CTP

Digital/Computer to plate technology (CTP) is now the industry standard. CTP offers better quality and faster plate production time. The majority of our print suppliers are now exclusively using CTP technology and are finding it increasingly difficult to handle conventional film work. As a result a film handling charge of £45 has been introduced which we must in turn pass on to any clients supplying film.

Please note we will still need to create films for CD and DVD on-body printing, due to the screen printing process.

If your designer provides us with high resolution locked PDF Files using software such as Acrobat Distiller or alternative software, and the artwork is laid down to the correct grids, then no reprographic charges will apply. (CTP grids are available on request from your sales contact).

It is important that your designers fully ensure your supplied artwork is fully checked (colours, content, etc) and laid to grid to the exact specifications. We can supply you with lo-res PDF files for quick checking, (on request) but we would highly recommend that you request Digital Proofs to ensure that all elements of your artwork are correct before going to plate and printing the job, especially if you are particular about the colours you want to achieve or it is a large order. However please be advised that digital proofs add three days to your lead times as they are sent out by post and approval needs to be sent back by post.

CTP Artwork Guidelines

For artwork to be considered CTP ready, and for you to avoid repro charges for incorrect artwork, there are four simple steps that must be followed. You will need the correct Sound Performance CTP template for whatever job you are working on.

If you don’t have the template you need then please contact Sam Hutton (020 8691 2121) or email sam.h@soundperformance.co.uk. Common specs can also be downloaded directly from our website, www.soundperformance.co.uk.

We provide templates in a choice of two formats: Quark XPress files and Adobe Acrobat files. We recommend using Quark to lay out CTP artwork, but if you don not have a copy available then you can use any DTP program that allows you to import PDF files.

Step 1: Pasteboard Size

The pasteboard (page) size must match exactly, to the millimetre, the pasteboard size of the template.

Step 2: Lay your artwork out on top of our templates

Once you have the template loaded in your design program, and you have ensured that the pasteboard size of your artwork matches that of the template, all you need to do is to lay your artwork out on top of our template.

Step 3: Include the right amount of bleed

Bleed lines are marked exactly on every one of our templates. Make sure you allow enough bleed, otherwise your artwork may be rejected at the repro stage.

Step 4: Supply your artwork as a hi-res PDF

Artwork is only considered to be CTP ready if it is a PDF file. No other file format is acceptable.

We recommend using, and supply instructions for, creating PDF files using Adobe Acrobat Distiller and Quark. Other software can be used but you will have to make sure you enter the right settings yourself.

Distiller settings can be found on the back cover of the specs CD-ROM that we send to customers. To get a copy please call Sam Hutton (020 8691 2121).