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Artwork Files and Image Requirements

At Acumen we accept Eps and PDF files containing either high resolution (300 dpi) bitmap images, for printing digitally, or vector images for other printing methods; screen printing (for example).

Bitmap Images
Suitable for litho and digital printing

Bitmap images (also known as raster images) are made up of pixels in a grid. Pixels are picture elements; tiny dots of individual color that make up what you see on your screen. All these tiny dots of color come together to form the images.

Bitmap images are resolution dependent. Resolution refers to the number of pixels in an image and is stated as dpi (dots per inch).Bitmap images are displayed on your computer screen at screen resolution 72 dpi. However, when printing bitmaps, a printer needs much more image data than a monitor. In order to render a bitmap image accurately, printers need a minimum of 300 dpi.

Because bitmaps are resolution dependent, it's difficult to increase or decrease their size without sacrificing a degree of image quality. When you reduce the size of a bitmap image you must throw away pixels. When you increase the size of a bitmap image the software has to create new pixels. When creating pixels, software must estimate the color values of the new pixels based on the surrounding pixels. This process is called interpolation.

Scaling a bitmap image to a smaller size doesn't have any effect; in fact, when you do this you are effectively increasing the dpi of the image so that it will print clearer.

Common bitmap formats include:

BMP
GIF
JPEG, JPG
PNG
PICT (Macintosh)
PCX
TIFF
PSD (Adobe Photoshop)

The bitmap editing program used at Acumen is Adobe Photoshop.

Vector Images
Suitable for all types of printing

Vector images are made up of many individual, scalable objects. These objects are defined by mathematical equations rather than pixels, so they always render at the highest quality. Objects may consist of lines, curves, and shapes with editable attributes such as colour, fill, and outline.

Because they're scalable, vector-based images are resolution independent. You can increase and decrease the size of vector images to any degree and your lines will remain crisp and sharp, both on screen and in print. Fonts are a type of vector object (unless in a bitmap).

Vector images have many advantages, but the primary disadvantage is that they're unsuitable for producing photo-realistic imagery. Vector images are usually made up of solid areas of color or gradients, but they cannot depict the continuous subtle tones of a photograph.

Vector images primarily originate from software. You can't scan an image and save it as a vector file without using special conversion software. On the other hand, vector images can, quite easily, be converted to bitmaps. This process is called rasterizing.

Common vector formats include:

AI (Adobe Illustrator)
CDR (CorelDRAW)
CMX (Corel Exchange)
CGM Computer Graphics Metafile
DXF AutoCAD
WMF Windows Metafile

The vector editing program used at Acumen is Adobe Illustrator.

Eps and PDF Files

Eps and PDF files are types of PostScript files. This means that they are designed first and foremost as files to preview artwork and not to print from. PostScript files consist of functions for describing and positioning lines, shapes, fills, and other graphical elements, which in essence means that they can contain both Bitmap and Vector based images.

This means that it depends on what the file contains as to its suitability to printing, which we find out by opening the file in Adobe Illustrator. Because of the nature of PostScript files they can be ready in a variety of programs.

Font Requirements

Font Format
If supplying your artwork in vector format (Ai, EPS or PDF) please make sure all fonts are converted to outlines. This stops your font from being substituted for another while still allowing us to scale and edit your artwork. If you have permission then send us the fonts you've used (TTF, of, PFM, fon). Once we have the correct fonts we can then open your files without your text being altered. If you can't do either of the above then we can get the font ourselves, but you will incur an extra artwork charge. This will depend on the font/fonts required, the charge is usually Ł30 per font. However you can save yourself the charge and have the font for yourself by buying it yourself and sending it to us.

Font Sizes
One of the main reasons why we might need to edit the text in your artwork is to make sure that when your artwork is printed all the text will still be visible. Text being printed on rough surfaces such as Jute bags needs to be as large as possible to prevent filling in. While text on Pens and Pencils will be very small, so we suggest a font size of no less than 6pt minimum.

Pantone Colour Chart

The selection below and on the next three pages is a small sample of Pantone colours and their references. If you need to specify a colour for something but only know you want pink one, then we recommend you use these colour charts to find the closest match you can and then tell us the reference number. This allows us to get as exact a match as possible.

Please note: the following colour chart is for guidance purposes only. Colour settings will vary from one screen to another, and will not necessarily be a true reflection of printed results.

