Artwork2020-04-03T04:24:37+08:00

Artwork Guidelines

Templates

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General Artwork

Bleed & Margins2018-06-05T02:06:44+08:00

  • 3mm bleed is required on each side of your artwork.

  • 3mm margin is recommend from the trim line. Critical type and graphics should be kept away from the trim line.

Artwork Bleed
Images2018-06-05T02:17:47+08:00

  • Images used in your artwork should be CMYK colour, and 300DPI resolution at the intended final size of the printed image.

Size Guide (Flat Sheet)2022-08-09T01:19:06+08:00

Flat Sheet Sizes

Remember to add bleeds to your artwork.

Standard Sizes

For Flyers, Stationery and Booklets

  • A1 – 594 x 841mm

  • A2 – 420 x 594mm

  • A3 – 297 x 420mm

  • A4 – 210 x 297mm

  • A5 – 148 x 210mm

  • A6 – 105 x 148mm

  • DL – 210 x 99mm

Value Sizes

Non-standard sizes

  • Value A3  352 x 249mm (Non-standard size)

  • Value A4  146 x 249mm (Non-standard size)

  • Value A5  124 x 177mm (Non-standard size)

Business Card Sizes

Sizes listed are flat, unfolded sizes.
Remember to add bleeds to your artwork.

  • BC 90 x 55mm (Traditional Standard)

  • BC 86 x 54mm (Credit Card Size)

  • BC 55 x 55mm (Maximum Square Size)

  • BCx2 Tent Fold 90 x 110mm (Portrait)

  • BCx2 Tent Fold 180 x 55mm (Landscape)

Postcards

Remember to add bleeds to your artwork.

  • Postcard 150 x 100mm

  • DL Card 210 x 99mm

Magnet Sizes

Remember to add bleeds to your artwork.
Magnets require 5mm bleed.

  • BC Fridge Magnet 90 x 55mm

  • Small Fridge Magnet 70 x 50mm

  • Large Fridge Magnet 170 x 80mm

Size Guide (Folded)2018-06-19T04:55:33+08:00

Tent Fold Cards

Remember to add bleeds to your artwork

  • BCx2 Tent Fold 90 x 110mm (Portrait)

  • BCx2 Tent Fold 180 x 55mm (Landscape)

  • DLx2 Tent Fold 198 x 210mm (Portrait)

  • PCx2 Tent Fold 150 x 200mm (Portrait)

  • PCx2 Tent Fold 300 x 100mm (Landscape)

Folded Flyer Sizes

Remember to add bleeds to your artwork

DL Portrait

Final Folded Size DL 99 x 210mm

  • DL – 4PP Portrait
    Unfolded: 198 x 210mm

  • DL – 6PP Portrait (A4 Trifold)
    Unfolded: A4 297 x 210mm

  • DL – 8PP Portrait
    Unfolded: 396 x 210mm

  • DL – 10PP Portrait
    Unfolded: 495 x 210mm

  • DL – 12PP Portrait (Concertina Fold)
    Unfolded: 594 x 210mm

  • DL – 12PP Portrait (A3 to A4 to DL)
    Unfolded: A3 297 x 420mm

DL Landscape

Final Folded Size DL 210 x 99mm

  • DL – 4PP Landscape
    Unfolded: 420 x 99mm

  • DL – 6PP Landscape
    Unfolded: 630 x 99mm

A6 Portait

Final Folded Size A6 105 x 148mm

  • A6 – 4PP Portrait
    Unfolded: 210 x 148mm

  • A6 – 6PP Portrait
    Unfolded: 315 x 148mm

  • A6 – 8PP Portrait
    Unfolded: 420 x 148mm

  • A6 – 10PP Portrait
    Unfolded: 525 x 148mm

  • A6 – 12PP Portrait
    Unfolded: 630 x 148mm

A6 Landscape

Final Folded Size A6 148 x 105mm

  • A6 – 4PP Landscape
    Unfolded: 296 x 105mm

  • A6 – 6PP Landscape
    Unfolded: 444 x 105mm

  • A6 – 8PP Landscape
    Unfolded: 592 x 105mm

A5 Portrait

Final Folded Size A5 148 x 210mm

  • A5 – 4PP Portrait
    Unfolded: A4 297 x 210mm

  • A5 – 6PP Portrait
    Unfolded: 444 x 210mm

  • A5 – 8PP Portrait
    Unfolded: 594 x 210mm

  • A5 – 8PP Portrait
    Unfolded: 594 x 210mm

A3 Portrait

Final Folded Size A3 297 x 420mm

  • A3 – 4PP Portrait
    Unfolded: A2 594 x 420mm

A4 Portrait

Final Folded Size A4 210 x 297mm

  • A4 – 4PP Portrait
    Unfolded: A3 420 x 297mm

  • A4 – 6PP Portrait
    Unfolded: 630 x 297mm

A4 Landscape

Final Folded Size A4 297 x 210mm

  • A4 – 4PP Landscape
    Unfolded: 594 x 210mm

Proof

  • Provide a PDF proof that displays an example of the design and data.  Be sure to display the size, colour, position and fonts used.

