TIPS FOR THE CLIENT

GENERAL PREPRESS CRITERIA APPLIED AT THE PRINTING HOUSE PAAR

Brief overview of the criteria:

Preferably a PDF file suitable for printing, corresponding to the PDF/X-1a:2001 standard.
Bleed 3-5 mm on all sides.
CMYK color system or Pantone colors.
Images at 300 ppi.
Black text 100K black and with overprint.
Unassembled, i.e. each page on a separate page together in a PDF file.
We accept color profiles:
Coated FOGRA 39
ISO Coated v2
Uncoated / Fogra 47

Delivery of files to be printed:

FTP-server: ftp.paar.ee
by email: repro[at]paar.ee
on a flash drive, CD/DVD
file transfer with the help of services (e.g., WeTransfer.com, Dropbox, Ge.tt, etc.)

CRITERIA FOR PREPARATION OF PRINTED MATERIALS
Bleed 3–5 mm

All objects reaching the edges of the print must continue 3–5 mm over the edge to avoid appearance of white surface as a result of shifts in the course of folding, binding, cutting, etc. It is important to consider the bleed when preparing design elements and framing pictures, otherwise, something important might be cut off. The requirement of leaving the bleed also applies to adverts reaching the edge of the page and it is also necessary to ensure that important elements on the sheet would remain at least 3–5 mm away from the edge. Even the smallest postprinting errors are especially highlighted by lines parallel to the edge of the sheet.

Black and overprint

In order to compensate for small misregistration errors around black texts, lines and smaller objects on colored backgrounds, overprint must be applied to all black (100 K) objects. In the case of black objects where overprint is not recommended (e.g., large surfaces in case of which the image or color covered may gleam through), black without overprint must be used:

regular black (automatic overprint is applied): 100K
multicolor black or richblack: 100K-50C or 100K-50C-40M
black without overprint: 100K-1C-1M-1Y

Another common problem with overprint is that overprint is accidentally added to white or colored objects, which results in disappearance of text or discoloration. It is recommended to remove overprint from all non-black objects in the course of preflight. In the event of using trapping, overprint of non-black objects or fulfilling other special wishes with regards to applying overprint in the course of work, the repro must be notified thereof in each specific case and a functional organization of work must be agreed as well.

White text on a black background

As 100K black tends to appear too light in a large surface, multicolor black or richblack is often used in publishing, with other part colors added to black. When printing white text on such background (as well as on a dark picture or colored background), even the smallest misregistration errors make the text illegible. As a rule, in the case of a font using serifs, italics or fine lines, the minimum is 10pt, and 8pt for a font without serifs. When using multicolored black, 100K50C or 100K50C40M should be chosen for composition: both ensure almost the highest darkness (density) that can be achieved in the printing process.
In case of a white text on a multicolored black background, the problem of misregistration can also be decreased by a 0.1-0.15 mm outline behind the text the color of which is black without overprint (100K-1C-1M-1Y).

Transparence vs clipping

Even though newer versions of photo editing, graphics and publishing software offer an option to leave a part of the image transparent (transparency), add a shadow (dropshadow) or use some other similar special effects, these cannot be realized in the PDF version 1.3, on which the PDF/X-1a standard is based; in the case of new versions of PDF, however, the printing outcome often depends on the printer or RIP used and cannot thus be forecasted. Attempts of software programs to realize transparency in printing in another manner result in a large and potentially problematic PDF. Thus, it is reasonable to avoid transparency-related effects. If the design requires cutting of a picture out of the background, Photoshop clippingpath should be used, which is acknowledged in TIFF and EPS files by all commonly used publishing software.

Proceed as follows:

Using the Photoshop Pen tool, draw a line around the required object (works like the respective tool in Illustrator).

Save the formed boundary line in the Paths palette by selecting Clippingpath from the added menu of the palette and selecting the line you just made. Leave the Flatness field empty.
Save the outcome as a TIFF (or EPS) file and use in publishing.

You can also make a shape by using the CorelDraw software and place the image inside it with the PowerClip command.

Color separation

Color separation means decomposing of an image in the RGB color system, used by scanners, digital cameras and other input devices, into a color system suitable for a printing press, in case of four color printing, CMYK. It is often mistakenly believed that color separation means preparation of printing films or printing plates: in actual fact, an image is decomposed from RGB into CMYK, i.e. color separation occurs in the course of image editing in Adobe Photoshop or upon printing from the publishing software. The software performing color separation takes into consideration the parameters known about the printing process (Photoshop settings or ICC profile) and attempts to achieve an outcome as similar as possible to the original within the framework of possibilities. Thus, it is important to keep in mind that the separation performed for one machine may not provide the same outcome on another machine and using a separation designed for coated paper to print on newspaper paper may, for example, cause significant technical problems. It is recommended to perform most of the image editing in the RGB color system and separate the image in Adobe Photoshop by using an appropriate ICC profile for each specific point of application; as an alternative in the case of newer publishing software (e.g., Adobe Indesign CS), RGB images can be used in the layout, ensuring that the RGB and CMYK profiles are accurately defined and the output is a composite PDF with CMYK or with CMYK and spot colors.

Spot Colors

“Company colors” are usually defined through PANTONE® color codes, which refer to the formula of mixing the specific color. Thereat, it is important to keep in mind that one and the same color blend may provide significantly different results when printed on paper; for example, we can compare a sample of the color 123 on coated and uncoated paper in the PANTONE® solidcoated and soliduncoated color guide fans. In order to obtain a visually similar outcome, it is reasonable to define separate company colors for different types of paper as well as for different printing methods: for example, the equivalent of PANTONE® 123C (coated paper) in the case of printing a business card or a form could be PANTONE® 115U (uncoated paper). This is often disregarded and as the printing operator mixes the color based on the number and checks the outcome with the help of the color guide fan corresponding to the ordered paper type, the outcome may differ from the one desired. It should be also taken into consideration that quite a few PANTONE® spot colors cannot be produced in four color printing and the equivalents found with the help of a computer or a color guide fan may not provide the desired outcome; also, older fans and software are based on inks used in the United States.

In case of questions, please contact us:

e-post: repro@paar.ee
mobile : +372 557 5050

In order to ensure good printing quality, the printing house reserves the right to make inevitable amendments in the client’s files. The ordering party will be charged for the amendment of any material not in conformity with the technical requirements established by the ordering party as well as for any expenses caused by a material that is not in conformity with the technical requirements.