Offset printing

We accept the following file formats for printing:

• Adobe Photoshop (*.psd, *.tiff, *.jpg);
• Adobe Illustrator (*.eps) up to CS6;
• Adobe PDF (*.pdf);
• Corel Draw (*.cdr).

Size Requirements

• "Bleed" (under cut) — 2 mm for sheet products (3 mm for multi-page).
• Design elements should be located 3–4 mm from the edge of the product (inward).
• Minimum product size for cutting – 40×40 mm.

General Requirements

• If the order is marked as two-sided (4+4 color), but only one side is loaded into the layout, it may be treated as a one-sided product (4+0). Due to automation of prepress file processing, as a result you may receive a product printed on only one side.
• If both sides of a two-sided product should be identical, you should either load the same side of the layout for both front and back, or submit a 2-page PDF file.
• When submitting a 2-page PDF file, there is no need to additionally load the second side of the layout or the original PDF file again into the back of the order. The second page of the PDF file is not displayed in the preview, but it is actually present in the layout. If the layout is submitted incorrectly (3- or 4-page), the result after printing may be unpredictable and differ from your intention.
• In products with single-sided lamination, the first side of the layout is always laminated by default (the first page of a 2-page PDF file or the side loaded as the front of the layout).
• Resolution: at least 300 dpi.
• If you forcefully assign 300 dpi to a low-quality image, its quality will not improve. In this case, it's better to replace the image with a higher quality one.
• All layers in raster layouts must be merged into one (Background using the Flatten Image command in Photoshop).
• The layout should not contain any elements or layers that should not be printed.
• All paths and unnecessary channels must be removed if not needed.
• PDF files should not contain OPI links.
• The layout should not contain any ICC profiles.
• Layouts should not contain "Transparency" effects.

Color Requirements

• Color model — CMYK, Grayscale.
• Black solid color fill by formula — C:60; M:40; Y:40; K:100. If done with C:0; M:0; Y:0; K:100, after printing it may shift to a gray tone.
• For white text on black composite background, we recommend applying trapping. This is an outer stroke of elements in one color with a thickness of 0.25 pt. Its percentage: C:0; M:0; Y:0; K:100.
• Blue color by formula — C:100; M:77; Y:0; K:0 (if a dark blue is needed, add BLACK).
• To get a purple tone, magenta should be less than cyan (for example C:83; M:93; Y:0; K:0).
• "Spot colors" must be prepared with the smallest CMYK components to ensure more accurate color reproduction.
• Gray color elements, for correct color reproduction, should be prepared in one BLACK color. If a gray background is needed, it's better to make it from 4 colors, with black dominant (for example C:20; M:20; Y:20; K:70).
• Single-color gray should have a saturation of no more than C:0; M:0; Y:0; K:80.
• It is fundamentally incorrect to set a gray solid with three colors without black, or four colors where the percentage of each is approximately the same (for example C:68; M:61; Y:61; K:50 or C:9; M:7; Y:8; K:0). In this case, there is a high probability of color variation across the print run and you may not get the expected shade. For example, the same percentage C:68; M:61; Y:61; K:50 can be set using the formula C:0; M:8; Y:7; K:87, and C:9; M:7; Y:8; K:0 can be set using C:0; M:0; Y:0; K:11.
• In 4-color work (CMYK), elements in "RGB", "LAB" color space, as well as PANTONE colors must be converted to CMYK.
• The minimum reproducible shade for any CMYK channel is 5%.
• When choosing colors, do not rely on your monitor display. Also, do not rely on a printout obtained from a digital printing machine.
• If a specific color is important, order a color proof before printing.
• Total ink coverage of images should not exceed 300%, and 280% for printing on offset paper.

Font Requirements

• Fonts in vector files must be converted to curves.
• Depending on the text color, the minimum font size should be:
  – for sans-serif typefaces – 6 pt (CMYK), 5 pt (monochrome color);
  – for serif typefaces – 7 pt (CMYK), 6 pt (monochrome color);
  – reverse out for sans-serif typefaces – 7 pt (CMYK), 6 pt (monochrome color);
  – reverse out for serif typefaces – 8 pt (CMYK), 7 pt (monochrome color);
• Using thin "Narrow" weight as a reverse out is not allowed; "Bold" weight is recommended.
• Using rasterized text smaller than 8 points is not allowed, otherwise it may be illegible. Defects related to font size are very difficult to detect at the prepress stage.
• Black composite color (consisting of 4 color components) is not recommended for fonts.
• Black text should correspond to the formula: C:0; M:0; Y:0; K:100.
• Text should be prepared with the smallest CMYK components. Gray text should be prepared in one BLACK color (for example C:0; M:0; Y:0; K:70).

Line Requirements

• Minimum line thickness 0.5 pt (0.17 mm).
• For selective varnish, using lines thinner than 0.5 mm and varnish fill density less than 100% is not allowed. Selective varnish does not transmit halftones.

Correct Layouting

• For sheet product layouts, a universal rule applies:
  Add 2 mm for bleed to the dimensions of the finished product on each side. All text and important design elements should be placed no closer than 3–4 mm from the edges of the finished product.
• For multi-page product layouts:
  Add 3 mm for bleed to the size of the finished product on each side. All text and important design elements should be placed no closer than 7 mm from the edges of the finished product.
  Also, for details on preparing multi-page layouts, see the appropriate section on our website.

Vertical layouts placed horizontally

• A vertical layout is placed "head to head". In this case, the rotation is performed along the short side.

Layout (front - horizontal, back - vertical)

• If the layout is composed so that the front side is horizontal and the back is vertical, the back is rotated counterclockwise by default.

Vertical layouts placed vertically

• If the layout is submitted vertically, then the rotation is performed parallel to the long side.

Non-standard booklets are accepted only with a preview showing fold lines and indicating the size of each section.

If you are not confident that you have figured out the rule for rotating your booklet according to our requirements, you should indicate the order of booklet pages in folded form in the comments to your layout. For example: "Page 1 - Happy New Year and Merry Christmas! Page 2 - Christmas tree in a ball. Page 3 - Congratulations with... text. Page 4 - Big Dream logo".

Layouts with creases and/or folds (booklets) have certain technical features in their preparation.

For layouting a euro booklet in our printing house, there is a standard specified below (front 100 mm).

When folding a booklet "accordion style", all sections should be of equal size.

For example, in a 297×210 mm booklet in spread, which is folded with two folds using the "accordion" principle, all three parts equal 99 mm.

The size of sides in a layout with two folds "roll fold" is calculated as follows:

Divide the booklet width (in finished form, without bleeds) by 3 and add 1 mm to the result. This gives you the size of each of the two parts "front" and "back" of the booklet. Then subtract the sum of these two sides from the width to get the third side, which folds inward.

For example, a booklet in spread 402×210 with two folds:

1. 402 (width) / 3 = 134 mm
2. 134 mm + 1 mm = 135 mm (size of each of the two parts)
3. 135 mm × 2 = 270 mm (sum of two parts of the booklet)
4. 402 mm (width) - 270 mm = 132 mm (size of the third side)

Below is the formula for a booklet with three folds:

• (a - 3 mm)(a - 2 mm)(a)(a)

back side respectively:

• (a)(a)(a - 2 mm)(a - 3 mm).

Where "a" is the size of the "cover" and "back" (size should be the same),

• "a – 2 mm" is the size of the third part that folds. Subtract 2 mm from the front side size,
• "a – 3 mm" is the size of the fourth part that folds. Subtract 3 mm from the front side size.

For example, we need a booklet with three folds that, when assembled, will be 100×200 mm. We already know that the "cover" and "back" in finished form will be 100 mm each. To determine how to layout the two remaining parts, from the 100 mm size we subtract 2 mm (third side) and subtract 3 mm (fourth side). Accordingly, 100 mm (cover) – 2 mm = 98 mm (third side), 100 mm – 3 mm = 97 mm (fourth side). To determine the booklet size in spread, we sum all four sides: 100 mm + 100 mm + 98 mm + 97 mm = 395 mm.

Also, importantly, be sure to add 2 mm on all sides for bleeds (for cutting).

In case the booklet has more than 3 folds and folds "roll fold", each subsequent side should be at least 1 mm smaller than the previous one.

To properly prepare a catalog file for printing, several conditions must be met:

• The layout must be in *.pdf format.
• It is not allowed to provide files in spreads; only page-by-page files are accepted.
• Bleeds on three sides should be 3 mm each (can be on all 4 sides).
• All bleed elements (photos or background images) should cover the entire area of the layout.
• Text and important elements should be at least 7 mm from the cut edge.
• Text should be converted to curves, or fonts must be embedded in the publication.
• If the layout requires selective varnish, it must be vector, positioned exactly where it covers the object. It must be assigned a separate SPOT color and named LACK, and must have the "overprint" attribute applied. Varnish should not go under the bleed or score line; minimum distance from the cut edge/score line is 5 mm. Minimum varnish line thickness is 0.5 mm and the distance between lines is the same.
• If foil stamping (for gold, silver) is required, it's better if the die covers the object being stamped with a 1 mm margin. The die must be vector, assigned a separate SPOT color and named ZOLOTO or SEREBRO respectively, and must have the "overprint" attribute applied. Stamping should not go under the bleed or score line; minimum distance from the cut edge/score line is 3 mm.

Requirements for layouts with spiral binding

• The layout must be in *.pdf format.
• It is not allowed to provide files in spreads; only page-by-page files are accepted.
• The block, cover, and backing are submitted as separate files with the part name indicated (BLOC, OBL, or PODL).
• The layout must be made with 3 mm bleeds on each side.
• Important information should be positioned no closer than 7 mm to the edge of the layout on three outer sides, and 15 mm from the inner side of the spiral binding.
• All bleed elements (photos or background images) should cover the entire area of the layout.
• If the layout requires selective varnish, it must be vector, positioned exactly where it covers the object. It must be assigned a separate SPOT color and named LACK, and must have the "overprint" attribute applied. Varnish should not go under the bleed or score line; minimum distance from the cut edge/score line is 5 mm. Minimum varnish line thickness is 0.5 mm and the distance between lines is the same.
• If foil stamping (for gold, silver) is required, it's better if the die covers the object being stamped with a 1 mm margin. The die must be vector, assigned a separate SPOT color and named ZOLOTO or SEREBRO respectively, and must have the "overprint" attribute applied. Stamping should not go under the bleed or score line; minimum distance from the cut edge/score line is 3 mm.

