Artwork and Design Guidelines
What file types do you accept?
Our support guide on supplying artwork has everything you need to know about file types.
Sufficed to say, we accept a PDF compatible files.
We request all our artwork to be supplied as high resolution (300dpi). You must correctly prepare your PDF file. These options must be set for commercial printing:
- Resolution - Choose High Resolution
- Compression Settings - For colour and greyscale this should be downsampled to 300dpi with "auto compression" set on high
- Font Embedding - Should be set to "embed all fonts"
Colour needs to be set as CMYK not RGB .
What is the maximum file size for uploading my artwork?
Our maximum size upload is 100MB.
If you need any help, please call 020 8507 300.
My file is over 100MB how can I send it to you?
We would recommend WeTransferas it is free to use and you can send files up to 2GB. All you need to do is enter the email address you need to send the artwork (if you have not been provided with an email address, please send to info@printtraders.co.uk), provide your address, select your file, add a message (if you are sending artwork for a web order, quote the order reference in the message) and press transfer.
What are Trim, Bleeds and Safe Margins?
Our support guide on Bleedhas everything you need to know about Trim, Bleed and Safe Margins, including images and examples that explain these ideas in more detail.
The Trim lines help indicate where the product is cut down to the desired size and refers to the end of the paper or finished size of a product.
The Bleed is the area to be trimmed and ensures that no unprinted edges occur in the final trimmed document.
The Safe Margin is the area between the text and graphics that are not meant to be trimmed.
We print in CMYK. When providing artwork, the colour needs to be set as CMYK not RGB. Otherwise RGB artwork will be converted automatically to CMYK which may affect your colours.
VAT
Once your order has been dispatched, you will be emailed a VAT invoice. If you need an invoice for an older order, please call us on 02085073000 and we will arrange for a copy of your invoice to be sent through to you.
Why do I have VAT on my order?
Some types of printing are subject to VAT dependent on the content of the artwork being printed on them. For example, a flyer is normally zero-rated, however if the artwork being printed onto it contains a form, or could be deemed to be a voucher (e.g. bring this flyer with you and receive 10% off your meal) then the item becomes standard rated, and VAT will have to be charged on it.
All business stationery, posters, roller banners and exhibition stands are subject to VAT.
This is only a small snippet of the VAT rules for printed products for more information please see our VAT Support Guide.
What VAT rates will I be charged?
The current VAT rate for standard rated printed products is 20%.