Recommended File Settings

It's important that the files you send us are correctly setup so that we can give you quality you expect. If there is a problem with the output, please review our reprint policy.

We use two types of files, PDF and JPG (below we explain how you should set these up). If you have other sorts of files like Word (or any other Windows applications) then you can use the our print driver to convert them.

PDF

PDF is the standard file format for moving printable documents around. This section is designed for both new users and experts; we are trying to give new users some general guidelines, the experts can drill down into more detail. Remember though, FilePrint is designed to be easy to use, generally a new user will upload a file and get exactly what they want.

We print exactly what you upload!

Some Basic Things for Everyone

The solution is pretty smart, it will only give you options that are suitable for your file; it also takes care of all the complicated bits, so all you need to do is:

• Create your whole document in normal page order, i.e. page1, page 2, page 3. etc.
• You don't need any of the clever printing bits - NO crop marks or impositions.
• Don't leave any white space around the side unless its part of the finished document.
• Leave a quiet area around the document of 10mm, particularly on small documents (like business cards). You can have images and colour in the quiet area, but avoid text too near the edge.
• If you know what bleed is, great, upload with bleed and set it in the options. No idea what bleed is - don't worry - you don't need it.
• Fonts should be embedded. If you're no expert, don't worry, your software will normally do this for you.

More Advanced Things for Designers

This area is for the designers out there, if you are not a designer then you don't need this.

• Resolution: 300 DPI is ideal. Some applications output 'fat' PDFs, before uploading it is well worth optimising your PDF, if you have the tools (try Adobe Acrobat Optimise).
• Fonts: Must be embedded, but better yet, convert all fonts to curves.
• Colour: There are several issues around colour:
• PDFs should be CMYK.
• We do not support any colour profiles.
• Digital presses have a 5% variance on a colour, therefore, avoid colours of low saturation, i.e. cream.
• Flat colours tend to create a banding effect. Best practice is to saturate the colour and/or use a pattern, i.e. marble.
• Gradients also tend to band, so avoid.

JPG

JPG is the standard format for images.

Some simple settings for All Users

• Generally, any format of JPG will work fine.
• The JPG should not be any bigger than 0.5 MB, anything bigger will work fine, but will take longer to upload and preview.

Some Settings for Designers

• JPGS should be CMYK.
• JPGs should be set for 300 DPI, for the target size. It is beneficial to keep the JPG sizes down as the system will run faster.

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