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When requesting a quote, it's important that you can confirm the following details:

Page Size:	The flat and final trimmed dimensions in mm (if folded)
Page Extent:	The number of pages in your document to print
Paper Type:	The finish of the material you would like us to print on (e.g: gloss/satin/uncoated smooth/uncoated rough/recycled)
Paper Weight:	The thickness of the material you would like us to print on (e.g: 300gsm)
4/0 or 4/4:	Does your document print single or double sided?
Quantity:	Final quantity required and are file copies needed?
Finishing:	Does your document require any specialist finishing (e.g. lamination)
Trimming/Binding:	Is your document just trimmed to size, or bound?(e.g. saddle stitched)
Personalisation:	Does your document require any personalised details or unique number printing?
Proof:	is a printed proof required before final production?
Timescales:	Are working to a specific deadline?

Please Note: The sheet size we generally print on is 464x320mm, but print area of this sheet is 448x312mm to include bleed and trim marks.

Artwork preferably to be supplied as a 'Press Quality/Ready' PDF files with a minimum of 2mm bleed (If using Adobe Indesign, remember to add this in ‘Marks and Bleeds’ when exporting to a Press Quality PDF* (see screenshot)

All images to be set-up as CMYK colourspace, and ideally a resolution of 300dpi unless discussed otherwise.
Fonts to be embedded to ensure no font substitution takes place.

Please also ensure to check your trapping/overprint settings particularly in any Adobe Illustrator files used.
You can do this by using the 'Output Preview' feature in Acrobat Pro, and ensure the Simulate Overprinting checkbox is clicked (see screenshot)

Pantone colour matching.

We do have the ability to get a more accurate pantone colour match using our HP Indigo Indichrome system.
If you have the need to match a specific Pantone colour please keep this set-up as a spot colour and advise this when suppling artwork.

Flat Sheets

Trimmed sheets for you to bind or mount as required, printed one side (4/0) or double sided (4/4)
These can also be supplied as 4pp or 8pp sections if required (creased and folded)

Artwork: To be supplied as single pages
Maximum Flat Size: 448mm wide x 312mm deep

Sadlestiched/Stapled (inc Squarebacked)

Printed as 4pp sections, then inserted inside each other, trimmed, creased, folded and stapled

Artwork: To be supplied as single pages, running in the order required
(Front Cover followed by Inside Front Cover, Text Section, Inside Back Cover and Back Cover, and we will impose)
Paper Weight: Generally 200-300gsm Cover, 130-200gsm Text
Maximum Page Extent: Approximately 60pp
Maximum Flat Size: A3, Final Size A4 Portrait

Perfect Bound

Printed sheets glued along the spine, with outer cover wrapped around the outside

Artwork: Cover to be supplied as an individual file as spreads
(Back Cover/Front Cover and Inside Front/Inside Back Cover)

You will also need to allow for a spine when designing the cover, dimensions can be given once the page extent and paper have been chosen. Text Section to be supplied as single pages, running in the order required, and we will impose

Paper Weight: Generally 250-350gsm Cover, 130-200gsm Text
Minimum Page Extent: Approximately 30pp
Maximum Flat Size: A3, Final Size A4 Portrait

Note: Book will not open completely flat due to the binding method, so please take this into consideration regarding any images/text that's close to the spine.

Wirobound

Printed sheets, trimmed and bound with a Spiral Wire (Black, White or Silver Wires available)

Artwork: To be supplied as single pages, running in the order required
(Front Cover followed by Inside Front Cover, Text Section, Inside Back Cover and Back Cover, and we will impose)

Paper Weight: Generally 250-350gsm for the Cover/Back Cover, 130-200gsm Text
Frosted/Clear Covers can also be added
No Minimum/Maximum Page Extent
Maximum Flat Size: A3, Final Size A3

Note: Please take into consideration the wire and allow approx 15mm clear space at the binding edge so not to go through any text.

Screw Bound

Printed sheets, trimmed and bound using Metal Binding Screws (Silver or Bronze)

Artwork: To be supplied as single pages, running in the order required
(Front Cover followed by Inside Front Cover, Text Section, Inside Back Cover and Back Cover, and we will impose)

Paper Weight: Generally 250-350gsm Cover, 130-200gsm Text
No Minimum/Maximum page extent
Maximum Flat Size: A3

Note: Please take into consideration that we will need to crease the pages and allow approx 25mm clear space at the binding edge so not to go through any text.

Any item we print, if it contains an element that extends to the edge of the document then you will need to apply bleed. For example, this maybe an image, background colour, line or type.

The term 'bleed' is used for any element they extends beyond the document edge.

Bleed is added to a document to allow a tolerance when trimming the final document to the correct size with an industrial guillotine. We generally specify a 'bleed' amount of 2mm.

Bleed and crop marks on the left, cropped document on the right

The best method of suppling artwork is to send via a website based file transfer service, we like to recommend www.wetransfer.com If you have a dropbox account you can also link to Rik's dropbox

We take great pride in the work we produce, and our main aim is to get any printed matter produced, despatched to our customers in a method that ensures it is not damaged intransit.

We do however take environmental issues into consideration which is why the boxes we use contain an element or recycled content which in turn can be re-used or 100% recycled. The 'Eco Flo, Foam Chips' that we utilise for packing is sourced from a specialist 'Green' supplier and are 100% bio-degradable.

We use Interlink Express for the majority of our deliveries. This is a fully trackable service with options of 'next day', 'before 12' or 'before 9:30' time options.

An automated email is sent to you once your parcel has left ripe, which contains the tracking information and will give you an 'hour window' for your delivery. Example below:

The effect our business has on the environment is something we take very seriously. We are committed to the continual improvement of our performance and how we can minimise any impact our printing process has on the environment. The digital print process itself compared to traditional litho printing, has many key benefits:

Wastage

We do not need to dispose of film separations, metal plates or the chemicals associated with the lithograhic processes.

Paper waste

A typical make-ready/set-up on our digital press is around 5-10 sheets compared to litho where this can often be 1000′s before the job is ready to run. The added advantage is we also only print the amount of sheets required. Although our waste paper is kept to a minimum, we still require the facility to dispose of this in a safe and environmentally friendly manner and for this we use a specialist paper recycling company, MGM Recycling Services.

Inks

The inks used on our HP Indigo 5500 press are liquids in canister form and are utilized until they are completely empty resulting in no ink wastage. The canisters are then collected and recycled by J&G Environmental.

Imaging Oil

The press uses a mineral oil as part of the imaging process during printing which is drained after each service. This waste product is also collected by J&G Environmental.

Recycled Papers

Our “house papers”, Fedregoni Freelife Satin and Gloss, are made of pure ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free) and FSC environmentally friendly cellulose raw materials with a high degree of selected recycled material content. See our page on Paper for further information. We also use Greencoat Plus Digital that is made up from 80% recycled fibre, 10% TCF (Totally Chlorine Free) and 10% ECF (Elemental Chlorine Free). If you require a 100% recycled paper, we recommend Cyclus Tech which is produced using 100% post consumer de-inked waste. However, Cyclus Tech only comes in paper weights up to 200gsm. Our latest paper and currently our favorite recycled paper is GF Smith Mohawk which is 100% recycled and comes in weights up to 352gsm.

Awareness

We are constantly looking at raising employee environmental awareness and improving the efficient use of energy within the workplace.