Handy tips

A perfect Composite CMYK PDF is required for printing, containing all the fonts used and the overprint for the black text. If the overprint is missing, it will be automatically added when preparing the materials for printing. To ensure that the text colour is an accurate black, it is advisable that you double-check that the colour code is K-100, rather than C-100, M-100 or Y-100. With four different hues of black, the printed characters will acquire defacing overhangs or 'oreolas'. This is especially vital to keep in mind when making advertising posters. For books, our operators will spot the potential risk in good time. Should you like to separate your black text or vector object without an overprint, set your text or vector object colour code to C-1, M-1, Y-1, K-100.

Another aspect that deserves a mention concerns the use of spot-colours for material prepared in CMYK. With Corel it is quite easy to correctly spot the appropriate colour on the palette. Yet when the default key is pressed, the user will automatically be guided to Pantone colours. The result on the client's computer screen and the digiproof may be totally different from the colour in the printed materials. Moreover, the use of one or two spot colours may be disorientating: it is hard to work out whether the client has expected spot colours to be used or whether they still mean to use a four-colour print as stated in the order.

Picture resolution should be 300 dpi, with colour profile Euroscale Coated v2 selected. If the resolution of a picture is under 175 dpi, alarms will sound!

For margin-to-margin pictures, please allow 3-5 millimetres each way for the bleed.

All fonts should be inserted into the PDF.

Cut lines, colour bands, or other signs should be eliminated before sending the file.