Printers Print Size

EBMarsden

New Member
Hi,

I have two questions that although may seem simple to yourselves has been confusing me for a long time.

I do the high majority of my work in Adobe Illustrator with the rest being done in Photoshop. The question I have follows downloading these templates:

http://www.graphicdesignforums.co.uk/threads/free-print-templates.322/

However I'm putting the question here as it's more so to do with the printers.

Q1: When setting up a document of an A5 folder for example, the template above asks me to delete the layer. How will the printers know where the cuts/folds are if I've deleted the layer? Surely then it's just a completely blank artboard? Do printers buy pre-folded folders and I must design to their dimensions only?
Q2: Creating documents with folders/windows/cuts in generally confuses me as to how the printers know where I want them to be, can anyone please explain how they do this? Another example could be UV finish... would this just be a case of me highlighting it in a yellow colour for example and asking the printer to print the yellow in UV?

OR... are all these questions I need to ask and discuss with the print company themselves?
I understand these questions kind of don't make sense, but it's confusing me quite a bit.
Any simple design/print like a flat business card isn't a problem for me and I can easily design and get printed.

Thanks for any replies.
 
https://indesignsecrets.com/creating-keylines.php

That's me in that post by the way - that's how you setup the keyline.

Solid line denotes a cut, dotted lines denote folds.

Add rectangle solid on the page, that's what gets cut out.

Some printers ask for the keylines overlayed. Some ask for the keylines separate files. It depends.

Same with spot uv - create a 'silhouette' shape over the image, and set to a SPot colour and name it Spot UV and then also remember to set it to Overprint (as in the above linked post).

Let me know if that helps!
 
Q1: Generally speaking, each print firm has their own cutting dies which they use to create folders from flat sheets of paperstock (they dont buy pre-made folders). In the same token, printers will supply you with a template for their folders so if you set your file up within the perameters of that template, the layer desn't need to be there as the printer will know where their cuts, creases etc.. will fall.

Q2: If you're expecting custom elements such a window cutting, you need to speak to your printer! They'll likely have to get a cutting plate made up specially which will add upwards of £100 to the cost of teh job.

As for spot UV, printers will usually ask for a spot colour layer so they can separate it out or a separate page.
 
Spot colour layer set to overprint

Dead on on the templates and best to request the formes printers already use to avoid setup costs of new formes
 
Thanks very much for the replies! They've cleared things up a lot.

I'm going to get started on a design for A5 folders which I already have prepared. I will let you know how I get on. Thanks again.
 
Okay... here is the problem I have. Below is an image(link) of a A5 Presentation Folder we've had professionally designed. We are happy with the design and essentially I just want to copy it:

http://imgur.com/a/qPdqU

First of all what I don't want to give the impression that I just want to get everything/advice for free (even though essentially that is what I'm asking for). I just really want to move forward with web & print design so I can offer it as a service to customers.
What I would like to know is how can I get started with the Page Setup of something like this? Adding content to the folder isn't a problem, like colours, logo's, text, images, etc. On some templates I've downloaded I've noticed they don't have a 'gusset', but if I start messing with the template won't that change all the dimensions and then the folder won't fold correctly?

Even if you can point me in the right direction as to where I can get started for this I'd appreciate it.
 
Page size should be a little bit over the flat size of the piece.

Work to having your document setup to a SRA1/2/3/4 size, depending on the size of the folder. Create your keyline in Illustrator with a spot colour and set it to overprint. Place your keyline into InDesign (or design in Illustrator if you like or create your keyline in InDesign, it doesn't matter...) Then put the Keyline on the upper most layer.

As long as you fit in SRA sized sheet, and fit within the dims of the keyline for your printed job, it should all workout fine.

Again, talk to your printers in regards to best setup, everyone is a bit different and require different things.
 
Unfortunately I'm still having trouble. I think I'm generally too overwhelmed with it with the little experience I have. At the moment I only have access to Adobe Illustrator CC and Photoshop, is it crucial to get InDesign for these tasks? As I said in a previous post, flat and simple designs such as business cards and flat A5 / A4 paper isn't a problem... it's just folds, gussets, UV, etc that I just can't get my head around. Can anyone give me advice as to where I can get started to learn this?

@Boss Hog - Sorry, I don't understand your question. What do you mean?
 
Unfortunately I'm still having trouble. I think I'm generally too overwhelmed with it with the little experience I have. At the moment I only have access to Adobe Illustrator CC and Photoshop, is it crucial to get InDesign for these tasks? As I said in a previous post, flat and simple designs such as business cards and flat A5 / A4 paper isn't a problem... it's just folds, gussets, UV, etc that I just can't get my head around. Can anyone give me advice as to where I can get started to learn this?

@Boss Hog - Sorry, I don't understand your question. What do you mean?

http://rwillustrator.blogspot.ie/2008/01/ask-mordy-adding-keylines-to-placed.html
http://www.smcprint.ie/index.php/ab...ally-add-a-dieline-die-cut-keyline-to-artwork

http://www.hellmanproduction.com/design-basics/how-to-setup-foil-or-spot-uv-in-artwork.html
 
@Boss Hog - Just practising really. We actually have 500x in stock already, I just want to be able to create more.

@hankscorpio - Thanks very much. I haven't looked over them links yet but will give them a read as soon as I can.
 
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