File Set Up

We want to ensure that there are no hiccups with your order. Correctly set up artwork is critical to ensuring that the finished prints are exactly as you expect.

Please read our Artwork Guidelines carefully. If you need any assistance, please call our Studio on 01297 444665 and we would be happy to help you.

Where accurate colour matching is required please supply Pantone® or RAL reference. We will match as closely as possible but due to limitations of wide format printers, cannot guarantee an exact match.

Layout

Artwork should be setup 25%, 50% or actual size. PDF template files for Illustrator (version 8 onwards) and Quark template files (version 4 onwards) are available for download.

Photos Scans & Images

Images should be provided at a minimum of 300dpi size for size and saved in CMYK format. TIFF file formats are preferred but we also accept images in any other formats including JPEG and EPS. Care should be taken when providing images in other formats as compression may be used that can reduce final quality.

Bleed

No bleed area is required unless stated on the PDF or Quark template file. Please ensure that images within the image box does extend to the very edge. Occasionally we notice that when working with layouts at 25% it can be difficult to see exactly where the image finishes. We recommend using a red box infill colour that is easier to spot when the image is magnified on the computer monitor before saving.

Colour

We recommend using Pantone® or RAL colour swatches rather than relying on screen colours. If you use screen colours as a guide, ensure that your monitor is correctly calibrated.

Logos

All logos used should be .eps vector files (these can be enlarged to any size without degradation of quality). If you do not have an .eps version, we can recreate from .jpeg or .tiff file supplied (approximate studio charge £45.00).

Fonts

When collecting files for output, please ensure that all fonts used are included (automatically collected in Quark5, 6 & CS). Experience has shown that whilst fonts may use the same name, slight variations do exist. Therefore we advise not to rely on fonts from another source but to send fonts with finished artwork.

Fonts used in Illustrator, Freehand, InDesign and CorelDraw can be converted to boxes/curves before saving to output and therefore no font files are required. To do this, select all and then convert in one action.

Artwork Charges

Our in-house studio is fast and efficient. Studio time is charged at £45 plus VAT per hour.

We have access to a huge library of images and backgrounds and an experienced team of designers.

PDF proof files are emailed to you for approval or amendment.

As a rough guide, banner stands take 1 - 2 hours and pop-up displays 2 - 4 hours. we only charge for the actual time taken, so if you approve after receiving the initial proof file, you will only be charges accordingly.

Media

We can accept files saved on

CD
USB Storage - returned immediately after saving to our network
Email - send to sales@c-s.uk.com (ADSL wide band width connection for fast file transfer) - MAXIMUM FILE SIZE 20Mb
Web FTP Upload - Use our account (access via 'Sending Artwork')

Mac Applications

We can accept files saved on

Adobe Illustrator versions 5 - 10, CS, CS2 and CS3
Adobe InDesign versions 1.5, 2, CS, CS2 and CS3
Adobe Photoshop versions 2.3, 3, 4, 5, 5.5, 6, CS, CS2 and CS3
Corel Draw versions 6,7,8 and 9
Freehand versions 3 - 8
Quark versions 4, 5, 6 and 7

PC Applications

We can accept files saved on

Adobe Illustrator versions 5 - 10
Adobe InDesign versions 1.5, 2
Adobe Photoshop versions 2.3, 3, 4, 5, 5.5 and 6
Corel Draw versions 6, 8 and 9
Microsoft Powerpoint versions 2000 and XP (requires transfering to graphics software - studio time charged)
Microsoft Publisher versions 97, 98, 2000 and XP (requires transfering to graphics software - studio time charged)
Microsoft Word 2000 and XP (requires transfering to graphics software - studio time charged)

Colour Reproduction

Whilst every care is taken before and during the printing processs. Creative Solutions will not be liable for any colour discrepancies, or poor quality image resolution, on finished products, where artwork is supplied by a third party .Screen calibration, and computer interpretation of colours and shading may mean that what is seen on screen may not be exactly replicated on the finished product. Customers are asked to provide hardcopies of the required artwork, if they feel this may be the case.

Sending Artwork

We can receive artwork in many formats. Please always send a separate low resolution PDF of all artwork so that we have something to check files against.

Email:
We have a very fast Broadband connection so file transfer is fast.
Recommended for files up to 20Mb
If you are sending a number of files, send them in separate emails to minimize file corruption.
Send to studio@c-s.uk.com

FTP Link:
For the fastest, most reliable file transfer use our FTP account, accessed directly from your web browser.
Maximum file size 2Gb (that's 2000Mb!)
Highly recommended
Click for link directly to our FTP account

Post:
Our preferred method, if time allows. Please also enclose printed proof of all artwork with your CD.

Studio
2, Uplyme Road Business Park
Lyme Regis
Dorset DT7 3LS

If you have any queries, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to help.