Project co-funded by the European Union

Files

Print File Requirements

To guarantee professional quality with every order, your files must meet certain technical criteria. Before using the “Upload Design” button, please consult the product template located below its description. It contains the exact dimensions of the print area, required bleeds, and safe zones.

File Formats and Standards

  1. PDF (Preferred): Use PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4 standards. This ensures that layers are flattened and colors are locked.
  2. TIFF: Files must be single-layer (flattened) with LZW compression.
  3. Raster Formats (JPEG/PNG): Acceptable only if they are of high quality and have a resolution of 300 dpi at actual size.
  4. File Names: Use Latin characters only (e.g., pdf).

Fonts and Typography: Size and Legibility

  1. Convert to Outlines (Curves): All texts must be converted to curves (vectors). This prevents design changes if we do not have your specific font.
  2. Minimum Size for Legibility:
    • Body Text: Minimum 6 pt (2.1 mm). Smaller sizes are difficult to read without magnification.
    • Headings: Minimum 10 pt.
  3. Light Text on a Dark Background (Reverse): Use bolder fonts with a minimum size of 8–10 pt to prevent ink from bleeding into the letters.
  4. Font Type: For very small sizes, we recommend sans-serif fonts, as the fine lines of serif fonts can get lost during printing.

Colors and Ink Coverage

  1. Color Model: Work exclusively in CMYK with a Fogra 39 profile. RGB colors are converted automatically, which often leads to “darkening” or changes in shades.
  2. Total Ink Limit (TIL): The sum of C+M+Y+K must not exceed 280% – 300%. Excessive layering delays drying and causes pages to stick together.

Proper Use of Black

  1. Black Text and Thin Lines: Use 100% K only (C:0 M:0 Y:0 K:100).
  2. Rich Black: For large backgrounds, use composite black (e.g., C:60 M:40 Y:40 K:100) to achieve depth and a rich effect.
  3. Barcodes and QR Codes: Must be in 100% K on a pure white background. The minimum size for a QR code is 2×2 cm.

Margins, Bleeds, and Safe Zones

  1. Bleed: Add 2 mm on each side of the design (for business cards and flyers) or 5 mm for multi-page products (catalogs). This serves as a “buffer” for the blade during cutting.
  2. Safe Zone: All important elements (text, logos) must be at least 3–5 mm inward from the trim line.
  3. Specific Margins: For spiral-bound catalogs, leave 10 mm of clear space on the perforation side.

Lines and Finishing Effects

  1. Line Thickness: The minimum thickness for printing is 15 mm (0.4 pt).
  2. Special Effects (Spot UV Varnish, Hot Stamping): These elements must be in vector format on a separate layer, defined as a Spot Color with the Overprint option enabled.

Important: PrintingHouse performs ONLY a basic technical check of the files. The platform is not responsible for spelling and punctuation errors or low quality of images provided by the customer. Please submit files without crop marks, registration marks, or color bars.