File Formats
Here is a breakdown of files we can handle.
Popular Apps
A PDF or Portable Document Format is our preferred file of choice. It is very versatile and limits problems like missing fonts, page reflow and other layout issues when printing.
As a PDF is a finalised format, editing or making huge changes may not always be possible. So please ensure you’re happy with the file you supply. Creating a revised PDF is usually the best alternative.
Some PDF’s maybe locked by the originator for various reasons. This also causes a few headaches. Please ensure all submitted files have no security restrictions.
Adobe Indesign (.indd) is our primary layout App. We use it for 90% of our workflow and is essential for our pre-press and printing stages of production. We can accept fully collected Indesign projects if you prefer. This also allows for last minute changes should the need arise.
Adobe Illustrator (.ai) is perfect for most of our vector design work and is used in conjunction with Indesign. We can accept PDF’s exported from Illustrator with images embedded and fonts converted to paths. Illustrator PDF’s can get rather large in physical size, so submission via USB disc or File Transfer Service may be required.
Adobe Photoshop (.psd) is our primary image editing tool. We can accept print files that have been designed solely in Photoshop, but we don’t recommend it. Mainly due to issues regarding fonts, file preparation and file size. Exporting files from Photoshop as a fully print ready PDF requires some skill and knowhow.
Microsoft Word (.doc) is a popular word processing application used all over the world. We can accept Word documents though they can be problematic when opened on a computer other than the one it was created on. For this reason we ask that a PDF is created from the source document to ensure there are no layout issues when it comes to print.
Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt) is a popular slide presentation application. We can accept PowerPoint documents though they can be problematic when opened on a computer other than the one it was created on. For this reason we ask that a PDF is created from the source document to ensure there are no layout issues when it comes to print. As PowerPoint is used for visual presentations, you should not rely on on the file’s colour accuracy for printing.
JPEG, JPG (Joint Pictures Expert Group) is a commonly used method of lossy compression for digital images, particularly for those images produced by digital photography. The degree of compression can be adjusted, allowing a selectable tradeoff between storage size and image quality. JPEG typically achieves 10:1 compression with little perceptible loss in image quality.
We can accept JPEG’s, but if your project requires images of high clarity and definition, we recommend uncompressed TIFF’s.
Please do not insert JPEG’s into Word Documents when supplying them. The JPEG as its own file will be fine.
Please talk to our sales team if you need help in supplying your print files. We can usually resolve issues with most formats.