Print files

We require your print files in PDF, TIF or JPG format. Please observe the following specifications:

• flatten to the background layer
• no alpha channels
• no clipping paths
• save without compression, using interleaved pixel order

• use standard JPG format only, e.g. no JPG 2000
• save at maximum quality using Baseline (Standard)

PDF files must comply with the PDF/X-3:2002 standard.

• the PDF version must be 1.3
• no transparency
• no encryption, e.g. password protection
• all fonts must be converted to paths
• no layers
• do not apply rotations to the PDF pages

• After placing your order, you will receive a data sheet with the appropriate bleed allowances.
• Please do not add fold marks, crop marks or registration marks within the file dimensions.

• Photos, images and graphics: 250 dpi
• Greyscale and colour images: 250 dpi
• Line art, e.g. text in small font sizes and drawings: 1,200 dpi
• Posters and large-format advertising products with text: 150 dpi
• Large-format advertising products: 72 dpi

• Create your files in CMYK, not RGB.
• Do not use a composite colour (4c) for black text. Set black text to 100% in the K channel instead.
• For spot colours (HKS / Pantone), name the colour channel according to the desired colour value.
• Please note the following for spot colours: To avoid uneven or patchy areas, sections where another process colour (CMYK) is positioned over a spot colour must be set to knock out rather than overprint. Spot colours positioned over a CMYK colour must also be set to knock out.
• We recommend creating grey areas using shades of black to achieve flawless printing results.

Black and grey objects, such as text or lines, must always be created using pure black.

Example
Cyan 0%, Magenta 0%, Yellow 0%, Black 60%
or
Cyan 0%, Magenta 0%, Yellow 0%, Black 100%

Rich BlackFor black areas, a rich black can be achieved by adding other colour components.

Example
Cyan 60%, Magenta 40%, Yellow 20%, Black 100%

Depending on the desired appearance, other colour components can be added until the product's maximum ink coverage is reached. This is not recommended for text and lines, as it can easily cause registration inaccuracies.

• QR codes must be created in 100% black (C=0, M=0, Y=0, K=100)
• Make sure the QR code is sufficiently large. The more detailed and compact the QR code is, the more difficult it will be to scan.
• Resolution: 300 to 356 dpi
• Positive lines (dark lines on a light background) must have a minimum thickness of 0.25 pt (0.09 mm).
• Negative lines (light lines on a dark background) must have a minimum thickness of 0.5 pt (0.18 mm).
• Even when graphics are reduced in size, the line thicknesses must not fall below the dimensions specified above.

Avoid font sizes below 6 pt.

• Positive lines (dark lines on a light background) must have a minimum thickness of 0.25 pt (0.09 mm).
• Negative lines (light lines on a dark background) must have a minimum thickness of 0.5 pt (0.18 mm).

Gold and Silver ColoursLine thickness for design lines: at least 1 pt (0.4 mm)

Hot Foil StampingFont size: at least 14 pt; the thinnest part of the lettering must be at least 1 mm thick. Line thickness for design lines: at least 3 pt (1.06 mm)

Spot UV CoatingFont size: at least 12 pt; the thinnest part of the lettering must be at least 0.7 mm thick. Positive lines or lettering thickness (the line is coated): at least 2 pt (0.7 mm). Negative lines or lettering thickness (the area surrounding the line is coated): at least 3 pt (1 mm)

Raised Coating Font size: at least 12 pt; the thinnest line must be at least 1 mm thick. Positive lines or lettering thickness (the line is coated): at least 3 pt (1 mm). Negative lines or lettering thickness (the area surrounding the line is coated): at least 6 pt (2 mm)

• Lines should be at least 0.22 pt thick.
• Lines that are too thin are automatically increased to a printable thickness. (Lines set to exactly 0 pt are excluded. In this case, it cannot be guaranteed that the lines will be increased automatically.)
• Do not use borders to define the layout, as machine tolerances may cause them to be partially trimmed and therefore visibly uneven.