  • If your artwork includes responsive design, show some variations in your PDF proof so that it’s clear how you want your printing to appear.

Fonts

  • All fonts used in variable data need to be supplied as font files in your Supporting Documents.

  • In Adobe InDesign, you can package all font files with your artwork using menu File > Package, and zip your package folder into a ZIP file.

Working File

  • Adobe InDesign files are best for your working file. It’s best create a package of your INDD file, font files and linked images. In the InDesign menu File > Package you can easily create a package of all working files.

  • Ensure your Artwork Layers are positioned in the correct order. Test the appearance of each variable data entry, to see how the design looks with the different layers visible.

Borders2018-06-05T02:10:35+08:00

  • Please do not use borders that are designed to create an even margin around the document.  A trimming tolerance of +/- 1mm must be allowed, to avoid an uneven border if trimming shifts.

Number Up2018-06-05T02:04:12+08:00

  • Always supply your artwork 1-up.  Please do not provide your artwork tiled on a larger page.

Colours & Swatches2022-08-09T01:59:04+08:00

Artwork CMYK

Full Colour CMYK

  • Ensure colours are CMYK.

  • RGB and PMS colours are automatically converted and may produce undesired results.

  • Only use PMS colours if they are intended to be printed as such.  Spot colours can be added to your order for an additional cost.

Swatch Names

Best practice for naming spot colour swatches.

  • “White” – Swatch name for Spot White Ink.

  • “Scodix” – Swatch name for Spot UV, 3D UV, Flat UV and Digital Braille.

  • “Register” – Swatch name for registration and crops marks.

  • “Thru-cut” – Swatch name for cut lines.

  • “Kiss-cut” – Swatch name for kiss-cut lines.

  • “Crease” – Swatch name for crease (score) lines.

Colour Matching2018-06-05T02:08:11+08:00

  • Colour matching is not offered as part of our standard service.

  • Document sizes of A4 and above may be compared to previously printed orders produced by us, if you provide a sample prior to the press run.

  • Colour critical requirements for smaller items should be discussed with us prior to placing orders, as there may be alternative solutions.

  • For the most accurate colour matching service, we recommend using a Pantone spot colour.

Watermarks2018-06-05T02:02:55+08:00

  • Watermarks or images used for similar purposes should not be set at less than 8% total ink coverage.

Document Size2018-06-19T05:07:13+08:00

  • Your artwork document size must be the finished print size, plus 3mm bleed.

  • Please supply only one PDF file, with an individual page for front and back.

Our Size Guide can be found further below.

Ink Cover2018-06-05T03:01:33+08:00

  • Please be conscious of the “total ink cover” of your artwork. We recommend no more than 300% total ink coverage. The highest possible ink coverage is 400%, made up of 100% C, M, Y and K.

  • Heavier ink cover will take longer to produce, affecting trimming, folding and packing.

Multiple Pages2018-06-05T02:13:08+08:00

  • Create multi-page documents as a single PDF file.  Each printed page needs it’s own PDF page.

  • eg Two-sided business cards require 1 file, with 2 pages.  Page 1 is the front, page 2 is the back.

  • Always order your pages starting with the front side (or outside) of the print job.

Appearance of Black2018-06-05T02:00:46+08:00

  • To produce a rich black print, we recommend the CMYK value: 50,10,10,100.

  • Using a pure black such as CMYK 0,0,0,100 will not appear as dark or smooth.  Pure black is however suitable for paragraph text in a design.

Fonts2018-06-05T02:16:09+08:00

  • Please convert fonts to outlines, curves or paths where possible.

  • For large multi-page documents, please ensure all fonts are fully embedded.

  • For jobs that require Variable Data and an InDesign file, please also supply font files. Read more in our Artwork Guidelines for Variable Data.

3D-UV Printing
Flat Spot UV Gloss

Spot UV

3D-UV and Flat UV

Spot UV setup2023-03-14T08:10:34+08:00

Important steps to creating a Spot UV (3D-UV or Flat UV) artwork file

  • Fill and/or stroke all Spot UV objects with a new Swatch colour:

    • Swatch Name: “Scodix” (case sensitive & spelling critical)
    • Colour type: Spot Color
    • Color mode: CMYK
    • Fill: 100% Magenta

  • IMPORTANT: Spot UV objects must have their FILL and STROKE set to “overprint”.

    • Adobe Illustrator > Window > Attributes
    • Adobe InDesign > Window > Output > Attributes

  • IMPORTANT: Spot UV text objects must be converted to outlines / curves.