PMS100	PMS135	PMS1575	Red 032	PMS214	PMS248	PMS269	PMS277	PMS305	PMS3265	PMS354	PMS397
PMS101	PMS136	PMS1585	PMS1797	PMS215	PMS249	PMS2335	PMS278	PMS306	PMS3275	PMS355	PMS398
PMS102	PMS137	PMS1595	PMS1807	PMS216	PMS250	PMS2345	PMS279	Process	PMS3285	PMS356	PMS399
Jaune	PMS138	PMS1605	PMS1817	PMS217	PMS251	PMS2655	Reflex	PMS307	PMS3295	PMS357	PMS3935
PMS103	PMS139	PMS1615	PMS182	PMS218	PMS252	PMS2665	PMS280	PMS308	PMS3305	PMS358	PMS3945
PMS104	PMS140	PMS162	PMS183	PMS219	Mauve	Violet	PMS281	PMS309	PMS3248	PMS359	PMS3955
PMS105	PMS1345	PMS163	PMS184	Rubine	PMS253	PMS2685	PMS282	PMS310	PMS3258	PMS360	PMS3965
PMS106	PMS1355	PMS164	PMS185	PMS220	PMS254	PMS2695	PMS283	PMS311	PMS3268	PMS361	PMS3975
PMS107	PMS1365	PMS165	PMS186	PMS221	PMS255	PMS270	PMS284	PMS312	PMS3278	PMS362	PMS3985
PMS108	PMS1375	PMS166	PMS187	PMS222	PMS256	PMS271	PMS285	PMS313	PMS3288	PMS363	PMS3995
PMS109	PMS1385	PMS167	PMS188	PMS223	PMS257	PMS272	PMS286	PMS314	PMS3298	PMS364	PMS400
PMS110	PMS1395	PMS168	PMS189	PMS224	PMS258	PMS273	PMS287	PMS315	PMS3308	PMS365	PMS401
PMS111	PMS1405	PMS1625	PMS190	PMS225	PMS259	PMS274	PMS288	PMS316	PMS331	PMS366	PMS402
PMS112	PMS141	PMS1635	PMS191	PMS226	PMS260	PMS275	PMS289	PMS3105	PMS332	PMS367	PMS403
PMS113	PMS142	PMS1645	PMS192	PMS227	PMS261	PMS276	PMS290	PMS3115	PMS333	PMS368	PMS404
PMS114	PMS143	PMS1655	PMS193	PMS228	PMS262	PMS2705	PMS291	PMS3125	Vert	PMS369	PMS405
PMS115	PMS144	PMS1665	PMS194	PMS229	PMS2562	PMS2715	PMS292	PMS3135	PMS334	PMS370	NOIR
PMS116	PMS145	PMS1675	PMS195	PMS230	PMS2572	PMS2725	PMS293	PMS3145	PMS335	PMS371	PMS406
PMS117	PMS146	PMS1685	PMS1895	PMS231	PMS2582	PMS2735	PMS294	PMS3155	PMS336	PMS372	PMS407
PMS118	PMS147	PMS169	PMS1905	PMS232	PMS2592	PMS2745	PMS295	PMS3165	PMS337	PMS373	PMS408
PMS119	PMS148	PMS170	PMS1915	Rhodamine	PMS2602	PMS2755	PMS296	PMS317	PMS338	PMS374	PMS409
PMS120	PMS149	PMS171	PMS1925	PMS233	PMS2612	PMS2765	PMS2905	PMS318	PMS339	PMS375	PMS410
PMS121	PMS150	PMS172	PMS1935	PMS234	PMS2622	PMS2706	PMS2915	PMS319	PMS340	PMS376	PMS411
PMS122	PMS151	PMS173	PMS1945	PMS235	PMS2563	PMS2716	PMS2925	PMS320	PMS341	PMS377	PMS412
PMS123	PMS152	PMS174	PMS1955	PMS236	PMS2573	PMS2726	PMS2935	PMS321	PMS342	PMS378	PMS413
PMS124	PMS153	PMS175	PMS196	PMS237	PMS2583	PMS2736	PMS2945	PMS322	PMS343	PMS379	PMS414
PMS125	PMS154	PMS176	PMS197	PMS238	PMS2593	PMS2746	PMS2955	PMS323	PMS3375	PMS380	PMS415
PMS126	PMS1485	PMS177	PMS198	PMS239	PMS2603	PMS2756	PMS2965	PMS324	PMS3385	PMS381	PMS416
