5 steps to flawless output
When deadlines are looming and budgets are tight, the last thing you want is to have a delay due to an improperly prepared file. Here are some tips that can help your print job go smoothly.
- Stick with the big 3 graphics software applications – InDesign, Illustrator and PhotoShop. QuarkXpress files are also acceptable, but less preferred. They are more cumbersome to work with and it takes more time to prepare the files for output. We also accept files produced in Word and other applications but it usually takes much more time to process them.
Set up your file to the final folded size of the job instead of positioning a page within a larger document size. For example, a four-page brochure that prints on an 11"x17" sheet but folds in half to 8 1/2"x11" should be set up as four 8 1/2"x11" pages. Never make your document a bigger size than necessary and never draw your own crop marks. Our imposition software only recognizes the document page size. Make sure to add 1/8" bleed to any items meant to touch the edge of the page. - Use the built-in features of InDesign to check spelling, font usage and link quality.
- Supply final hardcopy with your files. If you are supplying files via e-mail or ftp, include a .pdf file to show us what you expect the proofs to look like. It is possible to have font problems within a .pdf and for the .pdf to not match your files, so it is preferred to have laser hardcopy for us to proof against. The ideal proof is a colour output with laser separations and a printout of the file directory showing the file to be output.
- Check the contract proofs carefully. Epson and Impress proofs are created from the same ripped data as the CTP plates and show the exact information that will appear on the press sheets. Epsons are used to check colour and screening (moiré). Impress proofs are used to check imposition.
- Involve us early in the project. Our graphics department is full of knowledgeable staff who can help you overcome any technical issues that pop up. Our Production Coordinators can help you specify the perfect paper to complement your design, decide whether your job should run as spot colour or process colour and whether it should be run on an offset press or as digital output.
Output-ready file Checklist
- The document is the proper size.
- All necessary files are included –all images and fonts (both printer and screen fonts) including fonts used within linked items.
- All images are .eps, .tiff, .psd, .pdf or .jpg files.
- Do not use any compression for .tiff and Photoshop .eps files. Also, Photoshop .eps files should not have halftone screen or transfer function turned on.
- Images are of an appropriate resolution. Screen captures and website images are usually of low quality. Photographs should be 300 dpi or higher, bitmapped logos should be 1200 dpi or higher. Logos look best as vector (Illustrator) images.
- Images are CMYK, RGB, grayscale or bitmap
- The document separates properly to CMYK or spot colours.
- Any item that touches the page edge bleeds by at least 1/8". If the image is not supposed to bleed then keep a clear area of at least 1/4" around the edge of the page.
- Lines are not hairline thickness (should be at least 1/4 point)
- Type smaller than 8 points, or fine lines, are coloured with only one ink.
- Only CMYK or Pantone colours are used.
- A final hardcopy proof has been sent to Central.