Here you can find our general specifications for print files for offset and digital printing. Specifications for specific products, especially for large-format printing, may vary. For details, please contact your designated contact person. You can also download and print the file specifications as a PDF.
I. Color
- Printing is generally done in four-color process (CMYK color space: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black; abbreviated 4C).aPrinting is generally done in four-color process (CMYK color space: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black; abbreviated as 4C).
- Print products that are printed only in black must contain only the color black (abbreviated as 1C).
- Print products using spot colors may contain only the product-specific number of colors (e.g., 5C for CMYK + spot color or 2C for Black + spot color).
Color profile
When converting RGB image data (primary colors: Red, Green, Blue) to CMYK, color deviations can occur because the two color spaces are not fully identical, and certain RGB tones cannot be reproduced in CMYK (e.g., bright turquoise or pink). For high-impact colors, product-specific HKS or Pantone solid colors may be used (see spot and special colors for print finishing).
Depending on the substrate, a specific color profile (Output Intent) must be used:
- Uncoated papers: PSO Uncoated ISO12647
- Coated papers: ISO Coated v2 300%
- Large-format prints: ISO Coated v2
The ICC files for the respective color profiles can be downloaded free of charge from www.eci.org.
- Maximum total ink coverage: 300%
- Minimum total ink coverage: 10%
The maximum total ink coverage is the sum of all overlapping inks (e.g., 80% Cyan + 75% Magenta + 95% Yellow + 50% Black = 300% total ink). A total ink coverage below 10% may cause tonal breaks in printing. Total ink coverage above 300% may cause printing or finishing issues depending on the printing process.
Black color
- Create black text in 100% black only (0% Cyan, 0% Magenta, 0% Yellow, 100% Black).
- Grayscale tones should ideally be created using pure black only, without mixing Cyan, Magenta, or Yellow.
- For warm grays, up to 10% Magenta may be added; for cool grays, up to 10% Cyan may be added (applies only to four-color process printing).
White color
- Objects and text in white must not be set to overprint or given blending modes such as Multiply, as they will otherwise disappear in the print.
- If white is to be printed in large format (e.g., on transparent, metallic, or colored substrates), it must be defined as a spot color with the corresponding color name.
For white-backed prints, the layer order and overprint settings must be observed. Please refer to the product-specific data sheets for detailed specifications.
Spot and special colors for print finishing
- When printing with spot colors, define the colors as solid colors (HKS or Pantone) with a clear color name.
- Predefined solid colors must be chosen according to the substrate or output condition (HKS N or Pantone U for uncoated papers, HKS K or Pantone C for all other substrates).
- Pure CMYK printing must not include any spot colors.
- For print finishing (varnish, embossing, perforation, die-cutting, etc.), the corresponding objects must be defined as solid colors with the appropriate color name. Data for print finishing must be supplied in a separate PDF. Please refer to the product-specific data sheets for detailed specifications.
Color gradients
For optimal print results without visible banding, create color gradients preferably in an image editing program rather than directly in the layout program, and insert them as images.
II. Images
Image resolution
- Optimal image resolution: 300 to 400 dpi
- Large format prints (from DIN A2): min. 100 to 150 dpi
At lower resolutions, the print result may appear blurred, or individual image points (pixels) may be visible to the naked eye. For large format prints, the visible pixels are less noticeable due to the generally greater viewing distance, so a lower resolution is sufficient.
Image compression
- JPG images: Set compression to low or image quality to high.
- TIF images: Use ZIP compression.
If the image compression is too high, streaks or unattractive color blocks, so-called JPEG artifacts, may appear in the print.
Graphics and lines
- Positive lines (dark lines on a light background) should be at least 0.25 pt / 0.09 mm thick.
- Negative lines (light lines on a dark background) should be at least 0.5 pt / 0.18 mm thick.
- For optimal line reproduction, the ink coverage should be at least 90 %.
- For solid black objects or large, bold black text on colored backgrounds, add 15 % to 20 % cyan or magenta to prevent background colors from showing through..
Transparencies
Avoid using transparencies in layout programs wherever possible, for example
- Objects with less than 100 % opacity
- Objects with effects such as shadows or glows
- Objects using blending modes such as Multiply
- Isolated images within layout files
Apply transparencies and effects directly in an image editing program rather than in the layout software. Flatten image layers to the background layer to prevent unwanted effects that can occur during later transparency flattening during PDF creation (PDF/X‑3, PDF/X‑1A), or export the PDF in the newer PDF/X‑4 standard (see PDF standard).
III. Text
- The font size should be at least 6 pt (uppercase height not less than 1.4 mm).
- Fonts must be fully embedded in PDF files or converted to outlines.
- For reversed text (light text on dark backgrounds), do not use overly thin font weights (Light or Thin). It is always recommended to choose a font weight thicker than that of a comparable text on a light background.
Spelling
Please check your text for errors. Unless a proofreading or copyediting service has been commissioned, we do not make any changes to the content of your print files.
IV. Pages
- The page size must follow the specific product requirements.
- Bleed elements, e.g., backgrounds that extend to the trimmed final size, must be placed beyond the page edge (so-called bleed) to prevent white flashes due to cutting tolerances.
