Business Cards (PMS)

Submission specifications for Business Cards (PMS)

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 the PMS color code(s).

Use uncoated PMS colors for products printed on uncoated paper (offset paper, Biotop and Conqueror Vergé), and use coated PMS colors for products printed on machine coated papers (gloss and silk), and every other product printed with PMS colors (gifts, textiles etc.).

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.

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%.

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.

Check line thickness

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

Check your artwork on overprint.

Make sure no elements in your artwork are set on overprint. Unless you want this effect in your design. The degree of transparency in printing depends on the ink, material, and printing method used.

Keep 4 mm safety margin from the fold.

Keep all important text and images at least 4 mm away from the fold.

Save the file for folded products as spreads.

The sides of folded products have to be laid out in a file next to each other.

Make a little folded model (dummy) to check how the pages have to be.

Make a little folded model (dummy) to check how the pages have to be.

Make sure the alignment and the sequence of the sides are recognizable.

Make sure the alignment and the sequence of the sides are recognizable (we do not check your document in terms of content).

Frequently Asked Questions for Business Cards (PMS)

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

• A business card is a card that contains your company / contact information and can be printed completely according to your wishes. It's the best way to make a lasting first impression on prospective customers / business partners.
• 
  This product is used to / as:
• • Exchange company/contact information
• -Represent your company's identity or brand
• -Introduce people to your business

What is pantone printing?

• Pantone colours are often used when a design only contains 1 to 4 colours. Pantone colours have a unique code within the Panton matching system (PMS), so that the result of colours used is always the same. PMS is mainly used for: Letterheads, envelopes, business cards and compliment cards.

Which materials can I choose from?

• 300gr offset: this material is mainly chosen when a writable stock is needed. This paper is also very suitable for stamping. Thickness: 0.3 mm
• 400gr silk MC: this paper is the thickest out of our range of materials and are 4x as thick as printing paper. This material is mainly used for unique and exclusive affairs. Thickness: 0,4mm
• 300 gsm biotop: this environmentally friendly paper has a classical look.
• 250 gsm conqueror white: This paper has a fine line-structure. It looks luxurious with a touch of cotton in the material.
• 250 gsm conqueror vergé creme: This paper has a fine line-structure. It looks luxurious because of the touch of cotton inside the material.

What is the fastest possible turnaround?

• The fastest possible turnaround for Business Cards (PMS) is:
• 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 Business Cards (PMS) we use the following production technique(s):
• 
  Offset Lithography printing or Litho printing makes it possible to provide larger quantities at unbeatable prices. This technique creates images and text with wet ink and transferred to each paper sheet with aluminium and rubber plates. This method is more extensive than its 'digital’ counterpart because of the different printing materials that are used. Still, it is the most cost-effective option when you order bigger printed batches.

Which carriers are used for the delivery?

• For the delivery of your Business Cards (PMS) we use multiple carriers. Because of the highest reliability, in most cases we use UPS or DPD.
• UPS
• 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 Business Cards (PMS) 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.