PREPRESS TIP SHEET AND FILE PREPARATION FOR PRINTING

It is best to build pages/documents in page layout programs such as Quark, InDesign or Pagemaker, placing the art files in those program files.

Following is a list of tips to make your job print better and keep your cost down.

• Provide a hard copy (laser or inkjet print) of the final file.

• Send all the fonts used. If applicable, send screen and printer fonts. We can use TrueType fonts for PC.

• Do not use “styles” for fonts in the application. If the font does not have a bold or italic version, it will not print that way on our Postscript 3 workflow.

• Vector based files can have the type converted to outlines to eliminate fonts, but will also eliminate our ability to edit text.

• Include all imported images and links with the files, even if the files have been embedded.

• All color documents and/or imported color files should be CMYK or PMS spot color (not RGB). CMYK images should not be used in a spot color job.

• Delete unused colors from the color palette in your application.

• Do not use multiples of the same color (ie: 340 C, 340 CV, 340 CVC) as each of these will print as a separate color.

• Scans and non-vector based art should be 300 DPI resolution at the placed size.

• Remove all unused text or graphics from the pasteboard outside the document image area.

• Keep text and objects not to be trimmed no closer than 3/16” from the actual trim.

• Items that print to the trim (bleed) should extend ¼” past the trim.

• Do not “float” your document on an oversized page.

• When more than one fold is used, such as in a trifold brochure, the panel sizes will reduce as the folds accumulate.

• Do not use MS Word or MS Office programs for color printing.