3d printers

 All printers will need a 3d printers ready artwork file to print from, regardless of whether the task involved can be an offset or digital print.

In the case of offset printing this print ready artwork file is going to be used to produce printing plates - these plates dictate which colours and how much of each colour reaches the page to become the necessary image.

IN the case of digital printing, no plates are needed - the print ready PDF file is uploaded straight in to the digital printer and production can commence. This is among the advantages of digital printing - small runs are now cost effective and faster production times are possible because costly printing plates are not required. This extra step in the production process is removed, and thus some jobs may be printed a dispatched in the same day.

Either printing option takes a print ready PDF file - Print ready describes the industry standard method for preparing an art apply for production. The designer should convert all texts to outlines, flatten all effects, confirm all colours are labelled correctly and created in the right colour spectrum (CMYK or spot colour). Trim marks must certanly be added with 3mm bleed on all edges.

Most printers like it when customers supply print ready artwork and some will offer an 'in house' artwork/ design service. Additionally there are a lot of designers around who can make print ready artwork for you. The price, degree of artistic flare, design skill and software knowledge/ability of those 'designers' will be different greatly, therefore it can pay to see some types of recent work. Make sure your designer has the knack for arranging your artwork in a balanced and professional manner - This is harder than it sounds and a poorly justified or balanced document or brochure / business card will be noticeable being an amateur creation. Remember than any print job can just only be as good as the look that's been chosen.

When perusing a designer's back catalogue, check for recurring themes or colours that look like consistent between their works for different companies. Some designers get stuck in a ditch, or mounted on a certain look which could sometime homogenise their body of work without them realising.

The next phase is to select a printer who can take your artwork and manufacture the finished product. Just like designers, the purchase price, quality, reliability and degree of service offered by printers and printing businesses will be different greatly.

Offset Printing - Digital Printer

My advice is always to request stock samples and review a portfolio of recent work which was printed on the same stock and the same colour spectrum eg CMYK or PMS spot colour. Ask to see a label or label or banner etc as close as possible to the specifications you require.

Also discuss your needs with the sales/admin staff to get a feel for his or her degree of service and reliability. The length of time did it bring them to offer a quotation? If they said they would quote by way of a certain time, did they fulfil that commitment?

You may even desire to enquire regarding production times, courier options and freight prices. Types of payment and payment terms are another facter to consider. Some 3d printers companies will need payment up front before production and others may issue an invoice upon completion with payment terms for repeat customers.

I would recommend that you ask as much questions as possible and have a clear knowledge of your priorities when choosing a printer or designer for your business cards, stickers & labels, brochures etc..