Artwork Checklist - Get Your Artwork Ready for print

Incorrect artwork can slow down your print order or result in print which doesn't look the way you expected. Follow these checks to make sure your order goes through smoothly, quickly and looks fantastic in print !!

Converted Colours to CMYK?

All our print products are printed full colour Lithographically. Your Document is printed using a four colour process (CMYK - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Keyline Black).

It is important you design your documents in a CMYK colourspace. When you begin setting up your document, always select CMYK, if you have been working in RGB for web design don't forget to convert your colours to CMYK before sending to the artwork to us.

Traditional printers often use Pantone Spot colours when printing work. Like paint, spot colours are mixed specially and each colour is printed one at a time. As we use Process Colour, all Pantone Spot colours should be converted to their CMYK equivalent before your file is sent to us.

Correct Dimensions?

When designing for print you must ensure that you create your artwork in the correct document format.
We list the standard size in our print template table, along with the document size including 3mm bleed on each edge.
Click on the arrow images to download our print templates for all the correct dimension

If you create your artwork to the correct size with bleed, you will drastically reduce any potential delays.

If you require print using a size not listed on our site - please use our bespoke quotes form.

Added 3mm Bleed ?

When sending files to print we require your artwork to include 3mm bleed on each edge of the document

Bleed refers to the extension of any blocks of graphics or colour that you want to run right up to the edge of the cut sheet.

Without a bleed you can sometimes end up with awhite border around your artwork, where you haven't carried your design far enough into the bleed area.

You can download a template on the right which shows our print sizes with the bleed added

The No1 cause for delays in printing can be attributed to files being sent without bleed.

RGB > CMYK

Although we can accept files with RGB colour there may be a large colour difference on converting your RGB colours to CMYK. Please convert your RGB colours to CMYK and where necessary adjust them to colour you are looking for.

Spot/Pantone > CMYK

We print CMYK process colour instead of spot or pantone colours. Spot colours can behave unpredictably, please convert these colours to CMYK to avoid print problems

Grayscale > CMYK

Applications like Adobe Illustrator use grayscale swatches please change any objects using grayscale to CMYK before submitting your artwork.

Gradients > CMYK

Please check each step of your gradients created in applications like Adobe Illustrator for RGB, Grayscale or Spot Colours. Gradients should be supplied CMYK throughout.

Resolution at least 300dpi

If you are creating your artwork in software like Adobe Photoshop we require an absolute minimum of 300dpi, you can send 450dpi or even 600dpi if you prefer, the later two sizes dramatically increase the file size of your document. As a general rule 300dpi is adequate.

To ensure a crisp print on items such as text we strongly recommend creating all artwork in software like Adobe Illustrator or Adobe In-Design, these applications output text as "Postscript" data which means the text information will print crystal clear.

You can export PDFs from Photoshop, but please check that text layers have been preserved and fonts are embed.

Saved as PDF with Layers?

To get the best results we highly recommend submitting your printing in PDF format.

The advantage of saving as PDF is text can be preserved as text layers, this will result in a muchhigher quality finish than flattened text which you may find in JPEG.

It is important that you check your setting when exporting as PDF as some settings for creating small file sizes can result in a file which is simply a JPEG inside a PDF.

If you are designing your artwork in Microsoft Word we recommend using a Primo PDF plugin for exporting your design as a PDF.

Checked for Overprint Problems ?

To preview how your print will be appear when it is printed, we would recommend selecting Overprint Preview. This should identify any vector objects that have Overprint applied to the them - the object would appear transparent and this is how your artwork will be printed.

In Acrobat Reader you can select Overprint Preview which can be located in the Advanced drop down menu

In both InDesign and Illustrator you can view as Overprint Preview by going to the View dropdown menu and selecting Overprint Preview

Black

If you are using big areas of black in your artwork eg. a black background - we recommend setting your black as C 30%, Y 0%, M 0%, K 100% instead of just K 100%. On screen this colour will look slightly blue but in print will appear black.

Print Templates - Download our print templates to help you setup your artwork

Please remove template crop and safe area lines from your artwork before submitting to print.

Business Cards

Create print artwork using the correct business card dimensions and add a 3mm bleed around each edge. Download our business card PDF templates below to check your artwork dimensions.

