As my design is at the stage where it would be ready to be sent to the printers certain specifications need to be set up (outlined by the printer) to ensure that the document is printed correctly.
Bleed - the area that extends beyond the actual dimensions of the document. Used to avoid white strips of paper should the batch be misaligned when cut to size.
Objects that touch the edge of the document require a bleed. 3mm is the standard required in the UK.
You would then add 6mm to the height and width of the document for example:
210mm + 6mm = 216mm
297mm + 6mm = 303mm
Total Document Size = 216mm x 303mm
Margin - to avoid objects looking like they are going to fall off the edge of the page or accidentally getting trimmed off. Margin is personal preference but 3mm, 5mm or 10mm are usually used depending on overall size.
Crop marks - little lines that sit around the edge of the document showing where the area of bleed ends and the proper document begins. Working alongside the bleed to inform the printer where to cut the document down. They are usually hairline of 0.25pt in thickness and are set in registration black.
File format - not all printers want the same files, you need to make sure you know what to send to them as it can slow down the whole process. Usually a PDF (optimized for print not a low-res space saver) a Tiff an EPS, Packaged In-Design file.
Following directions - this will save time and money and make sure that you don't have to get anything reprinted. Make sure to take time and double check that everything is saved and packaged correctly (important with image links in Indesign).
Image resolution - files and images need to have the correct image resolution (DPI or PPI), essential for the quality and reducing pixelated images. Generally it is a res of 300.
Proof - sending a pdf or jpg of the file along with the package, shows the printer exactly what it's meant to look like so if they open the file and it doesn't look like that there is a problem.
My document set up for print:
As I am also doing a coptic bind I need to take this into consideration so that it prints out appropriately.
It works out I will have 4 signatures of 3 (48 page total).
Booklet type: 2 - up Perfect Bound
Signature size: 12
Tick Print Blank Pages
Paper Size: A3
Orientation: Landscape
Page Position: Centred
Tick Crop Marks
Tick Two - sided
Short - Edge binding
Bleed: 3mm
Margin: 10mm
For the digital print room in the college the file format will be a packaged in-design file.
Digital print will produce a good enough quality as I am not working with full detailed images. It will also be a lot quicker than offset as it doesn't need the plates to be made and the mixing of ink, proofs can be approved quicker. It will also allow me to print on my selected paper with no problems. There is no minimum order for digital print which means it will be more effective as I only want to produce a small amount of copies.
RESOURCE:
WEB
- http://blog.spoongraphics.co.uk/tutorials/designing-for-print-setting-up-crops-and-bleed
- http://www.nikibrown.com/designoblog/2010/03/08/set-up-files-for-printing/
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