At Kukoo Creative, we have trialled a fair few printers over the years. We know how important quality and consistency are. That’s why once we found a great local print partner, we stuck with them. We work together with our printer to ensure that your print always comes out the way you were expecting it to, without paying extra or waiting around.
We are dedicated to checking over your print work to make sure everything’s in order. This series of checks makes up our 30-point artwork check.
Customer Requested Check
Before we complete an order, we make sure your artwork is usable. This includes;
1. Is the file type correct?
We make sure the file type is compatible with print.
2. Is the file size correct?
We make sure the file doesn’t exceed the maximum size.
3. Are there the correct number of pages for this job?
Our team checks to make sure the right number of pages are uploaded, such as making sure a booklet has the right number of single pages as specified on your order.
4. Are there the correct number of sides for the printed pages of this job?
Our team checks to make sure the right number of sides are uploaded, such as making sure a folded piece of artwork has two spreads attached.
5. Is the file set to the correct orientation?
We check whether the file is portrait or landscape and make sure the print job has been set to portrait or landscape to match the file.
6. Will this job require spot UV?
If the artwork requires Spot UV, our team will check if one combined PDF has been uploaded. One page for your general artwork and another for your Spot UV design elements.
7. Does this job use the correct fold?
Our Studio Team will take the time to look over your artwork before sending it to print to ensure the fold lines are correct and even through the artwork, making sure nothing is out of place.
8. Does this job require extra finishing?
Whether it’s foiling, eyeleting, perforation, or anything in between, we’ll check that your artwork is set up correctly for your finishing touches.
9. Has all the relevant information been provided?
We’ll check to make sure any specific requirements are met when it comes to setting up your file, so your artwork comes out how you intended.
10. Will this order need auto or manual proofing?
For certain products, such as perfect bound booklets, presentation folders and PVC banners, we will set up a manual proof and liaise with the print team to make sure everything is all good to go.
Manual Proofing Check
Auto proofing can be helpful to get a proof back to us very quickly after uploading it. However, certain products cannot be proofed automatically, such as presentation folders. There are also times when you might just prefer a human eye to look over things for you. This includes;
11. Does the file provided match the order details?
When submitting a manual proof, our print partners check if the order details have been added to the email along with the artwork.
12. Is the content of the artwork appropriate?
For example, nothing hateful or offensive will be printed by us.
13. Is the file the correct size?
We will make sure the height and width of the file match the chosen finished size.
14. Is the copy legible?
If some of the text on your artwork looks like it’s too small or thin to be printed correctly, it may result in it being difficult to see or read when printed. In this case, we will make sure fonts are no smaller than 8pt.
15. Is the resolution suitable for this product?
Different size print requires different resolution, so we check the dpi of all files before printing and make sure they are the appropriate size.
16. Has the correct safe zone been left clear?
If artwork contains text or imagery outside of the safety area, it could be obscured when printed and trimmed. We check to make sure there is a 3mm border around your artwork to avoid this from happening.
17. Is there sufficient bleed?
We always make sure we use a bleed on files to make sure that if the guillotine is slightly off, important artwork isn’t lost when cut.
18. Has the correct colour profile been used?
All artwork for print must be supplied in CMYK. If your artwork is set up in a different format, such as RGB, then this will automatically convert out at the proofing stage which can vary the colour of your artwork.
19. Are there any transparency issues?
We’ll check if there are any transparencies on a file as it can cause several issues such as colour changes, elements dropping out, or transparency boxes on the file.
20. Are there any layout inconsistencies?
We will check that your artwork matches the product you have selected effectively.
Prepress Check
After your artwork has been approved, we conduct one final check just to be absolutely sure that nothing important has been missed. This includes;
21. Does the orientation match what we have on our internal system?
We’ll double check to make sure your artwork orientation matches the product you need.
22. Does the file size match what we have on our internal system?
We’ll double check to make sure your artwork size is the same as what was chosen when the order was placed.
23. Does the number of printed sides match what we have on our internal system?
We’ll double check to make sure the number of printed sides matches what was specified when the order was placed.
24. Has the file passed our preflight test?
The prefight test takes a final look at colours, size, resolution, fonts, pages and set up to make sure nothing has been missed off your file before it goes to print.
25. Have the cutter guidelines been removed?
We’ll check to make sure your cutter guidelines won’t be printed when we approve your file.
26. Is the spot UV layer set up correctly (if applicable)?
We check 3 pages for each printed page with Spot UV on; the basic artwork, just the Spot UV elements, and the two combined so we can check that they are lined up accurately.
27. Are all the fonts embedded correctly?
We make sure all fonts are embedded in the design files before they are sent to print. This is because if we have opted for a font in the design that the printers don’t have on file, it could completely change the design if not embedded. So we make sure that doesn’t happen!
28. Is there any transparency in the file?
If there is any transparency in the file, the artwork will be flattened and then is sent or uploaded for print.
29. Is the document compliant with PDF/X-1a:2001?
Our trusted print partners use PDF/X to facilitate a graphics exchange. It has a series of
printing-related requirements which do not apply to standard PDF files. With PDF/X-1a all fonts need to be embedded and all images need to be CMYK or spot colours.
30. Is the file smaller than 200mb?
Anything larger will need to be sent via WeTransfer or compressed.
And there you have it! Your free 30-point artwork check.
Things we DON’T check
If you have provided copy/text, it remains your responsibility to proofread and check the following:
1. Spelling
2. Grammar
If you would like help with this, just let us know and we can send you a quote for the work.