Design Resources | Knowledge Base for common design requirements

Paper Sizes

This guide shows the Australian Standard of paper sizes. An ‘A0’ sheet is also referred to a ‘Flat Sheet’.

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Envelope Sizes

This guide shows the Australian Standard of envelopes.

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CMYK printing&PDF Supply

When taking CMYK printing, FOGRA 39, (more formally known as ISO Coated v2) (or its 300% total ink limit version), is a widely used colour profile for coated offset printing in Australia, derived from the ISO 12647-2 standard.

As colour profiles defines how colours in the CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) colour space are printed to achieve a specific visual result, it can be counterproductive to work form this as this only generates the PDF, which does not directly transfer through to the colour management in our print presses.

Colour variations in CMYK printing occur because each printer, ink batch, paper type, and calibration setting can differ. Even environmental factors like temperature and humidity affect ink absorption. As a result, colours may shift slightly between printers or print runs, making exact consistency difficult without strict colour management.

We prefer NO colour profile. Our digital & offset printers offer very close colours - but not 100%.
We print CMYK all day, every day and are proud of the excellent quality we offer, but cannot we cannot guarantee 100% colour.

Sample Prints.
We can quote to print a ‘one off sample’ so you can see the colours, however, keep in mind that this would be printed on our digital Indigo press, which can have colour variation to a large volume order that would be Offset printed..

If would like a formal quote for a test print, please advise if this is for a specific page (say of a brochure) – or the whole brochure &, and if laminate or print finishing is required (e.g. spot UV).
Keep in mind adding laminate or print finishing on a print samples can add a substantial cost due to the setup required.

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Setting up Acrobat PRO for Pre Press

The golden rule to check if your artwork is print ready is to use Acrobat PC. Acrobat DC is a professional program that comes apart of the Adobe suite.
If you do not have acrobat Pro, chances are you cannot supply artwork print ready.
The following video will show you how to setup Acrobat quick tools - for most common tasks
See video:

Here are the written instructions:

1. Click the '...' at bottom of the 'Floating Tool Bar'
2. Add the following over to the left buy selecting, then clicking the 'left arrow'
   - Use Print production > output preview
   - Use Print production > preflight
   - Use Print production > Convert Colours
   - Measure > Measuring Tool
   
   In addtion you may want to also add 'Edit PDF > Watermark' & 'Use Print production > Flattner preview'
3. Add separators
4. Move objects up & down to the desired positions.

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Converting Text to 'Outlines'

You may have only been supplied a PDF and don’t have access to the ‘source /working’ design file. There are many reasons on why you may need to convert text to outlines. These include

1. You need to edit the artwork, and don’t have / can’t obtain the font
2. You need to use text for print finishing (embossing / foil stamping etc). Although text is vector artwork, not converting the ‘outlines’ can result in changes to the artwork due to potential different version of fonts being installed.

There are some long winded methods to convert text to outlines, however if you have access to Acrobat Pro, it’s super simple:

1. Open preflight
2. PDF Fixups > double click on Convert Fonts to Outlines
3. Save file as (recommend at append file “OL”)

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Converting 'Muddy Black' to 100% Black

Chances are, If Canva has been used to create artwork, it will export the file with what is referred to as ‘muddy black’. Muddy Black uses bad values of CMYK which can result in ghosting behind text.

Text should be set to 100% black only

If you only have Canva created artwork; or Canva exported PDF, follow these steps in Acrobat Pro:

1. Find out the CMYK values of text by using ‘output preview’ & make note
2. Open Preflight
3. Ensure you're in Acrobat Pro DC 2015 Profile
   
4. Click the wrench icon
   
5. Find ‘map colour with specified colour values’
6. Double click the 'Edit button'
   
7. Add the source colour values in (Muddy colour)
   Add the required output (required change colour)
8. Click OK
9. Click on Fix button located at the bottom right corner of the Preflight window
10. Name ‘spot colour’ in this case “100% K conversion”
11. Save as

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Converting a CMYK image to PMS

If your design has a full colour bitmap image, but you need to print Pantone colours, you need to convert the RGB / CMYK image so you can assign a pantone colour.
NOTE: Paid version of Pantone Connect is required for Pantone colour assignment
This is how to do it in InDesign:

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Converting a CMYK image to PMS WITH TRANSPARENCY

These instructions help if you are printing with Pantone Colours, and your design has a bitmap image and you want to place it over a coloured panel without showing the white background.
NOTE: Paid version of Pantone Connect is required for Pantone colour assignment
Just put the CMYK values in of the spot color you want and then rename the duotone ink (with the exact naming convention of the pantone swatches) in the duotone options pallette.
You just have to manually put the info in. When the PSD file is brought into Illustrator or InDesign ir will hold the Pantone color separation. This is how to do it in InDesign:

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How to setup and supply a file for variable printing

Say you have a product that requires a different name on each item. This requires variable (digital) printing or overprinting. This can be done in two different methods

1. Design + .CSV:
   Supply the design, supply one page that shows the variable text in the correct font, size and position (keep in mind what the 'longest name' is and how it will look) + supply a .CSV file with all the variable data. Kepp in mind that one name should be per row in a single column. Artwork correction fee may be applicable
   
2. PDF Print ready:
   Supply the design as a PDF print ready (cropmarks / bleed etc) with one page per name.
   IF you have been quoted 'OVERPRINT' , then only the variable data should be seen (no other printed artwork). This is common for plastic cards etc where the main product is offset printed (shell cards) then the variable names are dgitally printed over the top

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Data Merge in InDesign

Indesign: Data Merge - for Digital Variable printing
If you are creating an individually customisable printed flyer or postcard, these instructions will get you on your way.

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Variable Engraving

Follow these steps on how to setup artwork for variable engraving.
Whether variable text / numbers or QR codes, we want to create multiple files and reference a spreadsheet.

NOTE: Adobe InDesign is required for this.
CLICK to download sample working files

Please note this is for variable text or numbers - not a 'business card design'.
IF you have multiple peoples detials (ie for the back of a business card) - these need to be supplied as complete designs; 1 person per page:
If you order has multiple kinds (artwork with different people / artwork). The job need to be supplied as separate files. e.g. if the order is for 5 kinds, there should be 5 x PDF files supplied (note above file layout).

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1. File 1 - SAMPLE:
   This file acts for communication purposes.
   It shows what is branded on the cards on the front and back.
   There are separate pages for the artwork that is to be laser engraved (both static and variable engraving) and visualisations (taking the black plating into consideration)
   
2. File 2 - SPREADSHEET:
   This file is that contains the data that is merged into the 'production file' for the variable engraving.
   CLICK to download template
3. File 3/4 - PRODUCTION:
   This file is what is used for production.
   Essentially it is a data merge ready file.
   IF variable engraving is required on two sides, two x of these files are required labelled “FRONT” or “BACK” .
   See DataMerge Instructions

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Installing Email Signature in Outlook

You have great looking email stationery, how to install it?
Please note these instructions are made for versions of Microsoft Outlook.

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