FILE PREPARATION

The most important factor in a successful printing job is the file preparation. Whatever the specifications that are embedded in the file determines how the job comes out.
Here are some key steps to guide you in a successful file preparation:
1. Line Screen - All images should be submitted at 300 dpi at the size needed for placing at 100%. Web images are usually only 72 dpi (low resolution) and do not produce a quality print.
2. Color - Make sure that all RGB images have been converted to CMYK. All images have to be in CMYK. If you leave an image in RGB and we catch it, we will notify you and you will have to resend it, thus slowing your production schedule. The reason we do not convert the images is that the conversion might not be what you are expecting and there is no way for us to know. All placed graphics must also be in CMYK.
3. Blacks - Do not use rich blacks in type less than 18pts. Big solid areas of black should have a rich black of 30% Cyan, 30% Magenta, 20% Yellow and 100% Black.
4. If incorporating an Illustrator or Corel eps into your file or using it as your file, you must convert all text to curves thus preventing any problem with the type shifting, font missing and defaulting to courier, etc.
5. Fonts - Provide ALL fonts used in your job if in a file type that does not allow to convert text to curves. That includes Postscript, screen AND printer, and True Type.
6. Document Size - Set your document size to equal the trim size of your finished piece and if it has bleed, set the bleed outside the document size. If you wish to set the document in a larger size, then you must add crop marks to the cut size of your document. If bleeds are neede, allow 1/8" for the bleed per side.
7. Preflight - If at all possible do a preflight and DO check the report to see if you have all the elements needed to produce your job such as images, fonts (if postscript you must include the screen AND printer fonts) and any other elements used in your job.
8. Programs

QuarkXpress - up to version 7.0
Adobe Illustrator - up to version CS3
Adobe InDesign - up to version CS3