PMS1205	PMS1495	PMS178	PMS199	PMS240	PMS2613	PMS2766	PMS297	PMS325	PMS3395	PMS382	PMS417
PMS1215	PMS1505	Warm	PMS200	PMS241	PMS2623	PMS2707	PMS298	PMS326	PMS3405	PMS383	PMS418
PMS1225	Orange21	PMS179	PMS201	PMS242	PMS2567	PMS2717	PMS299	PMS327	PMS3415	PMS384	PMS419
PMS1235	PMS1525	PMS180	PMS202	PMS2365	PMS2577	PMS2727	PMS300	PMS328	PMS3425	PMS385	PMS420
PMS1245	PMS1535	PMS181	PMS203	PMS2375	PMS2587	Bleu 072	PMS301	PMS329	PMS3435	PMS386	PMS421
PMS1255	PMS1545	PMS1765	PMS204	PMS2385	PMS2597	PMS2747	PMS302	PMS330	PMS344	PMS387	PMS422
PMS1265	PMS155	PMS1775	PMS205	PMS2395	PMS2607	PMS2757	PMS303	PMS3242	PMS345	PMS388	PMS423
PMS127	PMS156	PMS1785	PMS206	PMS2405	PMS2617	PMS2767	PMS2975	PMS3252	PMS346	PMS389	PMS424
PMS128	PMS157	PMS1788	PMS207	PMS2415	PMS2627	PMS2708	PMS2985	PMS3262	PMS347	PMS390	PMS425
PMS129	PMS158	PMS1795	PMS208	PMS2425	PMS263	PMS2718	PMS2995	PMS3272	PMS348	PMS391	PMS426
PMS130	PMS159	PMS1805	PMS209	PMS243	PMS264	PMS2728	PMS3005	PMS3282	PMS349	PMS392	PMS427
PMS131	PMS160	PMS1815	PMS210	PMS244	PMS265	PMS2738	PMS3015	PMS3292	PMS350	PMS393	PMS428
PMS132	PMS161	PMS1767	PMS211	PMS245	PMS266	PMS2748	PMS3025	PMS3302	PMS351	PMS394	PMS429
PMS133	PMS1555	PMS1777	PMS212	PMS246	PMS267	PMS2758	PMS3035	PMS3245	PMS352	PMS395	PMS430
PMS134	PMS1656	PMS1787	PMS213	PMS247	PMS268	PMS2768	PMS304	PMS3255	PMS353	PMS396	PMS431
PMS432	PMS453	PMS4755	PMS511	PMS533	PMS555	PMS5773	PMS618	PMS661	PMS704	Reflex2X	PMS811
PMS433	PMS454	PMS476	PMS512	PMS534	PMS556	PMS5783	PMS619	PMS662	PMS705	Procs2X	PMS812
PMS434	PMS4485	PMS477	PMS513	PMS535	PMS557	PMS5793	PMS620	PMS663	PMS706	2992X	PMS813
PMS435	PMS4495	PMS478	PMS514	PMS536	PMS558	PMS5803	PMS621	PMS664	PMS707	3062X	PMS814
PMS436	PMS4505	PMS479	PMS515	PMS537	PMS559	PMS5747	PMS622	PMS665	PMS708	3202X	8082X
PMS437	PMS4515	PMS480	PMS516	PMS538	PMS5535	PMS5757	PMS623	PMS666	PMS709	3272X	8092X
PMS438	PMS4525	PMS481	PMS517	PMS539	PMS5545	PMS5767	PMS624	PMS667	PMS710	Vert2X	8102X
PMS439	PMS4535	PMS482	PMS5115	PMS540	PMS5555	PMS5777	PMS625	PMS668	PMS711	3542X	8112X
PMS440	PMS4545	PMS483	PMS5125	PMS541	PMS5565	PMS5787	PMS626	PMS669	PMS712	3682X	8122X
PMS441	PMS455	PMS484	PMS5135	PMS542	PMS5575	PMS5797	PMS627	PMS670	PMS713	3752X	8132X
PMS442	PMS456	PMS485	PMS5145	PMS543	PMS5585	PMS5807	PMPS628	PMS671	PMS714	3822X	8142X
PMS443	PMS457	PMS486	PMS5155	PMS544	PMS5595	PMS581	PMS629	PMS672	PMS715	4712X
PMS444	PMS458	PMS487	PMS5165	PMS545	PMS560	PMS582	PMS630	PMS673	PMS716	4642X
