Fonts

When supplying your application files, please ensure you include all the fonts used in your project. Your ‘Helvetica’ may be slightly different than our version which may result in text reflowing or dropping out entirely. Leading desk top publishing (DTP) software like Indesign CS4 include a font collection functionality (‘package’) to address this very issue. Also, you may wish to ‘stroke to text’ as available in most DTP applications, this function converts all text to graphics however the resulting file will not be able to have its text edited so be sure to keep a unstroked copy for changes. Bayfield Printing expects that you have permission/licences for any fonts that you have supplied with your application files.

Resolution

Images that look sharp and clear on your website or computer screen do not necessarily reproduce correspondingly in print. This is usually due to resolution issues. Your computer monitor, for example, displays images between 72 and 100dpi (DPI= dots per inch) whilst the printing process requires images to be supplied at least 1.7 times the printing screen frequency. Therefore, for when printing at 175lpi (lines per inch), images should be >300dpi. For our Indigo digital press images, should be >200dpi.

If in doubt whether a picture/s will reproduce ok you can send us the picture/s and we will give you an opinion on how they will reproduce.

Colour

Process Colour Printing uses four colours, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black (CMYK). Most images originate in RGB (Red, Green, Blue) colour space. To have the most control over your image you can convert RGB to CMYK before exporting to PDF or supplying your application files to Bayfield. If unsure don’t worry, Bayfield can convert them using the best possible conversion setups available, although this process can shift the colour somewhat. Nevertheless Bayfield will take the ultimate care with your artwork and strive to give you the best possible printed results from your supplied artwork.

Format

High resolution PDF files are the preferred format supply your artwork to Bayfield Printing. If you chose to supply application files, please supply an interchange file for CS5 as we currently only support CS4 or lower. For pictures and graphics we suggest you confine the formats to mainstream graphic formats such as: tiff, eps, jpeg & bmp formats.

Bleed

Where any image is designed to ‘run-off’ beyond the edge of the page (trim) you will be required to extend the image beyond the trim by 3mm. This process is referred to as adding ‘bleed’ and prevents white edges showing once trimmed.

Spot colour work

When specifying spot colour work please supply native files with all the elements like high resolution images, fonts and links included. Supplying files in this format will allow our prepress team to add trapping for these jobs. If you only can supply a PDF file ensure that the spot colours required are in separate colour spaces and don’t convert to CMYK.

Individualisation (Variable data)

When supplying art files for individualisation jobs please supply any application files (with links & fonts) in Adobe CS3 or lower or supply in Adobe CS Interchange file. We can also use your high resolution .PDF files but we will have to overset the text where the individualisation occurs. Regarding the variable data file, it should be supplied in a MS Excel file (.xls) with each field of variable date in a separate column.

Editing your files

Bayfield can edit your application files and do some basic editing on supplied .PDF files in both cases a new proof will have to be supplied so you can advise the changes are OK before Bayfield can start printing your job.

Hardcopy proofing

Bayfield uses its digital press for all proofing, therein the printed output from the digital press is identical to the proof so you can expect your proofs and digitally printed items to match very closely. Material printed on Bayfield’s offset press also closely matches its digital proofs however due to the process differences between digital and offset printing there may be some slight colour variation between the offset result and the digital proof. If the proposed print job’s colour is hyper-critical a press check can be requested.

Softproofing

Due to the demand for faster delivery times, many of our clients are opting to receive a softproof instead. This takes the form of a PDF proof that can be emailed to the client. What is seen onscreen corresponds with what is printed. It is important to note however that due to the various calibrations of monitors this process cannot be relied upon when colour accuracy is paramount.