Stapled Booklets

Submission specifications for Stapled Booklets

Save the file for booklets as one PDF document with single pages.

Save the file for booklets not as spreads (two pages facing each other), but as PDF document with single pages, starting with the cover page (NOTE: saving as a multi-page PDF means 1 PDF file with multiple pages inside). Delete empty unnecessary pages from the file with the final save. Desired blank pages have to stay in the file.

Add 3 mm bleed.

To allow leeway for cutting differences in production, always add a bleed of 3 mm around all edges of your design. Make sure colours, background pictures and layouts extend into the bleed area so as to avoid leaving white lines as a result of cutting tolerances.

Keep 4 mm safety margin

Keep all important text and images at least 4 mm away from the edge of the finished size. Exclusive finishes need to be within the safety margin.

Use CMYK as the colour mode.

Prepare your files using CMYK as the colour mode, not RGB. Use colourmode FOGRA39 (ISO Coated v2) for coated papertypes and colourmode FOGRA47 (PSO Uncoated ISO12647) for uncoated papertypes. If you are unsure of the colour mode of your file, don't worry we can always convert this for you. Keep in mind this can cause the colours to differ from the original file.

Resolution of at least 300 dpi.

Make sure the resolution of the images and graphics in your artwork are at least 300 dpi.

Convert fonts to outlines or embed all the fonts.

Make sure you convert fonts to outlines or embed all the fonts when saving it to PDF.

Fonts should be at least 6pt.

Fonts should be at least 6 pt.

Save your files in uneditable, print-ready file formats.

Save your files in uneditable, print-ready file formats (PDF (1.4 or higher), TIFF, EPS, JPG). Deliver your files in one layer: the background layer.

Use the right values for full colour black.

Use Rich Black (C:63% M:52% Y:51% K:100%) for larger areas and text to get a deep black colour. Do not use this value for text smaller than 15 pt or plain text. This can only be used in full colour printing. For designing black smaller texts use 100% black.

Make sure the ink coverage isn't higher than 300%.

Force Color Images to CMYK with a 260% ink limit (in Photoshop > Convert Color Profile > Photoshop 5 Default CMYK). Make sure the ink coverage isn't higher than 300%.

Check line thickness.

Lines should be at least 0.25 pt. Negative lines should be at least 0.5 pt.

Check your artwork for overprint.

Make sure no elements in your artwork are set on overprint unless you want this effect in your design. You can read more about overprint in our Help Centre.

Frequently Asked Questions for Stapled Booklets

Why can my booklets only be printed per 4 pages?

• 
  To make sure that there are no pages falling out of the brochure, we make use of a format that is twice as large as the final format of the brochure.
  When you choose for a A4 size brochure with 8 pages, then we will print two A3 sheets (two times as big as A4) and fold it in half. When you want to number the pages you will find out that you can number from 1 to 8. Every A3 sheet will have four pages. Don't have enough content to fill four pages? Then, there are some solutions of course: You can find a sponsor who would like to have his advertisments in you brochure or make use of an extra introduction page. You can leave 1 or more pages white, or be creative and design an extra page in the style of your brochure.

What is the maximum amount of pages per brochure?

• "The maximum amount of pages is dependent on the type of paper you choose. When the amount of pages is too high the form of the brochure will change because of the air inside. To prevent this, we have stated a maximum amount of pages per type of paper: 90gsm silk MC: maximum of 64 pages per brochure 135gsm gloss MC: maximum of 64 pages per brochure 170gsm silk MC: maximum of 48 pages per brochure 250gsm gloss MC: maximum of 36 pages per brochure Would you like a brochure with more than 64 pages? Please have a look at our Booklets (perfect bound)."

Is the amount of pages equal to the amount of paper sheets?

• No, this is because the brochures are being folded and printed on both sides. A papersheet gets folded in the middle so it covers 4 pages (2 on the front, 2 on the back).

Which materials can I choose from?

• 90 gsm silk mc: this paper is the budget version of paper. It's light, thin and cheap: Ideal for distribution!
• 135gr gloss MC: this material is especially ideal for distribution. They are lightweight, yet half thicker than printing paper. Thickness: 0.11 mm
• 170gr silk MC: this material gives your product a business-look. It is ideal for use at a fair or business-stand. Thickness: 0,17mm
• 250gr gloss MC: this paper is mainly used in the hospitality and retail. They are 3 times as thick as printing paper and thereby they feel pretty solid. Thickness: 0,22mm

What is this product exactly? And what can I use it for?

• A stapled brochure is a small book consisting of 8 or more pages and is finished with metal staples. A brochure consists of the contents (pages) and the cover, which don't have to be the same. Our brochures are available in various types of paper, combinations and numbers of pages!
• 
  This product is used:
• • Introduce people to your business
• • Serve as a presentation guide
• • Serve as an information guide
• • Serve as a pricelist
• • Bundle reports
• • Represent your company's identity or brand

What is the fastest possible turnaround?

• The fastest possible turnaround for Stapled Booklets is:
• Low quantities (digital print up to 250 pieces): next day High quantities (offset print from 250 - 1000 pieces): 2 working days High quantities (offset print from 1500 - 20000 pieces): 4 working days
• NOTE: only applicable for products which require your design: To make sure that your order is delivered at the indicated time, it is important that we receive your file with your design for the product, on time (also called cut-off time). In this way the product can be moved into production on time. The deadline is always communicated in the final step when putting your product together and in the box on the right which details your entire order.
• The cut-off time for your printed item may vary. This depends on the combination you choose. This has to do with the manufacturing technique and / or the order quantities.
• NOTE: The product delivery shifts a day every time the deadline for submission has passed. This is also the case if the file is rejected by us and corrected artwork isn't supplied before the next cut off time.

Which production techniques do you use?

• For the production of your Stapled Booklets we use the following production technique(s):
• Digital (up to 250 pieces): printed on professional HP Indigo printers, directly after your order is received. Digital printing is cheaper in lower order quantities.

Which carriers are used for the delivery?

• For the delivery of your Stapled Booklets we use multiple carriers. We use our most reliable carriers which in most cases are UPS or DPD.
• Other carriers we use are DHL and even our own courier service. These carriers are used for certain products (depending on the size, the turnaround and the quantity).

I can't find the product I'm looking for. Can I request a quotation?

• The Stapled Booklets that is chosen in most cases can be selected via our website.
• 
  If your material type, weight, quantity, size or other specification is not listed, you can request a quotation. We will send you our offer within 1 working day.
• Depending on the complexity this can take a bit longer.

Will my brochures be stapled?

• Yes, these brochures will be stapled. Every brochure contains 2 staples in the folding crease. Are you looking for a different way of finishing for your brochures? Please have a look at Booklets (loop stitched) or Booklets (perfect bound)!