ELECTRONIC PREPRESS GUIDELINES

HELPFUL TIPS

1. DOCUMENT SIZE
   The document size in the page layout application should match the FINAL trimmed size of the printed piece. NO KEYLINES PLEASE. BLEEDS should extend off the page by 1/8”. Put pages in consecutive order. NO PRINTER’S SPREADS PLEASE.
   
   
2. FONTS
   Include all fonts for your job in one folder. Include screen (Suitcase) and printer (Postscript) fonts. Use the font list to select BOLD and ITALIC fonts, NOT THE APPLICATION MENU TYPESTYLES.
   
   
3. GRAPHICS AND LINKS
   Include all graphics and linked files. Collect everything into one folder and print a directory. Send only the documents you are having us print. NO DUPLICATE FILE NAMES. If burning files to a CD/DVD Rom, if possible please select IOS9000/Hybrid PC & MAC format, PRESERVE MACINTOSH NAMES.
   
   
4. COLORS
   Set all colors to CMYK for process jobs, NO RGB, INDEX or LAB. When using spot colors, keep all of the color names consistent in the layout files and graphics. Remove unused spot color names.
   
   
5. PHOTOSHOP
   All Photoshop images should be 250-350 DPI at 100% and bitmaps 1200 DPI. Save Photoshop images as TIFF, EPS or CT. Duotones should be in duotone mode. Save Photoshop images with spot channels as DCS2 with “single file with color composite” selected. Clipping path flatness must be 2 or less.
   
   
6. ILLUSTRATOR
   Illustrator files must have an output resolution of 800 to 2540 DPI. A number lower than 800 will result in choppy curves. In Illustrator 9 set the “Printing and Export” slider to “Higher/Slower” in Document Set-Up.
   
   
7. BLACKS
   For rich blacks, DO NOT submit a color density greater than 360. Black should be 100% BLACK only.
   
   
8. SPECIAL/ EXTRAS
   Folds, scores, die cuts, spot varnish and coating should be included in your files and clearly marked on supplied HARD COPY.
   
   
9. HARD/ SOFT COPY
   Provide HARD COPY or also attach PDF PREVIEW that reflects the most current version of the document at 100% size if possible.
   
   
10. TRANSPARENCY IN ILLUSTRATOR OR INDESIGN
    To avoid RIP issues when using Transparency...... DO NOT use Transparency in Illustrator or InDesign to create screens of color. Set the color value in the color palette , NOT the Transparency palette. When placing text in conjunction with Transparency ALWAYS bring text to the top, and outline fonts where possible. When placing layered raster graphics utilizing transparent effects ALWAYS FLATTEN files first.
    
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