Requirements for layouts with adhesive binding

• The layout must be in *.pdf format.
• It is not allowed to provide files in spreads; only page-by-page files are accepted.
• The layout must be made with 3 mm allowance on three sides (can be on all 4 sides).
• Important information should be positioned no closer than 7 mm to the edge of the layout, and 15 mm from the binding edge (for thermal binding), 12 mm (for PUR adhesive).
• All bleed elements (photos or background images) should cover the entire area of the layout.
• The cover is laid out as a 2-page spread + spine + bleeds.
• The spine width is calculated individually depending on the block thickness.
• The offset from the spine score line should be at least 13 mm.
• Information on the spine should be positioned no closer than 3 mm from the score line edge.
• If the layout requires selective varnish, it must be vector, positioned exactly where it covers the object. It must be assigned a separate SPOT color and named LACK, and must have the "overprint" attribute applied. Varnish should not go under the bleed or score line; minimum distance from the cut edge/score line is 5 mm. Minimum varnish line thickness is 0.5 mm and the distance between lines is the same.
• If foil stamping (for gold, silver) is required, it's better if the die covers the object being stamped with a 1 mm margin. The die must be vector, assigned a separate SPOT color and named ZOLOTO or SEREBRO respectively, and must have the "overprint" attribute applied. Stamping should not go under the bleed or score line; minimum distance from the cut edge/score line is 3 mm.

• The layout must be made with 2 mm allowance on each side.
• Important information should be positioned no closer than 5 mm to the edge of the layout, taking the allowance into account.
• All "bleed" elements (photos or background images) should cover the entire area of the layout.

Standard Stamp

If this is our standard stamp (hanger, folder, standard stamps for which we have already made), you must download the corresponding stamp file from our website and prepare a layout accordingly, taking into account the following points:

• Crop allowances (bleeds) must be at least 4 mm from the edge of the cutter;
• Important elements must be at least 3 mm from the cutter inside the layout;
• Our standard stamp must not be compressed or distorted.

• The drilling location in the layout should be indicated by a dot of contrasting color in the CMYK color model (since it should remain after printing), with a diameter of 0.5 mm only on the front side; there is no need to indicate it on the back. The dot should be placed no closer than 8.5 mm from the edge of the layout, and text with important elements should be positioned no closer than 10 mm from the drilling point.
• Also, when preparing a layout with drilling, you must take into account our layout rotation features (described in the "Layout flip" section) and, accordingly, the placement of text with important elements on the back.

Saving files from Adobe Illustrator

From Adobe Illustrator, you can save to *.ai, *.eps, *.pdf formats

Before saving the file in one of the above formats, you need to convert fonts to curves. To do this, select all objects by going to Select menu — All, then go to the Type menu and select "Create Outlines".

Or use the keyboard shortcut:

Ctrl + A - select all objects in the layout,

Shift + Ctrl + O - convert to curves.

Next, check the color model; it should be CMYK. Select File from the menu bar, then Document Color – it should show CMYK Color.

If the layout is to be printed in four colors without using additional Pantone colors, you need to verify this. Go to the Window menu and select Separations Preview.

In the opened menu, check that there are no additional colors.

If they are present, call up the Swatches menu from the Window menu. In this menu, find the color with the following designation and double-click it.

In the opened tab, in the Color Type field, change the value from Spot Color to Process Color.

To save the layout in EPS format:

File — Save As… (Shift + Ctrl +S) and in the opened menu, select Illustrator EPS (*.EPS).

In the next window, from the Version dropdown menu, select Illustrator CS 6 EPS or an earlier version depending on your program version.

To save the layout in PDF format: File — Save As… (Shift + Ctrl +S) and in the opened menu, in the "File type" field, select Adobe PDF (*.PDF). In the next window, in the General tab of the dropdown menu, select the settings we previously loaded. Then click the Save PDF button.

Saving files from Adobe Photoshop

From Adobe Photoshop, you can save to *.TIFF, *.PDF formats

Before saving the file in one of the specified formats, you need to ensure that the layout is in CMYK color model and all layers are merged into "Background". To do this, call up the Layers palette from the Window menu (or press F7).

In the Layers palette, click on the selected button and in the dropdown menu, select Flatten Image.

You need to make sure the color model is CMYK.

To save the layout in TIFF format:

File — Save As… (Shift + Ctrl +S) and in the opened menu, select TIFF (*.TIF;*.TIFF)

To save the layout in PDF format:

File — Save As… (Shift + Ctrl +S) and in the opened menu, select Photoshop PDF (*.PDF;*.PDP)

In the next window, in the General tab of the dropdown menu, select the settings we previously loaded. Then click the Save PDF button.