- Unless otherwise specified in the product-specific data sheet, the bleed is generally 3 mm (5 mm for large-format prints).
- Objects and text that are not to be bled should be positioned at a safe distance of at least 3 to 5 mm from the edge (correspondingly more for large-format prints).
- Multi-page documents should be created as single pages (not as imposition layouts).
- The page order in the PDF must correspond to the page sequence of the printed product.
- For complex page sequences and assemblies, a physical dummy should be provided to show the page order.
Exceptions, e.g., for covers of perfect-bound or thread-sewn brochures or promotional items, can be found in the product-specific data sheets.
V. Perfect binding
Crossover images between the cover and inside pages
At the transitions from the inside cover pages (U2, U3) to the first or last content page, a production-related side-gluing of 6 mm is required. This means that on these pages, 6 mm less usable space is available at the spine than on the other pages. This must be taken into account especially for crossover images and graphics, so they run across both pages without visible misalignment.
To achieve this, the images must be shifted outward from the spine:
- Inside front cover (U2): 6 mm to the left
- First content page: 6 mm to the right
- Last content page: 6 mm to the left
- Inside back cover (U3): 6 mm to the right
Full-bleed images in the content
With perfect-bound books, the inner gutter (a narrow area in the middle of the opened pages) is not fully visible. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the position of crossover images and graphics that span across two content pages.
To achieve this, images must be shifted away from the inner gutter:
- Left-hand content page: 3 mm to the left
- Right-hand content page: 3 mm to the right
VI. File
- The standard print data format is PDF.
Alternative file formats such as JPG or TIF are possible depending on the product or by prior arrangement. Please refer to the product-specific data sheets for the relevant specifications.
PDF export settings
- PDF/X standard (see PDF standard)
- Embed fonts completely or convert them to outlines
- Color space: CMYK
- Output condition (color profile): according to the printing substrate (see Color profile)
- Image resolution: min. 300 dpi (see Image resolution)
- Bleed: 3 mm (or 5 mm for large-format prints)
- Print marks: crop marks can optionally be exported
- Export PDF pages in a single file as individual pages, not as imposed spreads
- PDF files must not be encrypted (no password protection for opening, printing, or editing)
Transparencies must generally be flattened to the background layer. For products and layouts where transparencies cannot be flattened, the PDF/X-4 format may be used by prior arrangement.
Open layout files can only be processed by prior arrangement. In such cases, only source files from Adobe InDesign (INDD) or Adobe Illustrator (AI) are accepted.
The open files must be supplied using the Package function, including all used fonts (except Adobe Fonts) and linked files. Otherwise, processing the files and exporting a print-ready PDF is not possible.
For further information on file requirements, please refer to the product-specific data sheets.
PDF standard
PDF files must be exported in the PDF/X standard:
- PDF/X-4 – recommended for print data where transparencies cannot be flattened
PDF/X-3
PDF/X-1A – recommended for large-format prints
Data check
In our basic data check, we review the technical criteria of your print file, including the PDF format, image resolution, color space, color profile, bleed, and font embedding.
If there are deviations from the standard, we will provide feedback and give you the opportunity to adjust and resend your print data yourself. Upon request, we can perform automatic corrections and conversions, where technically possible, to make your PDF file print-ready. Please note that due to technical reasons, this may lead to deviations from the desired print result.
For print approval, we will provide you with a processed softproof PDF. Please check the sent PDF carefully. Printing will only proceed after your written production approval.
Data preparation
Issues that cannot be resolved through automatic correction or conversion can, where technically possible, be processed for you as part of our chargeable premium data check. The costs incurred depend on the time and effort involved and will be communicated to you in advance. In addition to format adjustments, individual colors can be corrected and, to a limited extent, content modifications can also be made.
Certain factors cannot be corrected in the PDF retrospectively and will prevent the data from being processed. In such cases, the submitted PDF will not be print-ready. Exclusion criteria include, among others, non-embedded fonts or a password-protected file. In this case, you must provide us with a print PDF that complies with the technical specifications.
VII. Proof prints
Offset printing is carried out according to the standardized specifications of ISO 12647 (PSO, Process Standard Offset Printing). For digital printing methods, such as inkjet or color laser printing, as well as digital large-format printing with UV or solvent inks, such standardization is currently not possible due to differing technologies and substrates.
Proof prints provide an additional visual reference for color matching during printing. Upon request, we can produce chargeable proof prints for you. The costs depend on the scope and format and will be quoted separately.
Proofs are printed on a calibrated printer using standardized paper. A 100% color match cannot be guaranteed, as, for example, different paper types can only be simulated and spot colors (solid colors) are converted into a CMYK equivalent. Certain spot colors cannot be physically reproduced correctly in four-color printing. Metallic colors such as silver, gold, or fluorescent colors cannot be simulated with a proof print.
You are also welcome to provide your own color proofs for print matching. The proofs must include a UGRA/FOGRA media wedge and correspond to the output condition of the final product.
VIII. Sample production
We are happy to produce unprinted white samples or printed dummies—such as brochures, self-mailers, or packaging samples—either as a single item or in small quantities. Please ask your contact person if needed; we will prepare a corresponding quotation for you.
Status: 04/11/2025