Resources

A minimum 300dpi resolution PDF, for best results we suggest 600dpi or 1200dpi.

We can print native resolution in 300dpi, 600dpi, 1200dpi.

Create all artwork using CMYK colour space (not RGB or LAB or any other colour space).

When setting up artwork using any software application, e.g. In-design, Quark, MS word, power point please ensure the colour space is set up as CMYK not RGB or any other colour format.

Convert SPOT or PANTONE colours to CMYK and specify if SPOT or PANTONE colours are used within your file. Do not create custom names when using SPOT or PANTONE colours as the RIP's PANTONE library is unable to interpret custom names.

Tints and shading should be set at a minimum of no less than 8% or greater. Although it may appear dark on your screen, digital print devices do not reproduce tints or shading below 5%.

To create a solid rich black use a CMYK formula of C30, M30, Y30, K100.

Use standard page sizes e.g. A6, A5, A4, A3 etc, we can accommodate most custom size pages, please consult with us first prior to setting up your project or files.

Maximum print sheet size is SRA3 which is 450mm x 320mm. We stock a range of uncoated and coated sheets from 80gsm to 350gsm.

Keep all type, text, graphics, images at least 8mm in from the outside trim edge of each page of your artwork to ensure nothing is lost at the trimming stage.

Add a minimum 5mm bleed to all 4 sides of every page with crop marks.

Digital print equipment cannot print right up the very edges of the sheet. Therefore there is an approx. 5mm of no print zone around all four sides of any sheet size, to overcome this we recommend all files be supplied with 5mm bleed and trim marks, so we can print on a larger sheet and trim to your desired page size.

All fonts must be embedded or outlined (most common cause of file failure).

All transparencies must be flattened (most common cause of file failure).

All pages in the PDF file must be in single consecutive order i.e. from 1 to N - Not paired, not spreads or as imposed pages.

Always check the newly created PDF file against the native (original) document from which it was created. To confirm the reproduction of the PDF file is exactly the same, look out for and review document flow, fonts, colour, margin, headers, footers etc.

We highly recommend supplying a colour or black and white hard copy proof of the PDF file so we can check it against the file for referencing purposes only. Kopystop does not accept responsibility for incorrectly created PDF files or the resulting prints from those incorrect files.

Please check, double check and triple check your files and all its content prior to submitting for print to Kopystop as we cannot be held liable for any errors in your file.

As standard operational procedure, upon confirmation and acceptance of our quote, Kopystop will supply one proof of your order for review and sign off. Any further proofs will be subject to additional costs.

The Adobe website has a wealth of resources to assist in the preparation and creation of high resolution print ready PDF files which will result in the highest quality output. For optimum PDF file creation we suggest you consult the Adobe website to determine best practices and settings for accurate and reliable print ready PDF files.

BC - 90mm x 55mm - business cards, loyalty cards, alternative custom handouts

DL - 99mm x 210mm - invitations, flyers, A4 folded to DL for distribution

A7 - 74mm x 105mm - a handy flyer size for one off quick distribution

A6 - 105mm x 148mm - postcards, invitations, flyers

A5 - 148mm x 210mm - flyers, invitations, booklets, bound books

A4 - 210mm x 297mm - business documents, flyers, booklets, bound books

A3 - 297mm x 420mm - posters, folded in half to make A4 booklets

SRA3 - 320mm x 450mm - used for all printing which requires full bleed

Custom page sizes can be accommodated; contact a Kopystop Krew member prior to design stage for a complimentary consultation.

In short, the answer is YES!

The Kopystop Krew is made up of Graphic Design, Pre Press and print professionals. Whether you require design from concept, ammendments to exisiting design or simple edits we can do it all.

In short, the answer is "Maybe"? For successful high quality digital image reproduction, not only is the quality of the file important, but of greater significance is the stock upon which we print your image. We stock a full range of Digital grades of papers and cards, which have been manufactured at the paper mill to be mapped and matched for the highest quality print reproduction on all our print devices. We can maintain consistent and continued management of quality assurance from the first to the last image printed only when using this exclusive range of paper supplies. No such guarantee can be provided when printing on any non-approved paper or card stocks. Upon assessing the client supplied stock, Kopystop can confirm on the spot if the stock is compatible for print on current range of print equipment.

