How to prepare QuarkXpress files

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Create a New Document 

Click on 'File', then highlight 'New' and select 'Project' (choose File > New > Project)

Your layout type will be Print (see the red shadow in the below image).

Select the size of your document. This should be the final size of your finished and trimmed document. Some standard sizes are:

  • A1 — 594mm x 840mm — eight times the size of a standard A4 letter
  • A2 — 420mm x 594mm — four times the size of a standard A4 letter
  • A3 — 297mm x 420mm — two times the size of a standard A4 letter
  • A4 — 210mm x 297mm — the size of a standard A4 letter
  • A5 — 148mm x 210mm — one-half the size of a standard A4 letter
  • A6 — 105mm x 148mm — one-quarter the size of a standard A4 letter
  • A7 — 74mm x 105mm — one-eighth the size of a standard A4 letter
  • DL — 99mm x 210mm — one-third the size of a standard A4 letter
  • Double-DL — 198mm x 210mm — two-thirds the size of a standard A4 letter
  • Half-A4 Long-drop — 105mm x 297mm — the size of a standard A4 letter that is folded in half length-ways
  • Business cards — 54mm x 89mm
  • Appointment cards — 54mm x 89mm

We also suggest that you allow for margins. More is written about this below, but at this stage we suggest your margin is at least 7mm (or 5mm for business cards, appointment cards and standard fridge magnets).

 

Create your Artwork

Design your job as you normally would.

However, when you are doing so, please keep in mind the matters referred to below (e.g.: the bit about bleeds and colours and so on).

 

Bleeds

Please keep bleeds in mind when you are designing your artwork. If your artwork has a white border, then bleeds are not required. However, if your artwork is NOT white on all four sides, then you MUST include bleeds in your files, and those blleds MUST be included on all four sides.  In QuarkXpress, this area should be extended past the page borders, as indicated by the blue lines in the above image. The bleeds MUST extend AT LEAST 3mm past the edge of the printed page.

The subject of bleeds is so important that we have written a separate page devoted to it. Click here to read all about bleeds, why you may need them and how to create them.

 

Borders and Safe Areas

AllPrinting's presses and cutting machines are extremely accurate. However, on some occassions there can be some movement that MIGHT mean there is movement of up to 2mm. So, if you have a border in your artwork, it is essential that your design has at least 5mm of white space from your border to the trim line. If your border is less than the 5mm, then your job might lose its symmetrical appearance if the printing or cutting is 'slightly out'.

If your job is bigger than a business card, appointment card or standard fridge magnet, then we suggest your border is about 7mm.

It is also essential that no text or essential parts of your artwork come within 5mm of the trim line.  Again, due to the mechanical tolerance during the printing and trimming processes, any content within 5mm of the trim line may make the job look a bit lopsided (i.e.: the text might be very close to the edge on one side, and far away on the other side).

 

Resolution

Do not use images that you have found on the Internet. Almost all of those images have a resolution of 72 dots per inch (72dpi or 72 pixles per inch), and they result in blurred or 'pixilated' images being printed.

If you want your printed product to look professional, then all of your images must be at least 300dpi at the final output size. 

DO NOT attempt to change a low resolution image to a higher one by changing the dpi in your imaging software — you cannot change a 72dpi image into a crisp and clear 300DPI, all you will get is a blurred image that is set at 300dpi.

 

Be careful with Rich Black

If you are going to have your job printed digitally, then do not use "Rich Black", as it can produce a somewhat mottled appearance. We suggest that 100% "K" (i.e.: 100% back) should be sufficient if you order a Fast Digital product.

If you are ordering a Discount Priced product, then we suggest you do use "Rich Black", and your setting for Rick Black should be:

  • Cyan 70%
  • Magenta 40%
  • Yellow 15%
  • "K" (Black) 100%.

 

Collect for Output

Your artwork is now in its final stage, so go to the 'File' menu, and choose "Collect for Output".

You will be presented with a box similar to the above image. The first thing to do is to go to the file where you want your job and all the associated files saved. It is best if you create a special folder for this.

It is vitally important that, in the 'Collect for Output' section, you tick the 'Layout, 'Linked Pictures', 'Embedded Pictures', and 'Fonts' boxes.

Click 'Save' and you will have a file that you can Zip or Stuff, and then send to us with your order

 

 

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