Material Presentation and Formats
As lead times decrease in today's busy business environment, the correct presentation of files or instruction to a design studio or a printer is becoming ever more important. If a problem is found with supplied files, important deadlines may be jeopardised. Equally, images presented with unclear instruction can cut into timescales and prove costly if given incorrect treatment as a result.
We hope that the following information will provide some basic guidelines for anyone unfamiliar with the procedure of supplying files to Manor Creative.
Formatted Files
In most cases files are produced in either Quark Xpress or Adobe InDesign. It is good practice to discuss with us any other software to be used as this will ensure we are able to handle files in the most efficient way.
Formatted Pages
When supplying fully formatted files you should discuss the manner in which pages are presented. For example, imposed facing pages rather than double-page spreads should be used as the latter are sometimes prepared in such a way that presents difficulties at imposition stage.
On screen planning:
All files received either in Quark, Pagemaker, Indesign or supplied pdf, are sent to an Apogee X imposition station which pre-flights and converts files to pdf which are then planned on screen using dedicated software.
Imposed pages are ripped and proofed to an Epson and Sherpa printer and when approved are sent to a Creo Lotum CTP system.
Submitting a file to Manor Creative:
PDF's are the safest way to supply files. The object of a PDF is that all pictures, text and fonts are embedded to give a final file which allows for no change. Even with PDF's there can be problems. The 10 most common issues are:
- Placed image resolution too low
- Fonts not embedded
- Wrong colour space assigned
- Incorrect trim or bleed information
- Inconsistency with native file (hairlines, gradients)
- Spot colour misnamed or converted to process
- Too much compression (artifacts, quality loss)
- Incorrect page size information
- Transparent object issues
- Incorrect or missing ICC profile
For your convenience we have the installed the PDF best practice documentation compiled by the PPA located in our Resource section. The PPA is the UK association for publishers and providers of consumer, customer and business media. Amongst their work are initiatives to develop industry standards and provide useful resources and information for media bodies. For more information on the PPA please click here.
When supplying PDF's to Manor Creative please ensure that
- All PDF's should be hi-resolution, all images 300dpi and CMYK;
- Fonts embedded and bleed (if any) added;
- If possible please send a set of colour split laser proofs in the post;
Supported Programs:
We also support the following programs:
- QuarkXpress versions 3.3, 4.1, 5.1, 6.5, 7.2
- Pagemaker version 7.0
- Illustrator up to version CS2
- Freehand version 8
- InDesign version CS2, CS3
- Acrobat PDF version 8
- Photoshop versions 4, 5, 7
- Word
- Publisher
Text files can be received from most word processing formats including: Word, Word Perfect or Apple Works.
Please ensure that when sending files
- All fonts and relevant images are included;
- Images to be 300dpi and CMYK (if in colour);
- B&W or colour proof included;
- In graphics files please convert fonts to drawn outline;
Please avoid when sending files
- Do not use applied bold/italic on fonts if possible;
- Do not use pict files embedded in files;
How to Send a File:
- E-mail address direct to Pre-Press is: macroom@manorcreative.com
- File Transfer. If you intend transferring large e-mail files, please contact us prior to sending so we can process your details for using our file transfer system
- ZIP discs 100 /250 or 750mb
- DVD Rom mac or pc compatible
- CD Rom mac or pc compatible
- Floppy mac or pc compatible
International Paper Sizes
The ISO standard paper size system covers a wide range of formats, but not all of them are widely used in practice. Among all formats, A4 is clearly the most convenient for daily office use.
Manor Creative can print on-site for you at sizes up to B1.
| Size | (mm) | Size | (mm) | Size | (mm) | Size | (mm) |
| A0 | 841x1189 | A3 | 297x420 | A6 | 105x148 | A9 | 37x52 |
| A1 | 594x841 | A4 | 210x297 | A7 | 74x105 | A10 | 26x37 |
| A2 | 420x594 | A5 | 148x210 | A8 | 52x74 |
| Size | (mm) | Size | (mm) | Size | (mm) | Size | (mm) |
| B0 | 1000x1414 | B3 | 353x500 | B6 | 125x176 | B9 | 44x62 |
| B1 | 707x1000 | B4 | 250x353 | B7 | 88x125 | B10 | 31x44 |
| B2 | 500x707 | B5 | 176x250 | B8 | 62x88 |
| Size | (mm) | Size | (mm) | Size | (mm) | Size | (mm) |
| C0 | 917x1297 | C3 | 324x458 | C6 | 114x162 | C9 | 40x57 |
| C1 | 648x917 | C4 | 229x324 | C7 | 81x114 | C10 | 28x40 |
| C2 | 458x648 | C5 | 162x229 | C8 | 57x81 |
| Size | (mm) | Size | (mm) |
| SRA0 | 900x1280 | SRA3 | 320x450 |
| SRA1 | 640x900 | SRA4 | 225x320 |
| SRA2 | 450x640 |
Common Paper Folds
