Printing FAQ

Printing FAQ
The followings are some general guidelines for preparing electronic files. Adhering to these guidelines will help us produce your job in the most efficient, expeditious and cost effective way possible. Please feel free to call us if you have any questions.

+ Top 10 File Problems

Some of the files submitted to us needed to be fixed before processing. Below is the list of the top 10 file problems encountered by us.

1. Missing or incorrect fonts
2. Missing or incorrect trapping
3. Files defined with incorrect color: RGB vs. CMYK
4. Scans supplied in wrong file format
5. Incorrect page settings or page setup
6. Graphics not linked correctly
7. Incorrectly defined or under defined bleeds
8. No laser proofs supplied
9. Missing graphics
10. Resolution too high or too low in customer supplied scans

+ Software

We can process files created in most programs. If we don't have your graphic program or version, we will get it!
Authorized Adobe, Microsoft Publisher, CorelDraw Print Service Provider

Photoshop (Mac & PC)

Illustrator (Mac & PC)

FreeHand (Mac & PC)

InDesign (Mac & PC)

QuarkXPress (Mac & PC)

PageMaker (Mac & PC)

Acrobat

Dimensions (Mac & PC)

Acrobat (Mac & PC)

CorelDraw (Mac & PC)

Microsoft Office (Mac & PC)

Wordperfect (PC)

Microsoft Publisher (PC)

Photo-Paint

+ Fonts

Fonts are one of the largest concerns when preparing electronic files. To help ensure that your job is output correctly always provide both the screen and printer fonts. Remember to include fonts that have been used in placed graphics (for example: EPS files). Converting text in placed graphics to paths eliminates the need to send these fonts. TrueType fonts and inexpensive fonts are more likely to create problems in the production of your work. We recommend that you avoid them. The best results are achieved by using Adobe fonts.

+ Art files

EPS files must accompany the document file in which they are used. If using Freehand, please include the original application file.

+ Disks and Media

We can receive files in the following ways: CD, DVD, Email, FTP
Clearly mark on all disks sent to us. Do not send unnecessary files, it will slow up your job and can cause some confusion.

+ Bleeds

Bleeds must extend 1/8" beyond the page trim. Note that perfect bound or loose-leaf documents also require a bleed at the binding edge.

+ Colors

When building colors, always use the CMYK palette rather than the RGB palette. Refer to a process color tint build book to look up the correct values to use. Build your colors by the numbers - screen representations of colors often look very different from the actual printed color.

+ Lasers

Your laser copies or prints help to ensure that we produce what you expect. Laser prints must be the final version of your file. If you make a change, please take the time to print a new laser which reflects that change. There should be no discrepancy between the actual electronic file and the lasers you send.

+ Resolution

When creating illustrations in a raster program such as Photoshop or Pinter, you must create them at an appropriate resolution. The resolution (DPI) should be 300 DPI. Higher resolutions will not help image quality. Also, avoid producing type in Photoshop, unless it is done for special effect. Significantly better results will be achieved by creating type in a page layout application such as QuarkXpress or InDesign. Line art should be scanned at 1200 DPI or higher.

+ Film Specification

Since our prepress is switched to CtP, we no longer accept film.