We want your job printed to your satisfaction in a timely manner. By following these simple rules, your job can promptly go through pre-press with a minimal chance of errors occurring. If we can be of any assistance in preparing your files for pre-press, please don't hesitate to call our Art Department.
Is File Mac or PC Format? Specify.
Acceptable File Formats:
- Quark XPress
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Acrobat (pdf files)
- Adobe Photoshop
- Macromedia Freehand
- CorelDraw
- Generic text files from any application
- Most standard image formats (eps, jpg, tiff, etc.)
Are Both Screen & Printer Fonts Included?
Type may also be converted to paths or outlines in some programs, such as Illustrator and Freehand, thus negating the need for fonts, however to be safe, it is advisable to include fonts anyway, in case something was missed when changed to outlines. Make sure designer has not used pseudo-fonts – for example, selecting “Times Roman” in font menu, then clicking on bold, italic, etc. in tool bar instead of going back to font menu and choosing “Times Bold” or “Times Italic,” etc., if necessary.
Are Links (Art/Photo Files) Included?
If photos are to be scanned by printer, please specify and include originals. If customer provides scans, then all links must be included with their file. Scanned images should be either grayscale or CMYK. DO NOT leave any images in RGB mode...they will not print properly. Scan and scale all pictures to size at a minimum of 300 dpi. We cannot guarantee the quality of any art that is scanned at less than 300 dpi. Any links that are embedded in the layout file may not print properly, and we will not be able to fix them. Please include all links with layout file.
Is Document Set to Correct Size?
The file document size should be set to the actual finished size of the piece.
Please DO NOT put pages in printer spreads.
Gripper & Bleeds:
If the piece bleeds (prints to the edge of the paper), then we need that image to be extended past the edge of document by at least 1/8” (.125). If the piece does not bleed, then all interior copy and graphics need to be at least 3/8” (.375”) away from the edge of document.
Is There A Hard Copy, Cut & Folded to Size?
Make sure it is created from the most recent copy of file. If numbering, drilling, etc. are necessary, are they indicated on sample?
Are Separations Printed Out For Multiple Color Jobs?
We must have a separate page printout for each color, not a color laser-jet composite printout.