Show me the proof!

Proofing is an important part of the design and print process; it's vital that the finished job looks like you imagined it would, and the content is correct. 10,000 full colour brochures with the wrong phone number on them are no good to anyone!

During the initial design phase PDF (portable document format) files, are a perfectly acceptable method of proofing. They're ideal as they're small enough to email and look the same regardless of the computer system that you're using. For smaller jobs (business cards, flyers etc) a PDF proof is usually adequate. I can supply colour laser proofs and paper samples before the final sign-off at no extra charge.

All full colour jobs have a digital proof supplied before going on the press. This provides an ideal opportunity to check for errors that may not be apparent from viewing a PDF on screen (colour, overprints etc) as well giving the content a final read.

In order to read PDF files you'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. It's a free download here.

Need a barcode?

I can generate most barcode types and save them as postscript files for placement in your page layout programme.

Let me know the barcode type and number/s (including verifier if applicable) and I'll email or post the file/s back to you.

The price per barcode is £5.00 plus VAT. Discount available for sequential runs. Strictly payment with first order (see terms and conditions)

Useful information

Paper sizes

A0

A1

A2

A3

A4

A5

A6

841 x 1189mm

594 x 841mm

420 x 594mm

297 x 420mm

210 x 297mm

148 x 210mm

105 x 148mm

About colours

Full colour printing uses four colours: cyan, magenta, yellow and black (referred to as cmyk). These four colours are combined to create photographic quality images as seen in catalogues and brochures.

Business stationery and flyers are normally printed using 'spot' colours. These colours are pre-mixed to match swatches and provide the safest and easiest method of ensuring consistent colour time after time. The most popular supplier of pre-mixed ink in the UK is Pantone. Their inks are normally identified by numbers; for example, Pantone 021 is orange. Black can also be considered as a spot colour. So, for example, a business card printed using Pantone 021 and black would be described as a 'two colour' job.

About file formats

Images used on websites are formed by grouping pixels together. These files (normally .gif or .jpeg) are rarely suitable for high-end printing as they have been saved at a low resolution to speed up internet browsing. In general, files to be used in print should have a minimum resolution of 300 pixels per inch at 100%.

Logos are often drawn in a format referred to as 'vector'. These files (normally .eps) are formed using lines connected by mathematical co-ordinates. As a result, vector images can be infinitely enlarged with no loss of quality; edges still remain crisp.