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Software Supported

There are many different software programs on the market catering to page layout and image manipulation. However, only a small number of applications offer the prepress controls needed for high quality printing. We accept PDF files (MAC and PC - PDF/X-1:2001) generated from the following:

QuarkXPress 6.5 or 7.0, Adobe InDesign CS2-CS 2014, Adobe Illustrator CS2-CS 2014, Adobe Photoshop CS2-CS 2014.

* We do not recommend using Pagemaker, Microsoft Publisher, Word, Excel or Powerpoint as a final file due to font and graphic irregularities.

 

Content Proof

All jobs must be accompanied with an approved final hardcopy. 100% size lasers are preferrable. If you have reduced your laser pages, please indicate the percentage of reduction on the laser print.

If you have an FPO (for position only) linked into your document, please mark the image as an “FPO only”. If we are to scan high resolution images for you, please indicate this on your lasers. If you have placed a low resolution image and want us to relink to a high resolution version you have also provided, please note this on your lasers.

* If we are not provided a laser copy or PDF file of your document as a reference for comparison, delay in production may occur.

 

Graphics and Scans

Please include all your linked graphic files. All your graphics should be in EPS or TIFF file formats (EPS is required for duotones, files with clipping paths and vector-based images/illustrations).

* Avoid PICT and Windows BMP file formats.

Save all your images, color or grayscale, at 100-110% reproduction size and at resolution 170 - 200 DPI.

When scanning line art (black images with no gray on a white background), scan at the highest resolution your equipment can produce (1200 DPI if possible) and save in bitmap (rather then grayscale) TIFF format.

Scan all photos, whether grayscale or color, at no less than 200 dpi and at slightly larger dimensions than what will eventually be used.

* Avoid sending images at 72 DPI resolution, this resolution is too low for quality offset printing.

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Fonts

Send all fonts used in your files. We may have a copy of your particular font in our font library, however, many different companies make fonts of the same name and they do differ. PostScript Type 1 fonts are preferred. Be aware that Type 1 fonts consist of two parts, a screen font and a printer font. Both must be sent with files to print accurately.

If you have fonts in your vector EPS files, conflicts may arise when the file is output to film if the font is not sent. We suggest converting any text in EPS files to outline (path) characters if possible. The letter characters then become a graphic object and do not require the fonts to be downloaded to the output device.

* Avoid using “applied” type styles. Do not use the “CONTROL” or “MEASUREMENTS” palettes in PageMaker or QuarkXpress to make the type bold or italic. Always pick your bold or italic font from the font list.

Do not color type smaller than 12 points, unless you are using a solid spot color or a solid process color. Do not use white type smaller than 14 points.

Colors

Save all color photos and vector artwork as CMYK if your job is 4-color and all black and white photos and artwork as GREYSCALE if your job requires black ink only.

Make sure colors that are the same are also named the same.

PANTONE 185 CV is not the same color as PANTONE 185 CVC or PANTONE 185 CVU.

The default color naming settings are inconsistent between applications, so it is necessary to manually change the name in the originating application.

* Never use RGB, HSL, Lab color models. USE ONLY PANTONE & CMYK COLORS.

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Monitor Calibration

For information on how to use Adobe Gamma for your monitor settings, use the following resources below:

MAC Users: Visit the Support section of Adobe's Web site at http://www.adobe.com/support/techdocs/321601.html

Windows Users: Visit the Support section of Adobe's Web site at http://www.adobe.com/support/techdocs/321608.html

 

PDF Files Submission

PDF is an excellent choice for submitting digital files. It is capable of efficiently holding all the elements necessary for a high-quality final product. However it is essential that you prepare your PDF files correctly. Here are the basic rules for repro-ready PDF files:

• Prepare single page PDF files (do not output spreads).

• Set bleeds to .25" on all sides.

• Center your page images on the output sheet.

• Include high-resolution image data.

• Embed and/or outline all fonts.

Today's two most frequently used page layout programs, Quark XPress and Adobe InDesign, can both generate repro-ready PDF files without using the separate Acrobat Distiller program.

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SETTINGS FOR ADOBE INDESIGN:

Select “Export” from the “File menu”.

Then select “Adobe PDF” from the “Format” pop-up menu.

Then select “[Press or PDF/X-1a:2001]” from the “Preset” pop-up menu. This one selection makes the bulk of the correct choices for you.

Be sure to leave the “Spreads” option unchecked so you will be generating individual pages.

Enter “.25 in” in the bleed section. If you click the link icon next to the first box InDesign will automatically fill the other boxes with the same value to produce an equal bleed on all four sides.

 

SETTINGS FOR QUARK XPRESS:

Select “Export ->Layout as PDF ” from the “File menu.”

Make sure the “Spreads” option is unchecked and then click “Options.”

Under “Job Options” make sure “Embed all Fonts” is selected. Leave all compression settings on “None.”

Under “Output” choose “Symmetric” from the bleed type pop-up menu and enter .25 in the “Amount” box to provide an equal bleed around all pages.

Under “OPI” make sure “Include Images” is checked under both TIFF and EPS. Click “OK” and then in the main window click “Save."

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