Platemaking Services

We produce our own photopolymer plates for letterpress printing here at Kiss The Paper and offer platemaking services to other printers.

ABOUT THE PLATES:

  • We only expose KF95 plates (for standard bases that are 0.875")
  • We expose up to 8.25 x 11.5"
  • Adhesive backing and clear bag is provided

YOUR FILE(S):

  • The best files for platemaking are vector based files, so we accept .PDF, .AI and .EPS.
  • Prep your files to be negative ready: everything that you want to print needs to be white and everything you don't want to print needs to be black. Your black needs to be 100% CMYK black.
  • No need to flip your negative; please make the files right-reading
  • You can collage multiple images onto one plate to maximize your square inches. Leave a 1/8" to 1/4" margin around your images as well as the perimeter of the plate.
  • All text needs to be vectored. If you are using Illustrator, select all your text and go to Type>Create Outlines to vectorize your text.
  • CANVA USERS: Create files with the same parameters as above, excluding the vectored text. Please make your blacks with the hex code #000000 and your white printable areas hex code #ffffff.  If you are sending a full 8.25x11" plate, please make your artboard 13x19" with your plate in the middle for film processing. If your plate is smaller than 8.25x11" please make your artboard 8.5x11" with your plate in the middle for film processing. Instead of sending your file via email please "share" your file via Canva to kissthepaperpress@gmail.com. And then send us a separate email that you have a shared Canva file (because they go to our spam folder), and provide your full mailing address and shipping specifications. We have been frustrated with Canva...help us change that :)

PRICING & TURNAROUND:

  • We charge $0.75 per square inch
  • There is no minimum charge
  • Plates will be processed 1-2 business days after examining negative ready files and if corrections need to be made, then it may be longer

TO ORDER:

  • Please email your order to kissthepaperpress@gmail.com
  • When sending your file please include your mailing address and indicate whether you'd like to pick up your plate(s), ship with regular mail or ship expedited via Canada Post. We strongly suggest out-of-Ontario printers to ship expedited so you can track your plates.
  • Once we review your files we will send you an invoice; payment must be made before plate processing. We accept e-transfer and PayPal.