General Printing FAQ

As each job is different, it is best to let us know when you need the job and we can advise if that time frame is possible. We will do everything we can to try to adhere to your deadlines.

As each job is different, it is best to let us know when you need the job and we can advise if that time frame is possible. We will do everything we can to try to adhere to your deadlines.

A PDF (Portable Document Format) is the preferred file format for submitting a document for printing. A PDF file works with almost all digital and printing output devices. Most file formats eg. Illustrator, Microsoft Word, Adobe etc can easily be converted to PDF.

A Proof is made before the document is sent to the press for final printing. It is a one-off copy of your job sent to you for a final inspection to ensure that the layout and colours are exactly as they should be. By providing a proof you can be assured that every aspect of the files you have provided and what we have put together is correct. It is important that you ensure everything reads and appears correctly. Mistakes can happen, so it is important that errors are caught in the proofing process rather than after the job is complete.

Uncoated stock is relatively porous and is generally used for applications such as letterhead stationary and basic black & white copying. While coated stock has a smooth glossy or satin finish which works well for reproducing sharp text and vivid colours.

This basically means that an image file is ready to be transferred to printing plates without any alterations.

Colour separation is the process of separating a coloured graphic or photograph into the four basic printing inks being cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK). Single Colour Printing Plates are then produced so that as the paper feeds through the printing press, each colour transfers the exact amount of ink needed in the exact place, so that when all the colours are combined they blend together to create the rich pallet of complex colours required to reproduce the original image.

Halftone printing is the conversion of solid areas of black or colour from a photograph or image into an array of different sized dots. If you look closely you will notice the image is made up of a series of dots spaced slightly apart. However when looking at normal viewing distance these dots become essentially invisible and what you see is continuous tone.

A Pantone colour refers to a colour matching system used in the printing industry known as the PMS (Pantone Matching System). It is a system where colours are identified by a unique name or number, which ensures that colours are identical throughout different systems and print runs.

A6 Catalogues & Booklets (105mmx148mm) A5 Catalogues & Booklets (148mmx210mm) A4 Catalogues & Booklets (210mmx297mm) DL Catalogues & Booklets (99mmx210mm)

A5 (148mmx210mm) A4 (210mmx297mm) DL (99mmx210mm)

Envelopes have a size reference system to allow them to accommodate specific sheets. The most common sizes are: C4 – to hold A4 paper, C5 – to hold A5 paper, C6 – to hold A6 paper, and DL – to hold a sheet folded to the size of a compliments slip (99mmx210mm). Envelopes are available in Window faced and non-window faced options. Envelopes are available as Wallet, which open on the long edge and Pocket which open on the short edge.

On a typical business envelope the address window measures 95mm wide x 28mm deep.