ISO Paper Sizes
International Standard (ISO 216)
ISO 216 is a metric format and has been adopted by all countries in the world, except the United States and Canada. Although Mexico and the Philippines have officially adopted the ISO 216 standard, the “letter” format is still common.
‘A’ Series – ISO Paper Sizes
The A series consists of a logical set of paper sizes that are defined by the ISO 216 standard. The largest size (A0) measures one square meter. This series is based on each size being half of the size of the previous one, when folded parallel to the shorter lengths.
| Sizes | Width x Height (mm) | Width x Height (in) |
|---|---|---|
| A0 | 841 x 1189 | 33.11 x 46.81 |
| A1 | 594 x 841 | 23.39 x 33.11 |
| A2 | 420 x 594 | 16.54 x 23.39 |
| A3 | 297 x 420 | 11.69 x 16.54 |
| A4 | 210 x 297 | 8.27 x 11.69 |
| A5 | 148 x 210 | 5.83 x 8.27 |
| A6 | 105 x 148 | 4.13 x 5.83 |
| A7 | 74 x 105 | 2.91 x 4.13 |
‘B’ Series – ISO Paper Sizes
The B series paper sizes provide paper sizes that are not covered in the A series. The same logic from the A sizes also applies for the B series.
| Sizes | Width x Height (mm) | Width x Height (in) |
|---|---|---|
| B0 | 1028 x 1456 | 40.48 x 57.32 |
| B1 | 707 x 1000 | 28.66 x 40.48 |
| B2 | 514 x 728 | 20.24 x 28.66 |
| B3 | 364 x 514 | 14.33 x 20.24 |
| B4 | 257 x 364 | 10.12 x 14.33 |
| B5 | 182 x 257 | 7.17 x 10.12 |
| B6 | 128 x 182 | 5.04 x 7.17 |
For your artwork please consider as follows:
- Supplied at the correct trim size (mm)
- With 2mm bleed on each edge
- Supplied in CMYK
- Image based artwork 300dpi
- Design elements kept within 3mm margin
- Single page scrolling PDF
Creating a Print Ready PDF in Adobe.
Simply set up your file at the correct trim size (mm) with 2mm bleed and a 3mm margin.
Keep text and design elements you don’t want cut off within the 3mm margin. This is to help avoid disappointment with the 1-2mm variance with the guillotine when cutting your order down to size.
Export your file as a Press Quality PDF and ensure the following boxes are ticked:
- Under ‘General’ make sure ‘Pages’ is ticked and not ‘Spreads’
If exporting artwork for a booklet, please select to export your PDF in ‘Pages’ rather than ‘Spreads’. This is to ensure we have the correct running order of pages in the booklet. - Under ‘Marks and Bleed’ make sure to tick ‘Use Document Bleed Settings’ and ‘Crop Marks’.
- Under ‘Output’ there is a button that reads ‘Ink Manager’, open the ‘Ink Manager’ window and make sure to tick ‘All Spots to Process’. This will convert any Spot Colours in the artwork to CMYK.
Note: Please disregard the last point if your artwork is required in Spot Colours.
Converting Spot Colours to CMYK can cause a variance in colour – it is recommended that you request a hard copy prior to approval to ensure you are happy with any colour change.
File Type
The easiest and fastest way to send us your files is as a Print Ready PDF. Not only are PDF files complete (with no missing fonts or links) but they hold true colour management, trapping and open pre-press information. A correctly exported file is generally so small in size that it is a breeze to send them over the internet via our ftp and e-mail services – without any loss of quality or data.
We prefer to work in PDF format, however if you are unable to provide us with this format we can also work with a number of files from programs such as Word (.doc, .docx), Publisher (.pub), Powerpoint (.ppt), Photoshop (.psd), Illustrator (.ai, .eps) and InDesign (.indd, .idml).
Bleed
We require your artwork to have a minimum of 2mm bleed on each edge.
Business Cards, Swing Tags & Stickers require 2.5mm bleed due to their small size.
Bleed refers to the printing that goes beyond the trim edge, which allows for movement on the guillotine when trimming your product down to size. You will need bleed on any coloured background or image that touches the edge of your artwork.
Bleed ensures that when your artwork is cut down to size, there won’t be a hairline white edge where an image or background colour ends. The 2mm of bleed will need to be added to each edge of your document. So for example, if your artwork is A4 (210x297mm) with bleed included, the total size of the artwork is 214x301mm.
