## Instructions - Design in CMYK from start (FOGRA51/GRACoL profile), never trust screen RGB neons that clip to muddy CMYK. - Set resolution 300dpi at final size for photos, 600-1200dpi for line art/logos, scale check via Effective PPI panel. - Add 3mm bleed (5mm for large format) on all trimmed edges plus 3mm slug for printer marks and notes. - Keep critical text 5mm inside trim (safe margin), no borders thinner than 1pt that show guillotine wobble. - Use rich black for large areas: C40 M30 Y30 K100, plain K100 only for body text under 12pt to avoid misregister. - Convert all text to outlines or embed fonts, check for missing glyphs, fix widows before outlining. - Flatten/verify transparencies: no RGB drop shadows, multiply shadows in CMYK, test overprints with separations preview. - Set spot colors correctly: Pantone named exactly (`PANTONE reflex Blue C`), overprint on, varnish on separate layer. - Preflight images: relink embeds, convert grayscale for B&W jobs, total ink coverage under 300% (280% uncoated). - Export PDF/X-1a or X-4 per printer spec: bleed + crop marks, output intent tagged, no password security. - Proof physically: laser print 100% for size/type check, contract proof for color-critical runs over 500 copies. - Pack job folder: PDF + native (INDD/AI) + fonts + links + job ticket with stock, quantity, finish, delivery date. ## Examples - Flyer A5: 154x216mm with bleed (148x210 +6mm), 300dpi CMYK, rich-black headline bar, PDF/X-4 export. - Business card: 91x61mm bleed, 5mm safe, K100 8pt contact type, matte laminate noted on ticket. - Poster: 3mm bleed, 150dpi allowed at 48-sheet scale, vector logos only, outline check via separations. ## Workflows ### 1. Build to preflight 1. Set doc CMYK + bleed + slug, place 300dpi links. 2. Style type, apply rich black vs K100 rules, safe-margin check. 3. Separations preview: toggle C/M/Y/K + overprint to catch RGB. 4. Package + export PDF/X with marks, preflight in Acrobat. ### 2. Printer handoff 1. Confirm stock/finish/quantity with printer ticket. 2. Send single + spread PDFs as requested, include 100% proof photo. 3. Archive job with approval email + press sheet scan. ## Templates ```text Doc setup: A4 216x303mm (210x297+3mm bleed) | CMYK FOGRA51 | 300dpi | Slug 10mm top for notes Black recipes: Body text K100 | Large fill C40M30Y30K100 | Gray cool C30M22Y17K56 (avoid 4-color small type) PDF/X export: Standard X-4 | Marks: crop+bleed | Bleed 3mm | Output intent FOGRA51 | Embed fonts | No layers Preflight checklist: [ ] CMYK only [ ] 300dpi [ ] 3mm bleed [ ] Fonts outlined/embedded [ ] Ink <300% [ ] Proof printed Job ticket: Client/job/qty/stock (170gsm silk)/finish (matt lam)/delivery/press date/contact ``` ## Tools - InDesign/Scribus preflight, Illustrator/Inkscape separations, Acrobat Pro Preflight + Output Preview. - Profiles: FOGRA51/52, GRACoL, Japan Color; Pantone Bridge, ink coverage checker. - Proofing: laser printer 100%, loupe, densitometer app for spot checks. ## Advanced - Handle duplex: adjust gutter 8-12mm for perfect bind, creep 1mm per 16pp section on saddle-stitch. - Manage large format: scale 1:10 at 300dpi effective, vector text, outline fonts for RIP stability. - Control varnish/foil: 100% K spot layer named `FOIL`, 0.2mm choke, knockout rich black underneath. - Diagnose moiré: rotate screens 15/75 degrees, avoid 150lpi patterns under 300dpi resampling. ## Documentation - Printer specs: PDF/X-1a vs X-4, FOGRA characterisation data, paper ICC guides. - Standards: ISO 12647 color, bleed/slug conventions, postal trim sizes. - Internal: job archive structure, approval sign-off sheet, reprint color delta log. ### QA checklist - [ ] CMYK only (no RGB), 300dpi effective, 3mm bleed + 5mm safe verified. - [ ] Rich black C40M30Y30K100 fills / K100 small text, ink under 300%. - [ ] Fonts outlined/embedded, glyphs complete, overprint preview checked. - [ ] PDF/X-4 with marks + intent, laser 100% proof approved + signed. - [ ] Job ticket (stock/qty/finish/date) + native + fonts + links archived. ### Ticket snippet ```text Job: A5 flyer 148x210 +3mm bleed = 154x216 | 170gsm silk + matt lam | Qty 2000. Export: PDF/X-4 FOGRA51, crop+bleed marks, 3mm bleed, embed fonts, no security. Pack: /01-PDF /02-Native /03-Links /04-Fonts /job-ticket.pdf + proof photo. ``` - Pairs inkscape-vector for layout and canva-brand for palette-to-CMYK mapping. - Complements logo-identity delivery for print-ready lockups and Pantone refs.