  • Create a layer for Spot UV objects, to be placed above the CMYK layer(s).

  • Spot UV objects print best at 100% opacity, and therefore should not be made transparent.

  • It can be helpful change a Spot UV object’s blending mode from Normal to “Multiply“:

    • Adobe Illustrator > Window > Transparency
    • Adobe InDesign > Window > Effects
Spot UV Trimming & Folding2023-03-14T07:36:04+08:00

3D-UV

  • 3D-UV is not suitable for folding, cutting or creasing.  Keep 3D-UV away from creases, folds, cut areas, and edges at a minimum of 0.5 – 1.0mm, to prevent cracking or chipping.

Flat UV

  • Flat UV is suitable for folding, trimming and scoring.

  • Include a 3mm bleed for Spot UV to be trimmed.

Read more about our Spot UV printing

NCR Invoice Book Printing

NCR

NCR Supporting Document2018-05-31T06:07:55+08:00

  • When uploading your PDF artwork for NCR jobs, please also upload a “Supporting Document”.

Upload Artwork
Supporting Document

We don’t print your Supporting Document, but use it as a visual proof for:

  • The starting number for the red numbering, eg 0001

  • The placement of the numbering on the page.

  • Which side the perforation is, eg top, left or right side.

NCR Perforation2018-12-18T04:34:41+08:00

NCR Book Artwork

  • The perforation on each NCR page is placed 15mm in from the edge of the page.

  • Please note that the total page size is A4, A5 or DL, and the perforation is inside this.

  • Do not include a printed perforation mark inside your artwork.  Instead place the perforation mark in your Supporting Document.

NCR Numbering2018-05-31T05:59:13+08:00

  • Your artwork for NCR books should not include any numbering. Leave the space for numbering blank.

  • Use your Supporting Document to confirm the starting number, and placement on the page.

  • NCR numbering is always printed in a red ink.

  • If you do not provide a starting number, we will print numbering starting at #0001.

NCR Printing on the reverse2018-05-31T05:57:38+08:00

  • When printing on the reverse side of NCR pages, remember that a perforation on the left or right side of the page will flip on the back side.  If there is a 15mm margin for the perforation on the left-hand side on front side, the back side will have a 15mm margin on the RIGHT hand side.

  • NCR paper stock is usually 60gsm and somewhat transparent, so if you want to print on both sides of the stock be conscious of the appearance of ink through the stock.

  • If you are printing terms and conditions on the back side of an NCR page, consider using a lighter ink so it is less visible from the front side.

Read more about our NCR Books

Die-Cut Printing

Die-Cut and Digital-Cut

Using an existing die-cut template2018-05-31T08:02:29+08:00

  • Port Printing has a number of die-cut templates available for download in PDF format.

  • To use an existing die-cut template, place the die-cut PDF template into your InDesign or Illustrator working file.  Leave the die-cut template at the bottom layer of your artwork, even in your final press-ready PDF.

  • Ensure your working file document size is the same as the die-cut PDF template size.

  • Do not move or alter an existing die-cut template, as it lines up perfectly with a physical die.

  • For a double-sided design, flip the entire die-cut template horizontally for the back side.  Use the flipped template for placement, however the template file is not required in your final press-ready artwork on the back side, only the front side.

    Die-Cut Artwork

Die Templates – Business Cards2018-07-05T03:48:35+08:00

Full Screen Die Library

#001

90 x 55mm
2 x 8mm round corners

Template

#002

90 x 45mm
2 x 4mm round corners

Template

#004

90 x 55mm
2 x 20mm round corners

Template

#004a

86 x 54mm
2 x 15mm round corners

Template

#006

90 x 45mm
2 x 7mm round corners

Template

#007

54 x 54mm
2 x 20mm round corners

Template

#009

86 x 54mm
1 x 20mm round corner

Template

#010b

90 x 55mm
1 x 20mm round corner

Template

#015

86 x 45mm
4 x 8mm round corners

Template

#016

90 x 40mm
4 x 4mm round corners

Template

#033

54 x 54mm
Circle Shape

Template

#039

90 x 50mm
Ellipse Shape

Template

#047

54 x 54mm
Star Seal Shape

Template

#048

86 x 45mm
Bone Shape

Template

#055

86 x 54mm
1 x Round End

Template
Cut & Crease Lines2022-08-09T03:15:09+08:00

Printing that features cutting & creasing requires artwork with appropriate cut & crease lines.

  • Cut & crease lines must be included in your PDF artwork, not a separate file.

  • All cut and crease lines must be set to “Overprint”.

  • Separate artwork layers are recommended for cut lines, and a separate layer for crease lines.

  • Artwork layers for cut and crease lines should be placed at the top, above all other artwork layers.

  • Don’t forget 3mm bleed outside of all cut lines, and keep a 3mm internal margin for critical type and graphics.

