Linden Print - Print Like a Pro from CorelDRAW

Local Gauteng & National Delivery - First Class Quality & Service Since 2017

1. Standard South African Print Sizes & Dimensions 

Before you design, make sure your CorelDRAW document is set to the correct dimensions.
Pro tip: Always design with your bleed included from the start so you don't have to resize later!

• STANDARD BUSINESS CARDS

  • Trim Size (Final Card): 90 x 50 mm

  • Canvas Size with Bleed: 96 x 56 mm

• POSTCARDS / A6:

  • Trim Size: 105 x 148 mm

  • Canvas Size with Bleed: 111 x 154 mm

• STANDARD 'A' PAPERS:

  • A5: Trim: 148 x 210 mm | Canvas with Bleed: 154 x 216 mm

  • A4: Trim: 210 x 297 mm | Canvas with Bleed: 216 x 303 mm

  • A3: Trim: 297 x 420 mm | Canvas with Bleed: 303 x 426 mm

• SRA3 (DIGITAL PRESS STANDARD):

  • Sheet Size: 320 x 450 mm
    (Ideal for multi-up layouts and custom large-format digital jobs).
      

2. Setting Up Your CorelDRAW Document Correctly

• CREATE A NEW DOCUMENT: Go to File > New. Set your page width and height to your final trim size (e.g., 90 x 50 mm for a business card).

• SET BLEED: In the New Document dialog box, locate the Bleed setting and enter 3 mm (this displays a visual bleed guide boundary around your page).

• COLOUR MODE: Set the primary color mode to CMYK (not RGB) to ensure accurate ink translation.
  (Note: Screen displays use RGB light, so bright neon screen colors may look slightly richer than final ink on paper).

• LAYOUT GOLDEN RULES:

  • The Bleed Zone (Outside the page border to the bleed guide): Extend any background colors, photographs, or graphics all the way to the outer bleed line to avoid white paper edges when trimmed.

  • The Safe Zone (Inside the page border): Keep all important text, logos, and critical design elements at least 4mm to 5mm inside the trim edge so nothing accidentally gets clipped off.

3. How to Export a Print-Ready PDF from CorelDRAW 

When your design is complete, follow these exact steps to generate a professional press-ready file:

1. Curve Your Text: Select all text elements (Ctrl + A) and press Ctrl + Q (Convert to Curves) so your custom fonts don't shift or substitute on our systems.

2. Go to FILE > PUBLISH TO PDF (or File > Export and select PDF).

3. In the PDF Export dialog, click Settings.

4. Choose PDF/X-1a or Prepress from the PDF Preset dropdown.

5. COLOUR TAB: Ensure color settings output as native CMYK.

6. OBJECTS / PREPRESS TAB: Check the boxes for Crop marks and Include bleed, setting the bleed limit to 3 mm.

7. Click OK, then click SAVE to save the PDF to your computer.

8. Click the UPLOAD TO LINDEN PRINT button to send your file for printing.