File Preparation Guidelines
Questions
Saving Files
- PDF or native file, what is best?
- Working with fonts, what do I need to know?
- What is bleed and how do I set it up?
- How far should I layout my artwork from the trim edge?
- How should I impose my artwork?
- Should I send my files as spreads, or otherwise impose or “step up” my pages to be printed?
- How should I set up my file(s)?
- What resolution should my file(s) be?
- I want to send a PDF from the Adobe Creative Suite. What PDF Export Preset should I use?
- I want to send native layout files to you. What do I need to include? How?
Sending Files
- What file formats do you accept?
- What’s the best way to send many large files that are too big to email?
How will it turn out?
- Will the print colours be like what I see on my computer screen?
- Why does my picture look awful when I print it? It looks okay on my screen.
- How accurately will my artwork match my own print out?
- Will I get a PMS colour match on a digital printer?
Answers
Saving Files
We can print from almost any file you send us, some work better than others though. If you can make your file a PDF before you send it this often smoothes the way. The advantage of sending a native file is that it can be edited at our end if there are any changes or problems with the file. Typically, the biggest challenge in supplying a native file is ensuring that ALL fonts, graphics and linked items are included when the file is sent. Refer to the section about exporting.
Whenever possible, convert your fonts to outlines/paths before you make your PDF’s. If you are unable to make PDF’s of your files then you must supply all fonts used in your files. Do not assume we have the fonts. Do not stylize fonts. If you need a bold or italic font then choose that version of the font. If you supply a file in a layout program such as InDesign, Quark, Publisher, etc. include Postscript or open type printer and screen fonts.
Bleed is a term that refers to printing that goes beyond the edge of the sheet after trimming. The image should be extended 1/8” outside of the print area to ensure no white is visible when trimmed. When saving to a pdf file the bleeds and trim marks must be added.
Anything you don’t want trimmed off should be inset at least 1/8”from the trim edge.
Always supply 1up files. We have imposition software that will correctly impose your file to maximize our press sheet size.
In most cases, no. We prefer that you send your documents as single pages (1up). We have software that automates the imposition process and it gives us the flexibility to change page setups for varying press conditions. It’s faster for us to do the imposing, and it’s one less thing for you to worry about so you can focus on the design.
All files supplied should be on the correct page size required. Please do not impose your files in any way, this applies especially to business cards.
Images for press or digital print should be at 300dpi at final size. Wide format prints (posters, signs etc) can be min 100dpi at final size.
Set “High Quality Print” as your preset. If your document has bleeds (artwork that extends off the edge of the page), be sure to turn them on in the “Marks and Bleed” section of the Export dialog box. Set the bleed amount to at least 0.125” on all 4 sides. Turn ON Crop Marks. Offset (crop mark distance from page) should be at least 6pt. (0.0833”, the default). Do NOT set the Offset to zero.
First make a PDF to include with your native files for us as a reference. You need to include any linked images and fonts used in your layout. Here’s how...
Adobe InDesign Choose “Package...” from the File menu. Turn on the checkboxes to include linked images and fonts. This will save a copy of your layout and supporting files in a new folder (you specify). If you’re uploading the files to us via the internet, please compress the resulting folder into a single ZIP file.
QuarkXPress Choose “Collect for Output...” from the File menu. Turn on the checkboxes to include linked images and fonts. This will save a copy of your layout and supporting files in a new folder (you specify). If you’re uploading the files to us via the internet, please compress the resulting folder into a single ZIP file.
Microsoft Publisher Choose “Pack and Go > Take to a Commercial Printing Service...” from the File menu. The Wizard will walk you through the process of gathering and compressing your files, which you’ll then send to us.
Sending Files
Press-ready PDFs, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Quark Express, Microsoft Office - Word, Excel & Publisher. PC and MAC platforms. Links and fonts must also be provided.
Save your files to a CD, DVD, USB drives or upload your files to our ftp site. You can also use a free file transfer website such as www.yousendit.com
How will it turn out?
No...what you see on your screen and what you can print are totally different things. Your monitor is showing colours in the form of light, and print is showing colours in the form of physical ink on paper. Monitors use the RGB (red, green, blue) colour model, which usually supports a wider spectrum of colours. Printers use the CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) colour model.
Never trust your computer screen. Your computer screen shows 72 dots per inch. Printers print at 600 dots per inch. If you reduce your images to anything around 72 dots per inch they will look fine on your computer screen. They will, however, look awful when printed. Scan your photos at 150 - 300 dpi.
We cannot guarantee that your printed graphics will match the colour from our own printers. This is due to widely variable elements such as monitors, inkjet, laser, thermal, etc.
No. The digital printing software will convert your PMS colour to CMYK and try to match it as close as possible.
