Frequently Asked Question

High resolution artwork

When printing in colour the more detail we receive the better the print will look in the end. Very low resoution or small images will appear blocky when printed large. Preferable vector data should be given wherever possible. A PDF file can contain both vector and raster/bitmap data.

Vector vs Raster graphics

There are two types of digital graphics files; vector and raster. Raster images are composed of pixels stored in a grid, an example of this type would be a JPG image. These images cannot be enlarged without exposing their underlying grid of pixels.
Vector images are stored as points, lines and curves which are rendered on demand at any size, this method lends itself well to enlargment and printing at the highest specification any given printer can print at.

SFTP File Transfer

We can recieve files via our secure FTP server. In order to send us files using this method an SFTP client must be installed. There are many option, we recommend FileZilla as it is free and easy to use. Details to connect to our server will be sent on request.

Signatures

A lot of companies require a signature at the bottom of their letters, we can take a scan of a signature or a physical copy and use it on your letters. Please scan your signature at the highest resolution setting your printer is capable of.

Paper Weight (gsm)

The weight of the paper stock used is measured in grams per square meter, not the weight of each individual page. The most common paper weight for printing is 80-90gsm. Ascertaining the weight of an A4 page of 90gsm paper is done by multipling the dimensions of the sheet in meters by the weight. 0.21 x 0.297 x 90 = 5.6g.

Duplex/Simplex

Duplex is the term used to refer to printing on both sides of the page. Printing duplex can result in a weight saving for postage. Simplex is then single sided printing and is preferred when there is enough room in the envelope for the extra paper.

Bleed & Crop Marks

In order to have prints that cover the whole page to the very edge, it must be first printed on a slightly larger sheet of paper and then cut down to size. The bleed is the portion of the image which will be cut off and the crop marks indicate where the page is to be cut exactly in order to get the desired size. A large bleed area will allow for more tolerance when cutting which can be done to the nearest milimeter.