A lot of the colors you create in RGB mode are not achievable using standard four-color process printing. It is always best to create your document from the start in CMYK color mode to ensure that you have a better idea of how your colors are going to print.
If you need more vibrant colors, or an exact color match (e.g. for consistent company branding), than what CMYK inks produce, spot colors/PMS colors is your best option.
Artwork must be created with or converted to Pantone Solid Uncoated colors. If your artwork contains tints of Pantone color(s), it is recommended there be at least 25% difference between tints of the same Pantone color in order to see a difference in value once printed. Our uncoated paper stock absorbs the ink at a higher rate than conventional coated papers.
You can make sure artwork contains only Pantone colors by following these steps:
- Save your file as a PDF, open in Adobe Acrobat, click Advanced > Print Production > Output Preview.
- “Spot Plates” should show in this window with your Pantone number(s) listed below. Make sure there is a “U” after the Pantone number as we print using Pantone Solid Uncoated colors.
- If you uncheck “Spot Plates,” your entire artwork should disappear except for any printer’s marks. If any artwork is still visible, it means that those elements are still in CMYK color and need to be converted to Pantones. We can assist you with changing this if you need.
For full color printing, you must save documents in CMYK color mode. You can make sure artwork contains only CMYK by following these steps:
- Save your file as a PDF, open in Adobe Acrobat, click Advanced > Print Production > Output Preview.
- Only “Process Plates” should show in this window. If “Spot Plates” also shows up, there are Pantone color(s) in the artwork which need to be converted to CMYK. We can assist with changing this if you need.
Convert all text to outlines or paths. If you require us to do any text editing, do not convert text to outlines or paths, but instead e-mail the font files used in your artwork.
TYPE > Select All > Create Outlines
Artwork for letterpress must be in vector (Adobe Illustrator) format. Please convert text to outlines or paths. Letterpress portions of art files must be sent as a separate file. We may be able to convert non-vector artwork- send file to sales@greenfieldpaper.com to find out.
We recommend avoiding full flooded ink coverage on the entire piece. Since the paper is handmade and uncoated, the ink may not absorb 100% evenly over the entire surface on large ink coverage areas. Exceptions: a 3″ x 3″, or smaller, size flood is acceptable.
Bleeds allow you to run artwork to the edge of a page. On the press, the artwork is printed on a large sheet of paper and then trimmed down to size. If you do not allow for a 1/8 of an inch bleed, any misalignment while cutting will result with the artwork not running to the edge of the paper.
Crop marks indicate where to cut or trim the paper. You may submit your artwork with crop marks or other printer’s marks, but it is not necessary. If your piece has a bleed, just make sure to include the minimum 0.125″ extra area in your artwork.
The live area is the print area that is deemed “safe” from slight movement during trimming. It is recommended to keep any text or important graphic elements a minimum of 0.125″ in from the trimmed edge on all sides.
For non-vector artwork, 300 dpi at 100% is recommended. Vector (Adobe Illustrator) based art files are preferred for Pantone/Offset printing. High quality JPEGs are preferred for full color (CMYK/Digital) printing.
Saving Your File into Accepted File Formats
- Save as EPS or PDF (for PDF make sure “Preserve Illustrator editing capabilities” is checked when saving). If there are any linked images in your artwork, embed them or e-mail them as separate files.
- Create the file in CYMK color mode
- Remember to include a bleed
- Add Guides to show trim area or crop marks
- Save all type in outline format
- Name layers clearly if using spot colors and UV varnish/coating
- Link files and provide a folder with linked files to the printer
- Most printers will accept high resolution PDFs, AI, and EPS files from Illustrator
- Save as PSD, PDF, or TIFF (for PDF make sure “Preserve Photoshop editing capabilities” is checked when saving). Image size must be printed size plus 1/8″ bleed all around if necessary.
- Create the file in CYMK color mode
- Remember to include a bleed
- Add Guides to show trim area or crop marks
- Save all type in outline format
- Name layers clearly if using spot colors and UV varnish/coating
- Rasterize vector layers
- Provide a layered PSD file if you have spots colors
- Most printers will accept TIFF, EPS, PSD, and PDF files created in Photoshop
- Save all type in outline format
- Save as packaged InDesign file or as PDF. When exporting as PDF, select “PDFX-1a” or “High Quality Print” as Adobe PDF Preset. Under “Marks and Bleeds,” check “Crop Marks” and “Use Document Bleed Settings.”
- Create a file with a bleed
- Remove unused colors
- Name layers clearly if UV varnish/coating
- Package the file
- Check colors, images and image sizes
- Save Packaged folder
- Zip the file if you are uploading to an online printer
- Most printers will accept high resolution PDFs and collective native files from InDesign
We do not prefer receiving artwork created in these programs, however if you save as a PDF, we will work with the file but may have certain limitations.