Printers translation, please...

[MicahDB]

All,

I've been using Illustrator for a while; primarily for its ability create very crisp images (ex. banners) for the web. I need create letterhead and I have it created, but when I contacted my print guy this is the response I got.

"For the artwork I need outlined PDFs showing crop marks and 1/.4" bleeds".

Because I primarily work on the web, I was hoping someone could help me understand what I need to do to comply with this request. My document is standard page size.

Thank you in advance.

Micah

 

[apepp]

...the print provider is requesting fonts to be outlined, this isn't necessary though as long as the fonts embed properly in pdf creation...

...the bleed is referring to the artwork being extended beyond the trim marks, on all edges of the sheet of paper, this allowance is required if your artwork is designed to go to the edge of the sheet, generally 3mm will suffice...

...this helps the trimming when the sheets are in large stacks on the guillotine. If the odd sheet is slightly out of line when trimmed or bound together, then you will likely end up with slight white paper showing if no bleed is allowed for on the artwork...

...crops marks are either created in your output setup within illustrator or by using the crop area command or crop filter command in illustrator...

...if saving to pdf your crop and bleed options are in the 'save as' dialog, this route will take into account your document set up size...

Andrew

 

[MicahDB]

Okay, so I can outline all my text to make him happy.

Since there are no lines are color blocks that touch the sides of the page in my letterhead bleed shouldn't really be a concern. Correct?

Very good, I'll set these up on in Illustrator.

Thanks,
Micah

 

[apepp]

>>> Since there are no lines are color blocks that touch the sides of the page in my letterhead bleed shouldn't really be a concern. Correct?

...yes, so long as the designed elements aren't too near to eliminate the possibility of these accidentally being trimmed off, generally 1.5 - 3mm within the trimmed size would suffice...

Andrew