Layout & Pre-press
Key question
Which format does the printed matter need, and what needs to be determined beforehand?
Before the first layout is created, the final format, page count, print run, printing process, paper, and binding are all determined. Anyone changing these later often has to rebuild everything from scratch.
Learning objective: You can set up a document in the correct final format with bleed and safety margins, and you know which specifications you need to obtain beforehand.
Clarify first, then create.
1.1 / Finished size and bleed
Three borders, three tasks.
The final format is the size after trimming. Because cutting machines are never completely accurate, backgrounds and full-bleed images must extend beyond the trim line into the bleed area. Important content should keep a safe distance from the edge.
01
Final format
The finished size after cutting, e.g. A5 = 148 × 210 mm.
02
Bleed
Allowance all round, usually 3 mm, so that no white edges appear after trimming.
03
safety distance
Inner margin to the edge, usually 3–6 mm, more for large formats.
Large formats such as banners or frame systems require larger margins, for instance due to eyelets or beading. The exact specifications are provided by the print shop.
Background into the bleed area, content into the safe zone.
1.2 / Number of pages and binding
Folding is done in increments of four.
For stapled or bound printed materials, each folded sheet creates four pages. The total page count must therefore be divisible by four. Exceptions include single sheets, concertina folds, accordion folds, and roll folds.
The binding also changes with the number of pages: thin booklets are stapled, while thicker ones are glued. The exact threshold depends on the paper. You can calculate the spine width in the Technical Lines module.
Four pages per sheet.
1.3 / What needs to be determined beforehand
Print run and process also determine the layout.
As a rule of thumb, digital printing is cost-effective for runs of up to around 500 copies, whilst offset printing pays off from around 1,000 copies. Finishes, spot colours, and specialist papers can shift these thresholds.
Paper, finishes such as varnish or embossing, colours, and fonts all need to be clarified together. Obtain the colour profile and artwork specifications from the printer before you set up your files.
A good brief saves three rounds of revisions.
Exercise
Create a print format
Task: Set up the document for an A5 programme booklet, 28 pages of content.
STEP 1
Clarifies the print run, paper, binding, and printing process.
STEP 2
Calculates the data format and page count using the format calculator.
STEP 3
Create the document with bleed and a safety margin.
STEP 4
Compare your files in the group: what is different?
Evaluation: Where did you arrive at the same solution, where did you not, and why?