	Print Size	Bleed Size
Credit Card Size	85mm x 55mm	91mm x 61mm
Folded Landscape	170mm x 55mm	170mm x 61mm
Folded Portrait	110mm x 85mm	116mm x 91mm

Leaflets

something about leaflets

	Print Size	Bleed Size
Credit Card	85mm x 55mm	91mm x 61mm
A6	105mm x 148mm	111mm x 154mm
A5	148mm x 210mm	154mm x 216mm
DL	99mm x 210mm	105mm x 216mm
A4	210mm x 297mm	216mm x 303mm
A3	297mm x 420mm	303mm x 426mm

Folded Leaflets

	Print Size	Bleed Size
A5 fold to A6	210mm X 148mm	216mm X 154mm
A4 fold to DL (Trifold)	297mm X 210mm	303mm X 216mm
A4 fold to A5	297mm X 210mm	303mm X 216mm
A5 folded twice (Trifold)	210mm X 148mm	216mm X 154mm
A3 fold to A4	420mm x 297mm	426mm x 303mm
A3 folded twice (Trifold)	420mm x 297mm	426mm x 303mm

Posters

	Print Size	Bleed Size
A3	297mm x 420mm	303mm x 426mm
A2	420mm x 594mm	426mm x 600mm
A1	594mm x 841mm	600mm x 847mm
A0	841mm x 1189mm	847mm x 1195mm

Booklets

Download our booklet print templates below to see how printer page spreads should be setup with bleed.

	pdf
8 Page A5 Booklet
12 Page A5 Booklet
16 Page A5 Booklet
20 Page A5 Booklet
24 Page A5 Booklet
28 Page A5 Booklet
8 Page A4 Booklet
12 Page A4 Booklet
16 Page A4 Booklet
20 Page A4 Booklet
24 Page A4 Booklet
28 Page A4 Booklet

Greeting Cards

	Print Size	Bleed Size
A5 folded to A6	210mm x 148mm	216mm x 154mm
A4 folded to A5	297mm x 210mm	303mm x 216mm
Square folded	280mm x 140mm	286mm x 146mm

Roller Banners

	Print Size	Bleed Size	pdf	jpg
Roller Banner

Outdoor Banners 2ft Drop

	Print Size	Bleed Size	pdf	jpg
2x2ft Outdoor Banner	610mm x 610mm
3x2ft Outdoor Banner	914mm x 610mm
4x2ft Outdoor Banner	1219mm x 610mm
5x2ft Outdoor Banner	1524mm x 610mm
6x2ft Outdoor Banner	1829mm x 610mm
7x2ft Outdoor Banner	2134mm x 610mm
8x2ft Outdoor Banner	2438mm x 610mm
10x2ft Outdoor Banner	3048mm x 610mm
12x2ft Outdoor Banner	3658mm x 610mm

Outdoor Banners 3ft Drop

	Print Size	Bleed Size	pdf	jpg

3x3ft Outdoor Banner	914mm x 914mm
4x3ft Outdoor Banner	1219mm x 914mm
5x3ft Outdoor Banner	1524mm x 914mm
6x3ft Outdoor Banner	1829mm x 914mm
7x3ft Outdoor Banner	2134mm x 914mm
8x3ft Outdoor Banner	2438mm x 914mm
10x3ft Outdoor Banner	3048mm x 914mm
12x3ft Outdoor Banner	3658mm x 914mm

Outdoor Banners 4ft Drop

	Print Size	Bleed Size	pdf	jpg


4x4ft Outdoor Banner	1219mm x 1219mm
5x4ft Outdoor Banner	1524mm x 1219mm
6x4ft Outdoor Banner	1829mm x 1219mm
7x4ft Outdoor Banner	2134mm x 1219mm
8x4ft Outdoor Banner	2438mm x 1219mm
10x4ft Outdoor Banner	3048mm x 1219mm
12x4ft Outdoor Banner	3658mm x 1219mm

Presentation Folders

	Print Size	Bleed Size	pdf	jpg
A4 Folder (short flap)
A4 Folder (long flap)
A5 Folder

