Print Resources
Preparing artwork for print can be intimidating, but by following a few simple steps, you can create stunning prints.
- First, ensure that your artwork is in the correct file format. Scotts prefer Print Ready PDF files as they preserve the quality and layout of your design. If your artwork is in a different format, such as JPEG or PNG, consider converting it to PDF using online converters or design software.
- Next, check the resolution of your artwork. For optimal print quality, it’s recommended to have a resolution of at least 300 dots per inch (DPI). This ensures that your design appears crisp and clear when printed. If your artwork has a lower resolution, you may need to recreate or resize it to avoid any pixelation or blurriness.
- Colours play a crucial role in print, so it’s essential to ensure that they are accurate. Convert your artwork to CMYK colour mode, which is the standard for printing. This mode represents colours using cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks. By converting to CMYK, you can avoid any unexpected colour shifts when your design is printed.
- To avoid any unwanted surprises, it’s crucial to proofread your artwork thoroughly. Check for any spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, or design inconsistencies. It’s always a good idea to have someone else review your work as well, as fresh eyes can often catch things that you may have missed.
- Lastly, consider adding bleed and crop marks to your artwork. Bleed is the area beyond the edge of your design that ensures there are no white borders when the print is trimmed. Crop marks indicate where the print should be cut. Adding these elements helps the printer accurately reproduce your artwork without any unwanted white spaces.
- By following these steps, you can help ensure that your artwork is print-ready and will result in high-quality prints. Remember, attention to detail is key, so take your time and double-check everything before sending your files off to the printer. Happy printing!
Here's some common Print Resources to assist with getting your document to us.
What is Bleed and How do I add it to my files?
What are Crop Marks and How do I add it to my files?
Adding bleed to a print PDF is a crucial step in ensuring a professional and polished final product. Bleed refers to the extra space around the edges of a document that extends beyond the final trim size. This additional space is necessary to account for any slight variations in the printing and trimming process.
When a document is printed, it is often trimmed down to its final size. However, due to the nature of printing, there can be slight shifts or inconsistencies in the cutting process. Without bleed, this could result in white edges or unwanted borders on the final printed piece, which can make it look unprofessional.
By adding bleed to a print PDF, you are essentially extending the design elements, such as images, backgrounds, or colors, beyond the trim size. This ensures that even if there are slight variations during the trimming process, there will be no visible white edges or borders on the final printed piece.
We recommend a bleed of 3mm for most print projects. This allows for enough space to accommodate any potential shifts during printing and trimming. It is important to keep in mind that the bleed area will be trimmed off, so any important text or elements should be kept within the safe zone, which is the area inside the trim size.
To add bleed to a print PDF, you can use professional design software like Adobe InDesign or Illustrator. These programs have specific settings that allow you to easily add bleed to your document. Simply adjust the document setup to include the desired bleed size, and the software will automatically extend your design elements accordingly.
Once you have added bleed to your print PDF, it is essential to double-check your document before sending it off for printing. Make sure all important elements are within the safe zone and that there are no unintended borders or white edges. This extra attention to detail will ensure a flawless and professional print job.
Adding bleed to a print PDF is a necessary step to guarantee a high-quality final product. It prevents any unwanted white edges or borders and ensures that your design elements extend seamlessly to the edge of the printed piece. By following the recommended bleed size and double-checking your document, you can confidently send it off for printing, knowing that the end result will be nothing short of exceptional.
How to Set up Clear Gloss Varnish
The Scotts Digital Print Presses are able to print with Clear Gloss Varnish, find out how to set up your artwork here.
How to Set up Digital Print Metallic Ink
The Scotts Digital Print Presses are able to print with Metallic Ink, find out how to set up your artwork here.
How to mark up changes on a PDF
The way changes are made to a document can have a big impact on the time it takes and associated costs. When we design a project for you, we take all of your material and content and use Adobe programs to create a PDF for you to view.
Once you receive the PDF, you may need to make some amendments or corrections. Luckily, marking up amends on a PDF is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate through it effortlessly.
Firstly, open the PDF using Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is a free software available for download. Once the document is open, locate the toolbar at the top of the screen. You will find various options to choose from, but for marking up amends, click on the “Comment” tab.
Under the “Comment” tab, you will see a range of tools specifically designed for making edits and annotations. The most commonly used tools are the highlighter, sticky notes, and the text editing tool. Let’s explore each of them in detail.
If you want to highlight a specific section or text, select the highlighter tool from the toolbar. Then, simply click and drag your cursor over the desired area. This will create a coloured overlay, making it easy for others to identify the changes you’ve made.
In case you need to leave a comment or provide additional information, the sticky notes tool will come in handy. Click on the sticky notes icon, and a small note will appear on the document. You can type your comment in the note, and it will be visible to anyone viewing the PDF.
For more substantial changes, such as rewriting or deleting text, use the text editing tool. This tool allows you to select and modify the existing text directly within the PDF. Simply click on the text you want to edit, and a text box will appear. Make the necessary changes and save them.
Once you have finished marking up all the amends, it’s crucial to save your progress. Go to the “File” tab in the top left corner and select “Save” or “Save As” to ensure your changes are preserved. It’s a good practice to save the document with a new name to avoid overwriting the original file.
Now that you have successfully marked up your amends on the PDF, you can share it with the necessary parties for review. They will be able to see your changes clearly and provide feedback or approval accordingly.
Remember, using Adobe Acrobat Reader to mark up amends on a PDF is not only efficient but also cost-effective. It eliminates the need for printing physical copies and allows for seamless collaboration. So, next time you need to make changes to a PDF, follow these steps and save yourself time and resources.
Getting the most from varnish and how to supply artwork
Scotts offer an array of finishing techniques find out what we offer and how to set up your artwork here.