SHOULD I SUPPLY A PROOF?
HOW DO I GET A PRINT MADE?
WHAT FILE FORMATS DO YOU SUPPORT?
WHAT RESOLUTION SHOULD I USE?
HOW DO I FORMAT TEXT?
CAN I LINK IMAGES TO FILES?
WHAT SHOULD MY FILE SIZE BE?
HOW BIG CAN MY PRINT BE?
CAN I SUPPLY YOU WITH A COLOUR PROOF?
WHAT COLOUR SPACE SHOULD I USE?
WHAT INKS DO YOU USE?
HOW SHOULD I SUPPLY MY ARTWORK TO YOU?
WHAT IS BLEED AND HOW MUCH SHOULD I LEAVE?
I HAVE A QUESTION THAT'S NOT LISTED HERE.
YES! It is very important that you provide a proof or mock up of the finished or intended print work where possible. This is to make your print job as clear as possible. This does not have to be an amazing artwork, but merely a dummy or rough design of your idea. The dummy or mock up will also clarify the following points:
Firstly, it will actually show us where the intended cropping will go and give an idea as to how much bleed is exactly needed... Secondly, if printing a book it shows which pages back each other.
If you also have a colour proof of the artwork, then please also include that.
Ordering a print couldn't be easier. Either post your files to Mat together with your requirements or ring on 07754 702090 to arrange an appointment at the studio for a personal consultation. If you would like to be present when your work is proofed, please let Mat know when you book an appointment, mat@matsant.com
NB: You must contact Mat to arrange an appointment in advance.
The price guide contains our current prices. A quote can be given over the phone, by e-mail or through the post.
Payment is to be made by cheque for the full amount, payable to Mat Sant with your order.
Payment to be sent to: Mat Sant Prints, 20 Great Western Studios, Alfred Road, London, W2 5EU
Your work will not be printed until payment is received.
What file formats do you support?
Most formats are accepted in PC format: Photoshop, Illustrator, Freehand, InDesign EPS, EPS, Tiff, JPeg and PDF pages.
Your image resolution depends on the type of image or print that you wish to have made. Typically a resolution of between 300 and 400 dpi is recommended for all photographic or fine art prints. Files that include text, vector graphics or imagery with very high levels of detail (i.e. hair, grass or very smooth gradations) should have a resolution of no more than 800 dpi. All files must not exceed a MB size of 400MB when open.
Due to the thousands of fonts available on the market, Mat does not support the use of any unusual fonts. Although Mat has several fonts, due to compatibility problems in the past all text must be converted to vector shapes or outlines.
You can link as many images to files as you like. You are however asked to ensure that all image files are linked to documents within the same folder and to included them with your print files when you deliver you work to Mat. Any missing images or lost links delay print production.
Your file size depends on the resolution of your image and the physical dimensions of the file. There is a limit of 400 MB per file. This applies to the opened file, not the saved file. (Depending on the file format, this may appear less once saved.)
How big can my Giclée print be?
There is a print limit of 162 cm x 230 cm. (64" x 9ft 10in)
There is a minimum print size of A2. (42 x 59.5cm) For print runs of 10 or more, this is reduced to A3. (29.7 x 42cm) Special exception is made for artists books which start from 21cm square and up.
Can I supply you with a colour proof?
Any colour proof that you care to supply is welcome. This helps to accurately match your colour palette. These proofs are returned with your finished print.
Please note that Mat uses 7 and 9 colour ultrachrome ink sets. These inks are different to the inks that many small ink-jet printers use. For this reason, there may be a differing colour gamut between your proof and the final printed artwork.
What colour space should I use?
For large format Giclée printing use: S-RGB, Adobe 98, Euroscale Uncoated V2 and grey gamma 1.8 colour spaces.
Mat uses ultrachrome inks. These are archival to in excess of 80 years. As they are a hybrid ink set, they have the brightness of dye based inks with the archival quality of pigmented inks. These are water resistant when used in conjunction with specially coated media.
Lightfast specifications of inks:
Lightfastness Test Criteria (Indoor Display Condition)†
Light source : Fluorescent light
Intensity : 70k lux
Temperature : 24°C
Humidity : 60%
Glass mount : 2mm, soda lime
Fade criteria : Pure YMC 30% loss at OD=1
Display-life Calculation : Total intensity/(500lux x 10hours x 365=1year)
Tests developed and conducted by EPSON.
How should I supply my artwork to you?
Whenever possible please use a CD to supply your work. This would preferably be on a PC hybrid formatted disc. USB keys and flash drives are not accepted!
What is bleed and how much should I leave?
Bleed is the amount of image, background or fill that prints over the edge of the trimmed print. This is important as when your print is cut to size, no thin white line is accidentally left visible between your Images/background and the edge of the page. The bleed should extend at least 3mm beyond the cutting edge of the finished print. (If your flyer is an A4 size, 21 x 29.7cm, then your overall artwork should be 21.6 x 30.3cm.) Please take care that any important text or artwork is correctly placed within the cutting plane and not on the bleed.
Note: Your document size/set up should be the same as your final trimmed print size.
I have a question that's not listed here...
If you have any questions regarding file preparation for print, or have any queries, please contact Mat on 07754 702090 or email mat@matsant.com
