The Think Digital
Jargon buster
What is a PDF?
PDF stands for Portable Document Format.
This is basically a file format that compresses all the elements from an application file such as text, fonts and images into a single file ideal for the print workflow. As long as your PDF is created to the spec laid out in our preparation guide what we recive from you should be what you receive in print
What is Bleed?
Think of bleed as a safeguard against accidental but unsightly white edges to your printed product.
If your file has any colour or photographic element which you want to 'bleed off' the edge of the document drag the edges of your coloured box or graphic to extend beyond the black line on your screen which denotes the edge of the document area. When you PDF your document you will have the option of how much bleed you want to allow for.
What is CMYK?
CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black.
These four colours are used in the 4 colour process printing - ensure all your images and colour swatches are converted to this for printing with us.
RGB which is Red, Green, Blue is the colour system used for web and screen applications only and will not produce like for like results when printed using the four colour process.
How to prepare your files for best results in the Think Digital workflow
At Think Digital we offer a full and comprehensive in-house design service but we are aware that often clients like to send us artwork files which they have prepared themsleves.
This is not a problem as we can handle files from a number of programs:
• Quark Xpress (collected for ouput or as PDF)
• Adobe Photoshop (PSD, jpg, Tiff, EPS)
• Adobe Indesign (Packaged or as PDF)
• Adobe Illustrator (jpg, PDF, EPS)
• Microsoft Word (word doc with image files or as PDF)
• Microsoft Publisher (publisher doc with image files or as PDF)
There are a number of considerations to account for when preparing your artwork files for best results within a digtal workflow - click the link below to download a handy PDF which outlines what you need to know.
Handy hints on how to prepare your artwork
If you are still unsure about any of the technical bits,
or you would prefer us to design your document for you
please call us on:
01572 770022