Terms and Conditions

Terms & Conditions of Sale 'SWC Print, Stiff White Card, SWCiD and The Butcher, The Baker, The Candlestick Maker' are trading names of Stiff White Card Ltd. Goods means the articles or things described in the contract between Stiff White Card Limited and the purchaser. These conditions shall be deemed to be incorporated in all contracts of Stiff White Card Limited to sell goods and in the case of any inconsistency with any order or form of contract sent by the purchaser to Stiff White Card Limited whatever may be their respective dates the provision of these Conditions shall prevail unless expressly varied in writing and signed by a director on behalf of Stiff White Card Limited. Notwithstanding that Stiff White Card Limited may have given a detailed quotation no order shall be binding on Stiff White Card Limited unless and until it has been accepted in writing by Stiff White Card Limited. Any times or dates given for completion or delivery of goods shall not be binding on Stiff White Card Limited, insofar as Stiff White Card Limited undertake to carry out additional work for the purchaser to the value of the print element of any goods. Such liability may extend to delays beyond the control of Stiff White Card Limited including, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing defects in files, Bank Holidays or omissions of information delays in approval of proofs and non-performance of carriers. By their nature goods do not have a redeemable value and no refunds or credits for goods correctly supplied will be entertained. Design Service Our standard design service prices do not include the supply of high resolution files to clients. High resolution files can be purchased at an additional charge. Payment of goods All goods shall be paid for at the time of order. No goods shall be dispatched or collection allowed until paid for in full. Any work produced on an invoice basis must be paid within 7 days. Quality & Liability Any shortcomings or defects in goods supplied must be notified to Stiff White Card Limited within 3 days of delivery. Such goods must be returned to Stiff White Card Limited for inspection. Nothing herein shall impose any liability upon Stiff White Card Limited in respect of any defect in the goods arising out of the acts, omissions, negligence or default of the purchaser, its servants or agents including without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing handling and storage of the goods. Nothing herein shall have the effect of excluding or restricting the liability of Stiff White Card Limited: death or personal injury resulting from its negligence insofar as the same is prohibited by U.K. statute, or; Under sections 12,13,14 and 15 of the Sales of Goods Act 1979 to a purchaser who is dealing with a customer (as defined by section 12 of the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977). Print ready artwork is to be supplied, designed in accordance with the print templates and checklist. These are available to view on our site under "print checklist & templates" Variations In Quantity We will endeavour to deliver the correct quantity ordered. However some variation is inherent in the print manufacturing process and it is understood and accepted as reasonable that minor variations are immaterial and Stiff White Card shall have no liability in respect of such variations. No credit will be awarded on quantities plus or minus 10% of the print quantity ordered. Cancellation of Orders We reserve the right to pass on the 3.5% charge by our payment gateway to the customer. We reserve the right to consider any manufacturing costs or refuse a refund if production has began on an order. Delivery of Goods Customers should enter the correct delivery address in the delivery address fields at the time of placing the order If goods are returned to us as a result a delivery failure we reserve the right to charge the customer for a further delivery. Goods can only be delivered to one address per order Stiff White Card Limited shall not be liable for any costs, claims or damage arising out of any act of tort or omission or breach of contract or statutory duty calculated by reference to profits, income production or accruals or loss of such profits, income production or accruals or by reference to accrual of such, claim, damages or expenses on a time basis. The liability of Stiff White Card Limited to the purchaser for any loss or damage of whatsoever nature and howsoever caused shall be limited to and in no circumstances exceed the price of the goods. If the purchaser shall be in breach of any of their obligations under the contract Stiff White Card Limited may (without prejudice to Stiff White Card Limited's rights subsequently to determine the contract for the same cause should it so decide) suspend further deliveries of goods without notice until any defaults by the purchaser are remedied. No statement, description, information, warranty or recommendation contained in any catalogue, price list, advertisement or communication or made verbally by any of the agents or employees of Stiff White Card Limited shall be construed to enlarge, vary or override in any way these conditions. Any concessions made or latitude allowed by Stiff White Card Limited to the purchaser shall not affect the strict rights of Stiff White Card Limited under the contract. If in any particular case any of these conditions shall be held to be invalid or shall not apply to the contract the other conditions shall continue in full force and effect. The contract shall in all respects be governed by English law and shall be deemed to have been made in England and the purchaser and Stiff White CardLimited agree to submit to nonexclusive jurisdiction of the English courts. Stiff White Card Limited retains all copyright for inclusive design until such time as the customer pays for in full the goods (design and print). Upon full payment being received the copyright becomes the property of the customer.

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