File Prepartion Instructions Using Various Applications
For more specific information, click on Offset Printing Specifications or Display Graphics Specifications.
Adobe InDesign and Quark Xpress:
If you are using one of these two applications, you are starting off way ahead of the curve. This is where any art that is sent us ends up before print. InDesign and Quark, both allow you to easily assemble and manage photo images and vector graphics as well as provide the best solution for typesetting. Once your job is laid out and ready to submit, simply "package for pre-press" (InDesign) or "collect for output" (Quark Xpress). This process gathers all the elements and fonts used and places them together in one job folder. Just take the packaged/collected folder, zip it, and send it to us via our sever, email, or disk. You are welcome to send a pdf as well, but we prefer to work from the native files.
Remember to check out these topics to help get your project started right the first time: bleed, color, images, fonts and text.
Adobe Photoshop:
First, while Photoshop can be used to setup art for a project, using InDesign for the layout would be a much better solution. Photoshop is meant for image editing, not layout, and will make your project more cumbersome, difficult to edit, and limit your capabilities. InDesign is by far the best solution for layout and typesetting, Photoshop for image editing, and Illustrator for vector art. All that being said, if all you know or have is Photoshop, don't sweat it, you can still get the high-end results you want if you keep the following things in mind.
First, make sure to include the bleed in your document size. For example, an 8.5x11 inch (letter size) piece would need to be setup in Photoshop in a 8.75x11.25 document to allow for the 1/8" bleed on all four sides.
Second, Photoshop dumbs everything down to the lowest common denominator as far as resolution is concerned - everything placed in the file gets reduced to the resolution of the file. Therefore, the resolution needs to be as high as the smallest placed image would require (refer to the section on images above).
Third, to maintain the vector attributes of the text and paths, allowing them to print at the maximum resolution of the output device, the files need to be submitted with all the layers left intact and none of the text rasterized. Yes, this means you may be submitting a very large file.
And finally, till I think to add something else, be careful with gradations, blends, or vinettes. Most of the time your file will get converted to CMYK at some point before it goes to print. If you are working in RGB and creating blends you run the risk of serious banding (varying darker and lighter bands due to the conversion calculation along the blend) when the file is converted to CMYK. The best solution is this instance is to convert the file to CMYK before you create the blend. It shows up more in wider-softer blends and is not much of a concern in narrow-dense blends.
Adobe Illustrator:
First, while Illustrator can be used to setup art for a project, using InDesign for the layout would be a much better solution. Illustrator is meant for generating resolution-independent vector graphics such as logos etc., not layout, and will make your project more cumbersome, difficult to edit, and limit your capabilities. InDesign is by far the best solution for layout and typesetting, Photoshop for image editing, and Illustrator for vector art. All that being said, if all you know or have is Illustrator, don't sweat it, you can still get the high-end results you want if you keep the following things in mind.
First, do not float your art in the middle of a large document. Illustrator users are notorious for doing this - sorry ;) Make sure your document size, or art board, is the size of the final piece.
Second, make sure any placed images are only "linked" to the document and not imbedded in case it necessary to able to edit the image.
Third, Illustrator does in include a "package" feature like InDesign, so you need to be sure to gather and include all the linked images and fonts along with the Illustrator file.
And finally, till I think to add something else, be careful with gradations, blends, or vinettes. Most of the time your file will get converted to CMYK at some point before it goes to print. If you are working in RGB and creating blends you run the risk of serious banding (varying darker and lighter bands due to the conversion calculation along the blend instead of a smooth transition) when the file is converted to CMYK. The best solution is this instance is to convert the file to CMYK before you create the blend. It shows up more in wider-softer blends and is not much of a concern in narrow-dense blends.
Microsoft Office Products:
We realize that many of you are stuck having to use Microsoft Powerpoint or Publisher, but do not despair. Although these programs are not intended to be used for high-quality printing applications, you can have sucess if you follow a few guidelines:
1. Use only Opentype or Truetype fonts - no system fonts. There can be problems with placed graphics not printing properly, spaces appearing randomly in the middle of words, or fonts being substituted causing text to reflow or even drop out.
2. Do not use transparency or other effects available. While they look pretty on your screen, or off your little desktop inkjet printer, they do not convert to postscript properly (See the image below). If you really need to incorporate the effect, send us the file with and without the effect applied and we can add in the effect after we have postscripted the file (addtional charges will apply).
3. Make sure the images or charts you place are at least 150 dpi. or better and use the proper color profile for the intended use. Check out our page on image resolution and color space for more information.
Most printers and service bureaus won't accept jobs done using Microsoft applications. We will take the job and have had very good sucess, but we can't promise it will work. However, if you follow the guidelines above it usually means smooth sailing.
