Prepress

Specifying a print order

A specification that is part of a request for printing services should include:

• the dimensions,
• the extent (number of pages),
• the number of cover pages (if the item has a cover),
• the number of print colours (separately for cover and inside pages),
• any additional colours (besides CMYK),
• the type of paper (including weight in g/m²) or material (separately for cover and inside pages),
• the binding (wire stitched, perfect bound, sewn, spiral bound, …),
• any finishing (lamination and its type, varnishing, creasing, punching, perforating, …),
• how the print files will be delivered,
• the number of copies (print run),
• the planned deadline and delivery location.

Ordering standard print items

Even when ordering standard print items (letterheads, envelopes, …), the chosen printer needs a print-ready file. If you are ordering these items for the first time and don't have a suitable file yet, you need to have the design and print file prepared – or prepare it yourself – and then send it to the printer. Print-ready files contain logos in vector format.