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CHARACTERISTICS OF BROCHURES & CATALOGUES

In addition to the requirements for your print files, please observe the following for brochures and catalogues. 

Due to our automated workflow, we cannot process any (imposed) double pages. Therefore, please submit consecutive single pages in a PDF file. If you send us individual files for each page, please title them as follows: e.g. "brochure_01.pdf", "brochure_02.pdf" etc. The catalog cover should be completely imposed and entitled U1 (cover page 1 or title) and U4 (cover page 4 or last outer page). 

To be on the safe side, we recommend you insert page numbers in your document. We accept no responsibility for the proper order of pages if there is no pagination. 

Writing and important information such as logos, addresses, texts, etc. that must not be cut off must be positioned at least 5 mm (more if possible) from the edge of the final format. Please do not use creative white or coloured margins or outlines. Particularly with small formats such as Q6, DIN A6, and DIN A5, we recommend that you observe these guidelines when creating your design.

Brochures

When folding brochures with a high number of pages, the middle pages can be pushed outward resulting in a cascaded appearance. To prevent that objects near the edge such as page numbers, lines and other elements are cut off or are positioned too closely to the edge of the page, you should allow for the creep when creating print data.

You can calculate the creep using the following equation: 

Number of pages of the inner section: 4 x paper grammage : 1000 = displacement

Here is an example for 48 pages of the inner section and 135 g/m² paper: 

48 pages: 4 x 135 g/m² : 1000 = 1.62 mm ≈ 1.6 mm

These 48 pages are displaced by about 1.6 mm. Now if the stack is folded, the inner pages will be forced outward by the value of 1.6 mm. When the brochure is subsequently cut off at this position, the inner pages are 1.6 mm shorter. This can be recognized by the distance of the page numbers or other object near the edge to the paper edge.

Catalogues

Please take the respective spine width (catalogue backs) into consideration when you create the data.

The spine width of the catalogue can be calculated as follows: 

Number of pages of the inner section: 2 x paper grammage: 1000 = spine width

Here is an example for 128 pages of the inner section and 135 g/m² paper: 

128 : 2 x 135 : 1000 = 8.64 mm

Summary:

  • Consecutive single pages in a PDF file
  • Position writing and important information such as logos, addresses, texts, etc. that should not be cut off leaving sufficient distance to the edge of the final format – we recommend a margin of at least 5 mm.
  • Account for creep in case of brochures.
  • Provide catalogue cover including spine completely imposed.