1. Nobody enjoys unnecessary hold-ups, especially when it comes to printing. This guide is crafted to steer you clear of typical obstacles that can stall your print jobs before they even begin.

    Our robust order processing system sees thousands of print orders come to life every week. Yet, sometimes, challenges with the provided artwork can momentarily pause a project. We've affectionately termed such hindrances 'Showstoppers', for they stop the show until addressed.

    Should your order stumble upon any of these obstacles, you'll be promptly notified via email, detailing the specific concern and offering guidance on how to fix it.

    The good news? These setbacks can be averted. Familiarising yourself with these frequent pitfalls from the start is a smart move. For a closer look at potential problems during the proofing phase, our Proof Checking Guide is an invaluable resource.

    Furthermore, if you're looking for assistance on the best ways to upload your designs, our guides on How to Supply Artwork have got you covered.

    Let's dive into these common 'Showstoppers' to ensure your artwork sails through to production without a hitch.

  1. Unlock Your Artwork: Avoiding Password Protection Pitfalls

    A common 'Showstopper' we encounter is password-protected artwork files. When your uploaded document has security protocols, it blocks our access, preventing us from progressing the file to the production stage.

    To ensure a seamless printing experience, it's crucial to check and guarantee that your files are free from any permission locks or password requirements before uploading them for printing. In essence, ensure your artwork is ready and accessible for our team to work their magic!

  1. Navigating the Pitfall of Corrupted Artwork

    A frequent hiccup in the printing process is receiving artwork files that are damaged or corrupted. Such issues typically arise due to glitches during file transfers or from storage device malfunctions. If we encounter such a problem with your artwork, an email will promptly notify you.

    However, to prevent delays, it's always a best practice to double-check the integrity of your file before submitting it for printing. By ensuring your artwork's quality upfront, you can save time and help us deliver your print job without any hold-ups.

  1. Ensuring Page Count Consistency for Smooth Printing

    Mismatched page counts between the provided artwork and the order specification can lead to delays. If the uploaded artwork doesn't align with the pages specified in your order, it triggers a hold until the discrepancy is resolved.

    To avoid such issues:

    1. Double-check your order and artwork: Before finalizing your order, ensure that the number of pages in your artwork corresponds precisely with what you've indicated in your order.
    2. Addressing Over-Submission: If you realize you've uploaded more pages than needed, you can easily deselect the superfluous pages. Just click on the "DESELECT THIS ARTWORK" button for the pages that aren't part of your final print request.
    3. Handling Under-Submission: Conversely, if you've provided fewer pages than required, you have the option to re-upload the artwork to meet the order's specifications.

    Being meticulous about the page count upfront can expedite the printing process, ensuring that your order proceeds without hitches.

  1. Avoiding Inconsistent Page Orientation in Artwork Submission

    Orientation consistency is critical, especially for multi-page print jobs like brochures, magazines, or booklets. Having pages with differing orientations can disrupt the design flow and can pose printing challenges.

    To ensure consistent orientation:

    1. Check Before Finalizing Design: Before you finalize your design, ensure every page follows the desired orientation—whether it's portrait or landscape. Consistency is key.
    2. Use a Single Artwork Template: Utilize one template throughout your design process. This can prevent accidental changes in page orientation.
    3. Review Before Upload: Before uploading your file, scroll through each page to ensure consistent orientation. Pay special attention to any page that might seem off in terms of layout or design.
    4. Artwork Program Settings: Ensure that any software you're using to create your artwork doesn't have any automated settings that might change page orientation based on content.
    5. Consistent Page Dimensions: Minor variations can often go unnoticed. Always ensure each page has the same dimensions. Variations can lead to unintentional cropping or layout issues.
    6. Proofread with Multiple Eyes: Sometimes, a fresh pair of eyes can spot something you missed. Have someone else look over your artwork to ensure there's no inconsistency in orientation or other design elements.

    Ensuring consistent orientation throughout your document not only streamlines the printing process but also ensures a professional-looking final product. Always aim for consistency in your artwork to avoid potential delays and additional costs.

  1. Avoiding Sub-Optimal Artwork Resolution Issues

    The clarity and sharpness of your printed product is directly related to the resolution of the submitted artwork. A resolution that's too low can result in blurry or pixelated prints. Here are some steps and suggestions to ensure your artwork resolution is optimized for printing:

    1. Understand Resolution: Resolution, measured in pixels per inch (ppi), refers to the number of pixels in an image. For print, the recommended resolution is 300ppi. This ensures the image will be clear and sharp. A lower ppi might be acceptable for web, but for print, it can compromise the final product.
    2. Use High-Resolution Source Images: Always start with the highest resolution images possible. If you're using stock photos or graphics, always opt for the highest quality.
    3. Avoid Enlarging Small Images: Enlarging a small image will spread its pixels over a larger area, resulting in a loss of clarity. Always scale images proportionally.
    4. Vector vs Raster: Wherever possible, use vector graphics (like those created in Adobe Illustrator) for logos and illustrations. Unlike raster images (like photographs), vector graphics can be scaled without any loss in quality.
    5. Check Resolution in Design Software: Software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator have tools to check the resolution of images. Ensure they meet the 300ppi standard before exporting the final artwork for print.
    6. Exporting Artwork: When saving or exporting artwork for print, ensure you select settings that maintain high resolution. Avoid compression settings that might reduce the quality of your artwork.
    7. Proofing: Always review a digital proof of your artwork at 100% zoom. This will give you a good idea of how the printed product will look.
    8. Consult with Your Printer: If you're uncertain about the resolution, or if you receive feedback suggesting sub-optimal resolution, consult with your printing service. They might offer solutions or suggestions.