Kopystop operates in a strict temperature and humidity controlled environment. All our supplies are stored under optimum conditions of 50-60% relative humidity and a constant temperature of between 21-22 degrees Celsius.

We do this to prevent the following from occurring to paper and card stocks:

• Paper misfeed and creasing which occurs in dry conditions when the moisture is withdrawn from the paper.

• Deformation of the paper for example, waviness - when the edges of the paper expand while the centre remains the same, or short edge - where the edges shrink and the centre remains the same.

• Paper curl - when paper is left out of its wrapper and exposed to dry air.

All paper supplies are kept in their ream wrappers, in storage right up until when the paper is required to be placed into the paper tray for printing.

GSM is known globally as the measure of thickness of paper, the weight of metric paper is given as grams per square metre (GSM). Office paper as you would find commonly in photocopy/ laser equipment is usually 80gsm. We provide a full range of paper stock from 80gsm up to 350gsm cardboard. All of these stocks can be printed one or two sided, we also supply a coated range of paper stocks, including silk and gloss varieties. For advice and recommendation of which stock to use for your project we recommend consulting with one of our professional Kopystop Krew.

If your project is intended to be printed without a white border and you want the image/ background to extend beyond the edge of the page, a bleed of 5mm is required around all 4 sides of each page in your document. The 5mm bleed which extends beyond the image of where the page is to be trimmed is essential to accommodate the slight variation of movement which occurs in all digital printed documents. Once the bleed is trimmed, you will be left with identical and professional looking documents every time.

Not all documents need bleed. Some of the most common documents we print everyday have been created using Microsoft applications. These documents are printed with what's known as a "white border", these are the simplest, quickest and most economical types of documents for printing, as they require far less handling than full bleed documents. We recommend you assess whether your project requires bleed or no bleed well ahead of design stage to determine the best end result, taking into account timing and budget. For more information regarding bleed, contact a Kopystop Krew member at the beginning of your project for a complimentary consultation.

Hairlines are device dependent, although the hairline will appear fine when viewing on screen, they will print at different resolutions on different printers. We generally discourage the use of hairlines for digital print.

Compressing your completed PDF file to reduce overall file size using a utility application such as WinZip, pea zip or Stuffit etc is acceptable. Compressing images within the file is discouraged, especially using LZW or JPEG compression, as it will generally cause problems when processing (RIPing) your file for print and could result in your file not printing at all.

Designing a booklet requires a lot of thought and a little more experience than a normal document, some basic things you need to know about setting up a file to create a booklet.

Booklets must always be compiled in multiples of 4 pages. An easy example of what this means is to fold an A4 sheet in landscape in half onto itself, you now have 4 x A5 images per sheet. For example, a 28 page booklet would be made up of seven double sided sheets 7 x 4 = 28 x A5 images.

When a booklet contains multiple sheets, an effect known as "creep" occurs as a result of the bulk of the folded paper causing the inner pages to extend further out than the outer pages when they are folded. The creep will vary as the number of pages and the paper thickness increase. The thicker a booklet, the more we emphasize to ensure all text, graphics, images and objects are kept a minimum of 10mm inside from the trimmed edge.

Crossover images – this occurs when images within a booklet have been designed to cross over pages or spreads. Movement may occur in the process of digital print which could cause misalignment of these images. Therefore it's our suggestion to avoid having cross page objects within your artwork design.

Always supply your final print ready PDF file in single consecutive page order. Never supply your file in pairs, spreads or imposed. Kopystop has professional imposition software which will impose your file at a press of a button.

Booklets are typically finished in saddle stitching which is a binding process where the pages are folded in half with two staples through the centre of the folded spine of the booklet.

The maximum number of pages we can accommodate for booklets is 80 pages based on using 80gsm paper stock. As the weight of paper increases the number of allowable pages decreases.

For further information about booklets, and prior to designing your project we recommend you contact a Kopystop Krew member.

Some documents are best scored / creased for ease of folding, this process is the pressing of a channel into a sheet of paper to allow it to fold more cleanly and accurately using a specialised creasing machine. An example of when creasing would be required is for folding of heavy weight cards or invitations etc. Utilising the creasing process minimises and in some instances eliminates the cracking which can occur on the fold line.