Delivery specifications Visuals

Due to technical developments at our company, changes may occur in this. Previous versions expire with the latest version.

PDF delivery

Keep the following guidelines in mind when creating PDF files:

Create a PDF using our BIG Format PDF.joboptions (see attachment). This, among other things, encloses icc input profiles correctly. The compression setting has no effect on print quality. PDF version 1.7.
A different setting may cause a problem. So do not use PDF/X-1a, -3 or -4. (When a render intent needs to be used intentionally; please contact us!)
Do not place colored cut lines or frames around the image to be printed.
The size (or ratio) of the file must match the size ordered.
The trim box (the originally created net document size) is used to scale the PDF to the ordered size.
Supply with sufficient bleed! With 10mm bleed all around you are always right!
All fonts must be fully embedded or (our preference) converted to letter outlines.
Remove all invisible layers in the layout.
Do not self-divide images. We do.
Use short file names and no special characters, such as $%’_`(/#){@?}!}.
Do not use (completed) form fields in the PDF.
Do not use overpressure, this will not be implemented.
Complicated formatting with a combination of filters, patterns and transparent effects; always convert to hires Photoshop PDF first.
For perfect digital building blocks, use the points under “Other file formats.

When files do not exactly meet the above specifications, the print may differ from the intended result.

Other file formats

Are you unable to create a PDF according to our guidelines? We can also process the following file formats, but they are not our preference. Keep in mind the following:

Adobe Indesign up to version CC:

Always save the file as a package. The used

links and fonts are thereby

automatically embedded.
Do not place PDF/X-1a, -3 or -4 PDF files in Indesign,

Always ask for the original open source files.
10mm bleed at bleed area in document settings.

Adobe Photoshop up to version CC:
– Use only the RGB or CMYK color modes.
– Process the images only in 8-bit channel.
– File size no larger than 29999 pixels (width and/or height). Files that are larger are resized to 29999 pixels.
– The last operation before saving for printing is:
Create one layer in the layers window.
– When saving the file, choose save option including icc profile. (Preferred Coated Fogra27 or sRGB)

Adobe Illustrator up to version CC:
– Always convert fonts to letter outlines.
– Formatting in CMYK mode.
– Do not create gradients in Illustrator. See additional explanation. – When using e.g. filters and/or transparency, a very complicated formatting can occur. This file must be delivered in Photoshop!!!
– Vector patterns must be converted in Photoshop. – Save as package. This will automatically embed the links and fonts used.
– 10mm bleed at bleed area in document settings.

Color use in general

– You can submit in either CMYK or RGB.
– Do not use Grey-scale or LAB Color.
– icc profiles stored with the files are respected by us. If an icc profile is missing, the Coated FOGRA27 or the sRGB profile is used.
– Icc information and rendering intents of PDF/X-1a, -3 and -4 are not supported, we then use our standard; Coated FOGRA27 or the sRGB profile.
– PMS spot colors are converted to CMYK values from the PANTONE Color Bridge Coated library. – Note: Spot colors are always an approximation when printing. We will (by special request) approximate the spot colors as closely as possible through a test print.

– When overprinting and/or transparency are used in combination with spot colors, the chances of an undesirable result are high.

– Avoid overprinting (exc. of white print; see explanation below).
– When files differ from each other in color structure, color mode and icc profiles, the print result will also differ in color.

Black

– The deepest black can be achieved by adopting the following color structure:
CMYK 86, 85, 79, 100 or RGB 0, 0, 0.

– Minor tint differences in black in photographs, are barely visible in print.

– Note: In files where both photos (bitmaps) and vectors have been used, it is very important that the same black structure mentioned above is applied for both (vector black and photo black). You will otherwise get color difference in the black within one print.

White

On a number of machines we have the “white print” option. Here, different versions are possible for various applications. Call us for technical assistance with file formatting.

Color gradients

The best results are achieved by creating the verlooptinten in the base in Photoshop in high resolution. Then add a little noise. When you create a color gradient in any other way, e.g., in Illustrator, streaking (banding) may occur. This striation in a gradient can also be seen in the file itself.

Resolution

Outdoor and remote: 12 dpi to 30 dpi (at final size) application: large canvases
Outdoor and close: 30 dpi to 70 dpi (at final size) application: medium-sized canvases
Indoor and remote: 30 dpi to 70 dpi (at final size) application: medium-sized canvases
Indoor and close: 70 dpi to 120 dpi (at final size) application: small signs/displays

Example: For photos (bitmaps) on a large-format outdoor tarpaulin, a final resolution of 30 dpi is more than adequate. If you are going to format this canvas at 10% of the final size, the images in the file must be formatted at 300 dpi.

Size

We always communicate width x height (WxH) in mm.
The format ordered in the order is leading for us and will be delivered as the net finished final format.
Files that differ with the requested format, but are submitted in the correct proportion, will be automatically scaled to the requested format. When there is a deviation in the width x height ratio, we keep about 1.5% margin. In case of a large size discrepancy, we will contact you.
If not enough bleed is supplied, your files may be enlarged a few mm.
This is in connection with any post-processing (cutting). So always make sure you have enough bleed.
By default, your files are automatically split when the requested size exceeds the print width of our material.
Make sure texts and logos are always at least 2 cm away from the edge or stitching! If you have specific wishes regarding the division, please indicate this well in the order, and we will take them into account.
When formatting, take extra account of stretchy materials such as textiles; important elements, such as logos, should not be too close to the edge.
If subdivided images are to continue optically, state this clearly in the order info!

Contour cutting or milling of shapes

– Make sure there is enough bleed around the artwork to be cut/milled.

– Use our Cutline-Spots for Adobe IIlustrator with our specific spot colors (see Appendix).

– Always indicate the cutting contour lines as a closed vector line with a Cutline-Spots support color (e.g. Thru-cut).

– Do not make the radius of the round corners to be cut smaller than 3 to 15 mm, depending on the thickness of the material. Keep the cut line very smooth and not too detailed. Ask about the possibilities in advance.

Optimal quality

– When your supplied files meet our submission specifications, we can offer you the highest quality prints.

– Make sure that texts and logos are always formatted vector oriented. And format photos (bitmaps) in the above advised resolution.

– Always use high-quality fonts. Convert these in advance to contours.

– Always deliver files with extra bleed. This bleed depends on the type of product and finish. With 10mm bleed all around you are always right!

Screen display Acrobat (Pro or Reader).

– Under Preferences / Page View, put
– ‘Use overprint preview’ to ‘Always’,

– Check under Preferences / Page View
– ‘Show illustration area, crop area and pass-through area’, – ‘Always show format of document page’.

– Then check the PDF files before submitting them.