Resolution
The minimum resolution recommended for print is 300dpi. Anything less than 300dpi may be low resolution and may not print with the desired clarity you were after. If your artwork is predominately text based, we recommend 600dpi to ensure you achieve the sharpest looking text.
The resolution displayed on the web is 72dpi. This means that images saved from the internet/Google may not be suitable for print because the resolution could be much lower than the 300dpi minimum we recommend. We wouldn’t normally recommend sourcing your images from Google due to copyright reasons and image resolution, but if you are using images from Google for print make sure you make use of the search tools and refine the size of the image you are looking for.
Always make sure to read your artwork proof carefully, and make sure we haven’t noted that your artwork may be low resolution and unsuitable for print. We offer a FREE hard copy sample of your work, expressed to your door if you are uncertain about the clarity and resolution of your artwork.
Colour Matching
If colour matching is a requirement of the job, then you must let your Dark Horse Representative know at the beginning of the job and specify which PMS colours, or otherwise provide us with colour samples.
The colour represented in the artwork proof on screen (RGB) can vary to the final printed product (CMYK/PMS/SPOT). Colours on your artwork proof are NOT guaranteed to be an accurate representation of the final printed product. Colours will also vary when printed from a desktop printer. If colour matching is a crucial component to your design, we strongly urge you to request a hard copy sample prior to approving your proof.
Artwork Checklist
We’ve put together a downloadable PDF checklist that you can print off and use as a reference when designing your artwork.
You can find the Artwork Checklist on the Downloads page.
Templates
We have a range of templates of different products for you to download and use as a guide when creating your own artwork.
On each individual product page, under the artwork requirements tab, there is also a link to download the template relating to that product.
Our templates are in a .zip folder which contains a PDF instruction sheet, an Illustrator Template (.ai) and an InDesign Template (.indd & .idml).
PDF print publishing tools
We encourage you to prepare each document that you intend to send to us as a composite PDF file, sometimes referred to as a digital master. Click on the following links for instructions on how to create press-ready PDFs from three popular software packages:
Adobe® Creative Suite
QuarkXPress®
Microsoft® Office
Proof and preflight before creating the PDF file
Carefully proof the content and formatting before creating a PDF file. Additionally, if the authoring application provides a preflight feature, use it to identify missing fonts, unlinked images, or other issues that could result in problems down the road. Ensure image resolution (300-600 ppi) and color spaces (CMYK and PANTONE) are correct.
Convert only when absolutely necessary. Keep text in its original form, as fonts, rather than outlining or rasterizing it. Keep gradients live.
Maintain live transparency. If your artwork contains transparency (including overprints and drop shadows), we prefer to receive unflattened PDF files.
For best results, use CMYK images (not RGB images) in a four-color process job.
Exclude hidden or nonprinting layers from the exported PDF document.
Produce a Press Ready PDF file
The settings used to create a PDF determine how image data is saved, whether fonts are embedded, and whether colors are converted. No matter where you’re creating a PDF file for professional printing, ensure that you’re using the PDF/X-4:2008 or PDF/X-3 or Press-Quality PDF settings file or the settings recommended by Still Creek Press.
Review your PDF in Acrobat 7.0 Professional or later.
Proof and correct the PDF file.
Hand off the press-ready PDF to Still Creek Press.
Make Print Interactive with QR Codes
QR code technology is blurring the distinction between printed communication mediums, smart phones and digital destination and content. A printed marketing piece teamed with QR codes can reach people offline with the ability to easily update information online.
QR Codes Make Print Interactive
QR codes are “Quick Response” codes that were developed in Japan, have been used extensively there, and are now making their way to the Canada. They work by allowing a user with a smart phone to take a picture of the code which then directs them to a website with more information.
QR codes can be used on a variety of products:
- Banners: Get directed to an event schedule or other relevant web page.
- Business cards: Automatically add contact info straight to your address book.
- Brochures or Postcards: Get directions to location via Google Maps.
- Real Estate Flyers: Get online listing with more details about the property.
- Hang Tags or Packaging: Instantly find out more information about your product.
Integrating QR codes with print material is truly a revolutionary way of reaching the growing number of people using smart phones. The best part about this new technology is that it’s easy and virtually inexpensive to implement into
