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Layout tips

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Match the trim size

For pieces we'll be printing, always make your document's page size match the size of the actual printed piece (page size, not spreads). This allows our imposition software to process your job accurately. Setting up printer spreads actually makes more work for us and may increase your cost.

Combining Items

For service bureau output, you can make the page size whatever you want (up to the limits of our imagesetter). Combining multiple items on one page can save money if you don't need application crop marks. Including your own crops on oversize pages can cost more because of the page size.

Incorporating bleed

If your piece bleeds, make sure that anything that touches the edge of a page actually extends 1/8" (0.125", 9pt, 3.25mm) beyond the edge of the page.

  • FreeHand is one application that requires you to explicitly set the bleed area (0.125"). You should still make the page size match the piece. The bleed area is set in the same palette as the page size.

Use one layout size

Our imposition software is currently limited to only a single page size per press sheet. Creating a combination imposition of different page sizes will usually cost more because of the by-hand work required. An additional round of laser proofs should happen to reduce the possibility of inadvertent changes to your file.