Please read carefully: Virtually all delays in production are caused by incorrectly supplied artwork. Our printers will only accept press ready pdf's created from their Quark Xpress templates.

Please do not assume any artwork you have had printed elsewhere will be acceptable. All artwork must be supplied to our printers specifications.

Download these guidelines

• CD templates
• CD label templates
• CD/DVD dual disc templates
• LP templates
• DVD templates

Quark Xpress:

All artwork must be supplied as high resolution press-ready PDFs.
Please use the printer’s templates, provided here in Quark / PDF format.

PDFs not supplied to these templates are unacceptable. For additional templates (digipaks, roll-fold booklets, etc.) please contact us directly.
If you are unsure about creating PDFs, we can accept native Quark files (up to 6.5 Mac / PC) with all supporting files and fonts.

Indesign:

Import the template PDF into Indesign and use this as a guide for creating your layout. Please ensure this is on a separate layer from the artwork. If you are using Indesign, you must save your layouts as EPS files so we can place artwork into the correct Quark templates.

Illustrator:

Import the template PDF into Illustrator and use this as a guide for creating your layout. Please ensure this is on a separate layer from the artwork. Any artwork supplied as Illustrator files must be saved as EPS so we can place artwork into the correct Quark templates.

Photoshop:

Import the template PDF into Photoshop and use this as a guide for creating your layout. Please ensure this is on a separate layer to the artwork. Photoshop files must be supplied layered with all fonts rasterized. All Photoshop files must be 300dpi resolution / CMYK.

Guidelines for supplying print-ready artwork

• Your PDF document must match the Quark document dimensions precisely. PDF's incorrectly sized will be rejected.
• All fonts must be included. Please embed all fonts in your PDF settings.
• All artwork must include a minimum bleed of 3mm all the way round. Look at the template key for bleed/trim guides.
• Stitched booklets must be supplied as PRINTER’S SPREADS. For an 8pg booklet this means Page 8 & Page 1 / Page 2 & Page 7 / etc. Layouts supplied as reader’s spreads or single pages are not acceptable.
• All images must be minimum 300dpi resolution.
• Colour images must be saved as CMYK.
• All colours must be set up correctly in Quark: any new colours must be pantone or CMYK set to process separation.
• Use the Device N setting in Quark to correctly output spot colours.
• Barcode images must be 100% black on a white background to scan correctly. Ensure these are not output as CMYK.
• Black areas must NOT be set to 100% across all plates. Dense black areas MUST be set to CMYK.

All distributed titles must carry a PHD logo (available on request) and the following text on the backcard:
Distributed by Plastic Head Music Distribution Ltd.
Avtech House, Hithercroft Road, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 9DA
Email: info@plastichead.com | www.plastichead.com

CD On-body Artwork

Please use the Quark template Deluxe_Template.qxt
Our pressing plant requires CD on-body artwork as high resolution press ready PDFs.
When creating the PDF please ensure registration is turned off and the PDF size is 120mm x 120mm
Ensure the centre hole is visible.
Any pantones must be noted on the PDF.
Please specify whether you require a white or silver base.

Uploading Artwork Files

Please upload artwork files to our FTP:
ftp server = ftp.plastichead.com or ftp://ftp.plastichead.com (Windows Explorer)
username = phdftp
password = headplast1c
Ensure you upload files to the ‘graphics’ folder, and NOT to the root.

Artwork not to the specification supplied will incur extra artwork charges and will result in a delay in production.

Any additional work carried out by Plastic Head will be charged at our hourly rate (currently £45 per hour).

If you are unsure about any of the above artwork requirements – please contact us BEFORE submitting any artwork.

Graphic Design

Adrian Wear
a.wear@plastichead.com
Tel: +44 (0)1491 825029

Steve Meyer-Rassow
s.meyer-rassow@plastichead.com
Tel: +44 (0)1491 825029