PMS445	PMS459	PMS488	PMS5175	PMS5395	PMS561	PMS583	PMS631	PMS674	PMS717	4332X
PMS446	PMS460	PMS489	PMS518	PMS5405	PMS562	PMS584	PMS632	PMS675	PMS718	Noir2
PMS447	PMS461	PMS490	PMS519	PMS5415	PMS563	PMS585	PMS633	PMS676	PMS719	Noir3
W.GRIS1	PMS462	PMS491	PMS520	PMS5425	PMS564	PMS586	PMS634	PMS677	PMS720	Noir4
W.GRIS2	PMS463	PMS492	PMS521	PMS5435	PMS565	PMS587	PMS635	PMS678	PMS721	Noir5
W.GRIS3	PMS464	PMS493	PMS522	PMS5445	PMS566	PMS5815	PMS636	PMS679	PMS722	Noir6
W.GRIS4	PMS465	PMS494	PMS523	PMS5455	PMS5605	PMS5825	PMS637	PMS680	PMS723	Noir7
W.GRIS5	PMS466	PMS495	PMS524	PMS546	PMS5615	PMS5835	PMS638	PMS681	PMS724	Noir22X
W.GRIS6	PMS467	PMS496	PMS5185	PMS547	PMS5625	PMS5845	PMS639	PMS682	PMS725	Noir 3 2X
W.GRIS7	PMS468	PMS497	PMS5195	PMS548	PMS5635	PMS5855	PMS640	PMS683	PMS726	Noir 4 2X
W.GRIS8	PMS4625	PMS498	PMS5205	PMS549	PMS5645	PMS5865	PMS641	PMS684	PMS727	Noir 5 2X
W.GRIS9	PMS4635	PMS499	PMS5215	PMS550	PMS5655	PMS5875	PMS642	PMS685	PMS728	Noir 6 2X
W.GRIS10	PMS4645	PMS500	PMS5225	PMS551	PMS5665	PMS600	PMS643	PMS686	PMS729	Noir7 2X
W.GRIS11	PMS4655	PMS501	PMS5235	PMS552	PMS567	PMS601	PMS644	PMS687	PMS730	PMS801
C.GRIS1	PMS4665	PMS502	PMS5245	PMS5463	PMS568	PMS602	PMS645	PMS688	PMS731	PMS802
C.GRIS2	PMS4675	PMS503	PMS525	PMS5473	PMS569	PMS603	PMS646	PMS689	PMS732	PMS803
C.GRIS3	PMS4685	PMS4975	PMS526	PMS5483	PMS570	PMS604	PMS647	PMS690	Jaune 2X	PMS804
C.GRIS4	PMS469	PMS4985	PMS527	PMS5493	PMS571	PMS605	PMS648	PMS691	116 2X	PMS805
C.GRIS5	PMS470	PMS4995	PMS528	PMS5503	PMS572	PMS606	PMS649	PMS692	130 2X	PMS806
C.GRIS6	PMS471	PMS5005	PMS529	PMS5513	PMS573	PMS607	PMS650	PMS693	165 2X	PMS807
C.GRIS7	PMS472	PMS5015	PMS530	PMS5523	PMS574	PMS608	PMS651	PMS694	W. Red 2X	801 2X
C.GRIS8	PMS473	PMS5025	PMS531	PMS5467	PMS575	PMS609	PMS652	PMS695	1788 2X	802 2X
C.GRIS9	PMS474	PMS5035	PMS5255	PMS5477	PMS576	PMS610	PMS653	PMS696	185 2X	803 2X
C.GRIS10	PMS475	PMS504	PMS5265	PMS5487	PMS577	PMS611	PMS654	PMS697	485 2X	804 2X
C.GRIS11	PMS4695	PMS505	PMS5275	PMS5497	PMS578	PMS612	PMS655	PMS698	Rubine 2X	805 2X
PMS448	PMS4705	PMS506	PMS5285	PMS5507	PMS579	PMS613	PMS656	PMS699	Rhoda 2X	806 2X
PMS449	PMS4715	PMS507	PMS5295	PMS5517	PMS580	PMS614	PMS657	PMS700	239 2X	807 2X
PMS450	PMS4725	PMS508	PMS5305	PMS5527	PMS5743	PMS615	PMS658	PMS701	Mauve 2X	PMS808
PMS451	PMS4735	PMS509	PMS5315	PMS553	PMS5753	PMS616	PMS659	PMS702	2592 2X	PMS809
PMS452	PMS4745	PMS510	PMS532	PMS554	PMS5763	PMS617	PMS660	PMS703	Violet 2X	PMS810