Step 1: Set up your document correctly

1. Select the Print tab when you create your new document. By default, InDesign will produce a document using a CMYK colour palette, not RGB. Learn more about the difference between CMYK and RGB here.
2. Ensure your new document has a high resolution and add a 3mm bleed on all sides. Keep foil elements 5mm inside the quiet area and 5mm from the spine hinges.

Step 2: Create a Foil Layer

1. Open the Layers palette in your new document.
2. Click on the square icon with a '+' symbol to add a new layer.
3. Double-click your artwork layer and re-name it Artwork.
4. Double-click the new layer and name it Foil. Ensure the Foil layer is above the Artwork layer.

Step 3: Add the object for foiling onto the Foil layer in the correct position

1. Choose the object from the Artwork layer you would like us to foil.
2. Select the object you would like foiled on your Artwork layer and move it into position on your final artwork.
3. You need to Copy and Paste in Place the object from the Artwork layer onto the Foil layer to ensure it appears in the same position as it was on the Artwork layer. You'll also need to delete the original object from your artwork layer. So, select the object on the Artwork layer > Copy > Delete > Edit > Paste in Place on your Foil layer.

Step 4: Assign a Spot colour to an object for foiling

1. If the object you would like foiled is text-based, you need to convert it into a shape. To do this, select the object > Type menu > select Create Outlines.
2. Next, you need to colour the object as a Spot Colour and name it Foil. To do this, select the object and open the Swatches palette > click the 'hamburger' menu icon top right > select New Colour Swatch > uncheck the Name with Colour value box > type Foil into the Swatch Name field.
3. Select Spot from the drop-down menu titled Colour Type. Using the CMYK sliders below, we recommend setting your colour values to 100% Magenta (0% Cyan, 0% Yellow, 0% Black) so it stands out. And remember to set the colour to Overprint (Window > Output > Attributes > Overprint Fill on the Foil layer).
4. You will know if you have created the Spot colour correctly by looking in your Swatches palette. You should see a small grey square with a white dot inside to the right of the swatch named Foil.
5. When you’re ready, export your design files to Adobe PDF and upload them to your Artwork Dashboard.

Step 5: Export your design ready for printing

1. When you're ready to prepare your files for print, ensure both your artwork layer and your foil layer are visible. To do this, go to your Layers palette and make sure you have checked the eye icon so it's 'on' to the left of each layer name.
2. Under the File menu, select Export in the window that appears > bottom middle, select Adobe PDF (Print) (*.pdf) from the drop-down menu. Select where you'd like to save your print file and give your file an identifiable name, then click Save.
3. This will open up your Export Adobe PDF window. From the drop-down menu at the top titled Adobe PDF Preset, select Press Quality. Next, on the left of the window, select the menu titled Marks and Bleeds, and under Bleed and Slug, check the box titled Use Document Bleed Settings. These settings should be 3mm as Mixam requires a 3mm bleed on all print files. If you haven't set 3mm bleed on your document, you must do this, then repeat the Export steps. Unlike other printers, our system adds its own crop marks. Under 'Marks and Bleeds', please don't check the box for crop marks.
4. Click Export and upload to your Artwork Dashboard.