Swatch Names

  • “Thru-cut” – swatch name for cut lines.

  • “Kiss-cut” – swatch name for kiss-cut lines on kiss-cut stickers.

  • “Crease” – swatch name for crease (score) lines.

Die Templates – Presentation Folders2018-08-15T04:27:25+08:00

Read more about our Presentation Folders.

  • SM1
    Standard A4, no gusset

  • SM2
    Standard A4, with gusset

Variable Data Printing

Variable Data

Fonts2018-05-31T06:24:46+08:00

Fonts

  • All fonts used in variable data need to be supplied as font files in your Supporting Documents.

  • In Adobe InDesign, you can package all font files with your artwork using menu File > Package, and zip your package folder into a ZIP file.

Spreadsheet2018-05-31T06:24:15+08:00

Spreadsheet

  • Provide a CSV or XLS spreadsheet that contains the variable data.

Variable Data Printing

  • The first row should contain the Variable Name of each column, eg “FirstName”.

  • Your spreadsheet needs the same number of rows as your print run, eg 1,000 rows for 1,000 copies.  If your spreadsheet only has 500 rows, then only 500 copies will be printed.

  • When referring to an artwork layer to be visible, use a Variable Name prefix “Layer-“, eg Layer-Colour.

  • For variable text data, the name of each column must match the Variable Name used in your artwork.

  • To make a layer in your artwork visible, use the name of the Artwork Layer, eg fashion – will make the Artwork Layer named “fashion” visible.

Proof File2018-05-31T06:24:01+08:00

Proof

  • Provide a PDF proof that displays an example of the design and data.  Be sure to display the size, colour, position and fonts used.

  • If your artwork includes responsive design, show some variations in your PDF proof so that it’s clear how you want your printing to appear.

Working File2018-05-31T06:23:32+08:00

InDesign

Working File

  • Provide an Adobe InDesign INDD file, together with font files and linked images. In the InDesign menu File > Package you can easily create a package of all working files.

  • Insert variable text data into your artwork by using the Variable Name in your spreadsheet, surrounded by .  Text variables are case sensitive, and should not include spaces.

  • When using variable text data, ensure you use the exact font, size and colour in your working file.  Be mindful of how long or short the variable words are in your spreadsheet.

  • Artwork Layers can be made visible or invisible by using a layer name in your variable data spreadsheet.  The Artwork Layer name must match the entry in the spreadsheet, eg The “green” Artwork Layer will be made visible when the spreadsheet entry is “green”.

  • Any Artwork Layers that are used in responsive design should be left invisible in your working file.  Each layer will then be made visible for the appropriate entry.

  • Ensure your Artwork Layers are positioned in the correct order. Test the appearance of each variable data entry, to see how the design looks with the different layers visible.

Variable Data Checklist2018-05-31T06:20:34+08:00

Artwork File

  • InDesign artwork file

Supporting Documents

  • Spreadsheet

  • PDF proof

  • Font files

  • Linked image files

Read more about Variable Data Printing

White Ink

White Ink Uses2022-08-09T03:18:47+08:00

White Ink is a spot colour that can be added to your print job in addition to CMYK and other spot colours. It’s useful for printing on coloured stock or metallic laminate. White Ink is typically printed first, before CMYK layers.

  • On metallic stock, the White Ink masks metallic areas to appear non-metallic.  CMYK printed on top of the white ink then appears like standard full colour, whereas CMYK printed on metallic areas appear as a metallic full colour.

  • On coloured stock such as Kraft Brown board, white ink acts as a primer layer of ink.  CMYK printed directly on brown stock will look dull, whereas it will look more vibrant printed on top of a White Ink.

White Ink on Metallic Stock2022-08-09T03:51:38+08:00

White Ink printed on Metallic Stock (eg Silver Laminate) appears opaque, and blocks out any metallic qualities.   CMYK printed on White Ink will appear non-metallic, like printing on white stock.

  • “White” – Swatch name for White Ink.  Create a spot colour swatch, using a colour other than white, to identify it on screen against the white background.

  • White Ink should be placed on it’s own artwork layer, typically at the bottom.

  • CMYK objects should be set to “Overprint”, when printed on top of White Ink.

White Ink on Coloured Stock2022-08-09T03:43:58+08:00

White Ink can be printed on coloured stock, such as Kraft Brown board.  The White Ink is typically printed first, before CMYK is over-printed on top.   Coloured stocks will tint CMYK colours, unless a base layer of White Ink is printed first.

  • “White” – Swatch name for White Ink.  Create a spot colour swatch, using a colour other than white, to identify it on screen against the white background.

  • White Ink should be placed on it’s own artwork layer, typically at the bottom.

  • CMYK objects should be set to “Overprint”, when printed on top of White Ink.

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