Print data information
Print data
Information on the preparation of print data for our advertising materials
Whether company logos, illustrations or photos – our prepress staff ensure brilliant print results on all pads. To ensure a smooth process, we have provided the following checklist for optimal data preparation.
You can download our checklist here for your graphic designer:
File formats
We prefer to process the PDF/X4 file format with the PSO Coated v3 (ECI) output profile.
We can process all file formats that are created with the programs listed. Please do not send Microsoft Word/Excel/Powerpoint files.
| Adobe Acrobat PDF (PDF/X4 and PDF/X3)* | optimal |
| Adobe InDesign | Yes |
| Adobe Illustrator | Yes |
| Adobe PhotoShop | yes |
| QuarkXPress | yes |
| * Fonts correctly embedded or converted to paths | |
Info: We can send you the InDesign job option (export setting), customized to our requirements.
Pictures
All files must be in CMYK mode for exposure. Please note a possible color change of the images when converting from RGB to CMYK and make sure that the color profile PSO Coated v3 is used when converting from RGB to CMYK and that the maximum color coverage is 300%. The optimum resolution of the image data is 300 ppi at a reproduction scale of 100%.
Tip: Available free of charge from www.eci.org
Color hint
For production reasons, black areas (100%) must be defined as deep black and created with the following CMYK values: C = 60%, M = 40%, Y = 40%, K = 100%
Tip: Grey areas should not be created in 4 colors to avoid a color cast.
Punching frame
If you have integrated the die-cut frame into your layout, please ensure that it is defined as a special color (name = die-cut) and is set to overprint (or multiply).
Writings
For correct exposure of your files, all fonts must be correctly embedded in the PDF. When delivering open data, all fonts used and all linked images must be included.
Tip: In the interests of legibility, negative fonts should not be smaller than 12 pt and positive fonts should not be smaller than 7 pt.
Embossing
If you have opted for a pad with an embossing process, please provide us with the element to be embossed as a vector graphic, in one color and at a reproduction scale of 100%, as well as your desired layout in the pad size for processing.
Info: We can send you an InDesign template for a leather pad in the format 240 x 195 mm.
Stand and pad formats
If you have created your design with sloping edges, you should allow your layout to protrude 2 mm beyond the actual pad format in the relevant places.
Example: Pad format = 240 x 195 mm
Your file incl. bleed = 244 x 199 mm
Tip: We recommend placing important text and image elements 5 mm away from the edge of the pad, as there may be punching or welding tolerances of up to +/- 2 mm.
Untrimmed motifs or borders, on the other hand, should have a minimum distance of 5 mm to the edge of the pad.
File transfer
| E-mail (up to 30 MB) | optimal |
| Online transfer (download link) | Yes |
| Data carrier (stick, CD, DVD) | Yes |
| Recommendation: Send the data packed as a ZIP archive | |
E-mail: imtc@imtc.de
