Work With Us
We welcome enquiries from artists and designers interested in printing & collaboration.
Please contact us for more information.
Technical info for those preparing files to print:
1. If you are working with scanned images, scan them at the highest resolution. The images should be at at least 300dpi at the final size they will be printed. That is, if the original image is 10cm high, but you are intending to print it at 20cm high, then you should scan it at 600dpi minimum.
2. Prepare your print in Illustrator or Indesign or Quark or some similar programme, if you need to add text or vector graphics or combine images etc. Set the document up as CMYK not RGB. Set the size of the document – the maximum printable area of the press is 1000 X 700mm – but if you can, make it a bit smaller. This size is slightly larger than A1. Remember to consider what paper you will be printing on. Is the available paper at a corresponding size to your print image?
3. Paper sizes: The biggest paper we have is 720 x 1020 mm. The most common paper size we have is 650 x 910 mm (and some 650 x 920 mm). However, you can print on any size paper up to 720 X 1020. You can order your own custom paper. Check with us in advance. [UPDATE - if you're ordering in new paper to print on, consider this sustainable paper guide...]
4. When setting up your image to make plates: size of the plate used on the Big Fag is 800 x 1030 mm. Edge of artwork needs to be set at minimum of 80mm from edge of plate (that is, one long edge of artwork needs to be 80mm from edge of plate that gets punch-holes).
5. Export the file to PDF. If your image contains more than one colour, the platemaker will divide it into individual colours (one colour=one plate).
6. If you are having troubles, email info@bigfagpress.org – make sure you leave plenty of time for troubleshooting before your deadline (or better still, don’t work to a deadline!).
You might also want to consult The Big Fag Brochure/Poster.