Professional printers, people help!

[k8_doran]

Hello,

I wondered what are the general rules I need to follow when concerning leaving space by the edge of a piece (to be created on the computer) for it to be cut, for example and other general guidlines when creating say an editorial on the somputer and then for it to be going to print? I know I should bleed the images off the page at least 2mm


Thank you

[Morgus]

Hi, I'm a graphic designer who sends artwork to the printer every day of the week.. and I've been in the game for 15 years. I'm not sure what you need to know but.. here are a few tips:

1) if you want a fold, then you mark this as a dotted line 'off the page' i.e. as where the bleed off is. So, for example, if it's an A4 DL leaflet (landscape A4 with 2 folds, so it's effectively divided into 3 panels), the you put a dotted line next (but off the page).to where you want the fold to be.

2) A solid line ('tick mark' ,'crop mark') means it will be cut along that line.

3) I tend to leave no less than 3-4mm bleed off.. just in case. Some printing companies can be a bit hit and miss with their trimming, so it doesn't hurt to add a few millimetres more on your bleed.

4) What software are you using, it would help me to supply more info.

I probably haven't answered your question.. but post again and I'll do my best to help.

All the best.

[k8_doran]

Hiya,

You have informed me a great deal actually, thank you. I was going to do the piece in indesign but thought I would probably use illustrator instead, so what sort of file do I need to save it as?

Thank you

[Morgus]

Hi,

If it's just a general layout, e.g. a newsletter, leaflet etc, I would lay it out in InDesign. Text manipulation is so much easier in InDesign. (and saved as an InDesign native file) The printer would be happier too. Illustrator and Photoshop are best used to create certain images that you want to appear in your newsletter. Then import them into InDesign. Illustrator files need to be saved as 'Illustrator EPS' and NOT 'ai'. It's is a 4 colour job the file should be converted to CMYK and make sure that any Photoshop images you import are all CMYK mode and not RGB.

I'll watch this thread.

All the best :)

[k8_doran]

Thank you very much for your help, I shall ask you anything else if needs be. It is also handy to know a graphic designer working 'in the real world' I am at uni studying graphic design!