    Remember, the clearer the artwork, the clearer the print. Ensuring optimal resolution can be the difference between a professional-looking product and one that looks amateur. Always prioritize quality to get the best possible results.

  1. Understanding CMYK vs RGB

    Let's delve deeper into the difference between CMYK and RGB and why it's vital for print jobs to have artwork in the correct colour mode.

    RGB (Red, Green, Blue) Colour Mode

    • Used For: RGB is the colour mode used by electronic displays, including computer monitors, television screens, and digital cameras.
    • How It Works: It is an additive colour model. When all the colours are combined, they create white light. The more you add, the closer the colour gets to white.
    • Issues in Print: When RGB images are printed, they can appear muddy or off-colour because printers don't use RGB to produce colours. Also, RGB has a wider gamut (range of colours) than CMYK, so some colours that appear vibrant on a screen simply can't be replicated in print.

    CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) Colour Mode

    • Used For: CMYK is the standard colour mode used for printing. Almost all commercial printers use the CMYK model.
    • How It Works: It is a subtractive colour model. When all the colours are combined, they create black (in theory; in practice, they create a muddy brown, which is why black ink is also used). The more you add, the darker the colours get.
    • Benefits: CMYK is designed for print, ensuring that what you see in your design software is what you get when it's printed.

    How to Ensure Your Artwork is in CMYK:

    1. Design in CMYK: When starting a new project intended for print, set your design software (like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign) to use CMYK colour mode.
    2. Convert RGB to CMYK: If you've already designed in RGB, you can convert to CMYK. However, be aware that colours might shift, so always check and adjust if necessary.
    3. Colour Matching: If you're using specific brand colours, check their CMYK values and make sure your design matches them.
    4. Proof: Always get a proof before doing a full print run. This gives you the chance to see how your colours will look when printed and make adjustments if necessary.
    5. Stay Educated: Familiarize yourself with the basics of colour theory and how colours behave in print vs. on-screen.

    By supplying your artwork in CMYK, you're ensuring a smoother process and a printed product that meets your expectations. Always communicate with your printer if you have questions or uncertainties about colour.

  1. Safeguarding Text Clarity: The Importance of Fonts

    One common 'Showstopper' we encounter is the absence of supplied fonts or text provided as images within the artwork. Understanding the significance of fonts in print is crucial:

    1. Font Consistency: When text is created in a document, it relies on the fonts installed on the designer's computer. If the same document is opened on a different computer without those specific fonts, the text may not appear as intended.
    2. Clarity and Legibility: Fonts play a pivotal role in text clarity and legibility. Using the correct fonts ensures that your message is conveyed clearly and professionally.
    3. Print Quality: The right fonts are integral to the overall print quality. Incorrectly rendered fonts can lead to text that appears jagged or distorted.

    To ensure that your printed product reflects your design intentions:

    1. Supply Fonts: If your artwork relies on specific fonts, include those font files when submitting your artwork. This guarantees that we have the exact fonts used in your design.
    2. Text as Images: If you're not supplying fonts, convert text to images to maintain consistency. However, keep in mind that text within images can't be edited, so make sure your text is final.
    3. Consult the Fonts Guide: Our dedicated Fonts Guide provides detailed instructions on how to supply artwork featuring text to avoid delays and ensure your printed product matches your expectations.

    By addressing font-related issues proactively, you can prevent delays and help us deliver a finished print that aligns precisely with your design.

  1. Perfecting Trim for Impeccable Prints

    The trim process is a vital step in bringing your print to life. To ensure that your final product looks flawless and serves its purpose effectively, it's essential to consider trim-related factors during the artwork creation phase. Here are some key considerations:

    1. Bleed: If your artwork features a full-color background or elements that extend to the edge of the page, you should supply it with a "bleed." Bleed is an extra margin of color or image that extends beyond the final trim line. This ensures that there are no white strips at the edges of your printed piece once it's trimmed to size. Our Bleed Guide offers comprehensive insights into this crucial aspect of artwork preparation.
    2. Special Finishes: For print jobs that incorporate special finishes like Spot UV or Foiling, extra attention is required to ensure that these areas are free of edges, folds, and perforations. Our Foil Artwork and Spot UV Artwork guides provide valuable information on how to handle these intricacies.

    By proactively addressing trim-related considerations, you can contribute to the seamless production of your prints, resulting in a polished and professional final product.