A PDF (Portable Document Format) is generally the preferred file format for submitting a document for printing as it works with virtually all professional printing and digital output devices. By design, a PDF file incorporates the information needed to maintain document consistency from system to system. Most other file formats such as Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Corel Draw and Microsoft Word are easily converted to PDF format.

The technology of design, layout and printing has come a long way to the point where much of the work is done in a WSYWIG (What You See Is What You Get) digital environment. However, there are sometimes noticeable differences in colour calibration and spatial conformity from monitor to monitor and consequently from screen to print.

The web and what your cellphone creates will in most cases be an RGB (Red Green Blue) coloured image which is best for digital work, while CMYK is used for print products.

Certain RGB colours that you can see on your monitor (in particular, bright blue, green and red) cannot be replicated with standard CMYK inks. These unachievable RGB colours are said to be “out of the CMYK colour gamut.” When selecting colours for your print project, use CMYK colour builds to avoid potential RGB conversion issues.

All RGB files must be translated into CMYK. This conversion can be easily done in most image editing or graphic arts programs. Our print consultants can convert your RGB files to standard value CMYK colours for print. If you have specific colour concerns, you can also speak with one of our designers for more control over the final print.

You will have more control over the appearance of your printed piece if you do the colour conversion yourself. We want you to be happy, so please take the time to prepare your file properly.

No. White is not generally considered a printing colour as typically the paper itself will be white. If a coloured paper (something other than white) is chosen, then white becomes a printing colour if any text or graphics require it.

The basis weight of a given grade of paper is defined as the weight (in grams per square meter) of 500 standard-sized sheets of that paper. With that in mind, here are different examples of paper grades and their respective basis weights –

Bond – Most commonly used for letterhead, business forms and copying. Typical basis weights are 60gsm for forms, 80gsm for copying and 100gsm for stationery.

Text – A high-quality grade paper with a lot of surface texture. Basis weights range from 60gsm to 100gsm with the most common being 70gsm or 80gsm.

Uncoated Book – The most common grade for offset printing. Typically 50gsm to 70gsm.

Coated Book – Has a glossy finish that yields vivid colours and overall excellent reproduction. Basis weights range from 50gsm to 120gsm for web press and 60gsm to 110gsm for sheet press.

Cover – Used in creating business cards, postcards and book covers. Can be either coated or uncoated. Basis weights for this grade are 60gsm, 65gsm, 80gsm or 100gsm.

A proof is a one-off copy of your printed document used for visual inspection to ensure that the layout and colours of your document are exactly how they are intended to be. A proof is made prior to starting the final printing job.

Your approval on the final proof is the best assurance you have that every aspect of our work and your own is correct and that everything reads and appears the way you intended. Mistakes can and sometimes do happen. It benefits everyone if errors are caught in the proofing process rather than after the job is completed and delivered.