Freehand Tutorial

Quick links

Creating Files in Macromedia Freehand | Safety Margins | Save the artwork

Creating Files in Macromedia Freehand

To create a new artwork in Freehand select File > New (Ctrl+N).

To set up the size of the card select Window > Document and enter the size. For business cards set the size to 91mm x 61mm and for A6 post card to 148.5mm x 105mm. Also enter the bleed of 3mm for business cards and 1.5mm (4.2pt) for post cards.

Safety Margins

Any time an image or colour is printed to the edge of a page, it must extend beyond the final dimensions of your job to allow for cutting.

Text or artwork you wish to preserve must be at least a further 3mm (8.5pt) inside this. (shown by the guidelines).

For business cards set the guides to 3mm, 6mm, 55mm and 58mm vertically and 3mm, 6mm, 85mm and 88mm horizontally. For post cards set the guides to 1.5mm, 4.5mm, 103.5mm and 106.5mm vertically and 1.5mm, 4.5mm, 147mm and 150mm horizontally across the postcard.

Save the artwork

Firstly, all text needs to be converted to paths. For this select Text > Convert to Paths. Now save your file as an EPS, select File > Save As and choose .eps from the drop down menu.