back to basics
Designing for print
Colour space data when the file is decompressed. LZW
Files intended to print in four-colour process
compression within the TIFF format is a
should be supplied in the DeviceCMYK
lossless method, replacing repeating code
When preparing a product for
colour space, and contain only cyan,
with a tag, which is replaced when the file
print, it is important that the
magenta, yellow and black. Any objects
is decompressed.
preparation and design of the
in RGB, calibrated RGB or LAB must be
Vector graphics
converted before being imported into your
documents is correct to ensure
Files originated in vector-based illustration
layout application.
software such as Adobe Illustrator should
that the final PDF will output
Total area coverage (TAC) have all fonts embedded or outlined. The
correctly and to the best quality.
Combined colour values should not exceed colour space should be CMYK and all
To aid you in this process, we have
300 per cent, although a lower percentage transparency must be flattened.
may be required depending on the paper
compiled this list of handy hints
Placing graphics
being printed on. This TAC applies to pictures
printed in colour – 300 per cent in the
When you place pictures in your layout
and tips for good design for print.
darkest areas, with a maximum black of
application allow a ‘safety margin’ between
80 per cent.
the edge of the picture box and any part
of the image that is not intended to appear.
Image specification
This will avoid ‘rebates’, which are particularly
noticeable when you place keylines around
Resolution & size
your images.
Colour and greyscale continuous-tone
images should be saved at 300dpi at a print Fonts
size relevant to its final size on the page. Do not style fonts bold and/or italic using
Bitmap images (linework) should be saved
the styling buttons in your layout application.
at least 1200dpi and preferably 2400dpi.
Always select the styled version of the
Resolutions lower than this, or images smaller
font from the font list. If this is not possible,
than the final size on the page, will result in
remember that not all fonts have bold and
inferior quality.
italic versions. Your screen does not recognise
Format & compression
this and will display them regardless of
Ideally images should be saved as TIFFs,
whether italic or bold printer fonts exist
but JPEG compression can be used to
(common examples are symbol fonts such as
reduce file size. The use of RAW files from
Zapf Dingbats or Symbol, for which there are
digital cameras or PhotoShop .psd files no italic or bold printer fonts).
are not recommended, as results can be
With no associated printer font, a styled
unpredictable if not properly handled.
screen font will output unstyled, as the
JPEG compression is a ‘lossy’ format where default font or not at all. Do not trust your
pixel information is thrown away to reduce screen – always check that printer fonts are
file size. Algorithms rebuild the discarded available before styling bold and/or italic.
10 headsup
s0961 headsUp3.indd 12 3/2/09 6:46:04 pm
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13