supplying artwork

digital files
We can accept digital files via ftp, e-mail and on CD-R, DVD-R, DVD+R and ZIP100 Disks.
Media should be formatted so that it is readable on the Apple Mac platform.
For ftp upload an area has been made available to customers. In order for you to use this facility will need to contact us for access details and you will need suitable ftp software such as CuteFTP or Fetch (many others are available).
To e-mail your artwork you will need to contact us with the file size (we do not recommend files over 10mb). After which we will let you have a private mailbox to which you can send your submission.
We recommend that Apple Mac files be compressed using Stuffit compression software and PC files with Winzip prior to transmision. This will make files less susceptible to corruption.

images and text

images
Prints, transparencies and digital files are accepted.
Please note the following suggestions and take great care when packaging your images for posting.

Flat artwork

• prints should be supplied flat in a protective envelope or rolled and contained within a strong postal tube.
• folding of flat material should be avoided, prints that have been folded will quite likely show the crease marks when scanned.

Transparencies and film

• do not send glass slide mounts through the post.
• 35mm slides are best sent in plastic boxes with the lid secured within a padded envelope.
• place sleeved film between two strong pieces of card within a padded envelope, mark DO NOT BEND.
• larger formats are more susceptible to damage so take extra precautions.

Once we have stored your files we will return your images and disks using the same care and consideration we would expect if they were our own.

We will scan prints up to A4 in size and transparencies from 35mm to 5x4. We include up to four scans for each design in your order free of charge. If you require more than four scans please refer to our scanning price list.

We are pleased to work on images to ensure they are optimised for print and also offer retouching and maniplulation services such as removing backgrounds, blending images adjusting colour balance etc.

copy and text
Hand written, typed or word processor files are accepted.
When you supply the wording to be included with your design please ensure that it is clear and legible. Be sure to check all spelling, we are not to know whether or not a spelling mistake was intended. We will not make corrections to copy supplied unless requested to do so, we will however contact you if we feel something you have typed or written could be in error. After all we want you to be pleased with both the product and the service.

pre-designed artwork

compatibility
PicWorks was set up to produce bespoke full colour printed business cards and postcards from our own design work with your images.
We do accept pre-designed work in a number of software packages though and if you intend to supply your own you should be aware that delays could occur due to software or hardware incompatibility.
When submitting pre designed work you MUST include an accurate colour printout on suitable paper or a copy of a previously printed item.

layout
Most of our products follow standard 'A' paper sizes. Please supply everything in a 'one up' basis, i.e. provide one business card on a 90x50 or 85x55 page or an A6 postcard on a 105x148 page.

scans and digital images
Images should be provided at a minimum of 400dpi at the finished size to ensure the best reproduction quality and saved in CMYK format. We can convert from RGB to CMYK for you, but it must be understood the colours will change slightly. Uncompressed TIFF file formats are preferred but we also accept images in many other formats including JPEG and GIF. Care should be taken when providing images in other formats as compression may be used that will reduce final quality.

bleed
Images, background colours and fills that are intended to extend to the edge of the page should be extended 2mm beyond the page to give a bleed. Text, boxes and other areas you need on your finished job should sit 3mm in from the edges of the page.

colour
If you wish to specify a colour we recommend the use of Pantone® Colour swatches rather than relying on screen colours. If you do use screen colours as a guide, ensure that your monitor is correctly calibrated.

fonts
We have a large number of fonts available to us however; we may not have the particular one you have chosen. So, please supply all fonts used in your design. We will use these fonts to output your job, once complete they will be deleted from our system due to copyright restraints; subsequent reprints will require that you supply the fonts again.

supported software
We work on Apple Mac computers and can accept files created in a range of software applications: