How To Save Time & Money Creating Files For Color Printing

Being an online printing service we get a lot of customer files with production errors that slow down the job and can cost more money if the printing service has to fix it for you. Here are some tips and a checklist on how to create your own files.

File Submission Checklist:
Before uploading your files, make sure you check this list:

• RESOLUTION
All images must be 300 DPI to print the highest detail. Any DPI lower than 300 will diminish the printing quality. You cannot use images copied from your monitor, as they are only 72 DPI.

• CMYK
All files must be converted from RGB to CYMK (process colors). Do not use any other color system or the color will not be accurate to the image.

• BLEED
If you want to extend printing to the edges of the paper (bleed), be sure to extend a 1/8-inch (.125) all around. This will make sure you get a perfect edge.

• TRIM AREA
All borders that include text or images should be within 1/4 inch (.25) from the edge of the trim. Free templates are available with most online printing services.

• CROPMARKS
Cropmarks are very important if you are using spot UV coating or any place a mask is needed. They give the exact positioning of the mask or layer.

• RICH BLACK
Black backgrounds should have percentages of 60% cyan, 40% magenta, 40% yellow and 100%. Black. Blacks on your screen will look the same but when it prints, it will be dramatically different. Make sure type is only at 100% black especially fonts under 28pt. for readability.

• FONTS
High resolution PDF are preferred and it will speed up processing. Fonts should be embedded to avoid problems.

• SPOT UV or Foil masks
Jobs with spot UV coating or foil need an additional 100% grayscale black mask that specifies the position of the UV or foil positioning.

If you follow the above 8 steps, your files will pass the preflight test that will speed up the process and save a lot of time & money.

CREATING A CYMK BLUE FOR PRINTING

Many people are surprised when they receive their printed piece to find that the color blue they wanted has now become purple. What they are not aware of is that blue is close to purple in the CMYK spectrum. Because monitors as well as some programs being used are in RGB, they do not see the changes that are made when printing converts their files from RGB to CYMK.

WHAT IS CYMK?

RGB refers to the primary colors of light, Red, Green and Blue, that are used in monitors, television screens, digital cameras and scanners. CMYK refers to the primary colors of pigment: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. These are the inks used on the press in “4-color process printing”, commonly referred to as “full color printing”. The combination of RGB light creates white, while the combination of CMYK inks creates black. Therefore, it is physically impossible for the printing press to exactly reproduce colors as we see them on our monitors.

Many programs such as photoshop and illustrator have the capability to convert the layout/images from the RGB color space to the CMYK color space. We request that you convert your colors from RGB to CMYK if your tools allow you to. By doing it yourself, you have maximum control over the results. Especially with blues, You willy notice a shift in color when converting from RGB to CMYK. If you do not like the appearance in CMYK, we recommend that you make adjustments while working in CMYK.

WHAT TO DO SO YOUR BLUE IS NOT PURPLE?

blue rgb vs Cymk blue

BLUE in RGB vs CYMK

When using a blue in your design, always make sure to leave at least a 30% difference in your Cyan and Magenta values.
Here is an example of how your screen blue can print completely different from your print blue. (100% C 100% M 0% Y 0% K) See the result…

Remember, use a low amount of magenta whenever using high amounts of cyan to avoid purple. This problem does not always show up on proofs due to RGB monitors.

SUGGESTION FOR THE COLOR BLUE

A pleasing shade of blue may be 100-70-0-15. The more black added the darker the color. For those of you wanted to use a reflex blue, it is impossible for the printing to achieve this. The process can not duplicate this color.

SO YOUR COMPANY LOGO IS BLUE, WHAT TO DO…

The best suggestion is to work in CYMK. That is the only way you can be sure what color blue you will achieve. Keep in mind the rule of 30% and use black to darken or lighten your color. When designing for printing, you must use the CYMK color mode. That is the only way you can be sure that what you have designed will print correctly. Having your blue not turn purple is possible, Printing a pleasing blue can only be achieved by following the CYMK rule.