Plan / Artwork guide
Check your artwork against the agreed print specification. This guide covers the dimensions, page order and proof checks to work through before approval.
The finished size is the size of the printed piece after trimming and finishing. Make sure everyone is using the same dimensions and orientation before the artwork is prepared.
A folded piece also needs a clear open size and an agreed fold plan. We confirm the project-specific file setup rather than applying one template to every job.
Bleed extends background artwork beyond the final cut. The trim line describes the finished edge. Important type and marks are kept inside a safe area, away from that edge.
The actual allowances are agreed for the format and production method. The diagram explains the relationship; it is not a file template.
Confirm the page sequence, cover treatment, blank pages and any separate inserts. For a folded piece, check the outside and inside panels in the order the reader will see them.
A simple folded paper dummy can help the project team review the structure before the final artwork is approved.
Check the text, spelling, page order, image placement and the details that are easy to overlook, such as contact information or an event date. Confirm that the proof matches the agreed version.
Color and paper questions may need a physical reference or a different kind of proof. Agree that requirement with the studio rather than treating every screen image as a final color match.