Preflight
Supported Media- Iomega Zip® 100 Mb disk
- CD-ROM/DVD
- 1.44 Kb floppy
- E-Mail (up to 1MB)
Supported Software
- QuarkXpress®
- Adobe PageMaker®
- Adobe Acrobat®
- Adobe Illustrator®
- Adobe Photoshop®
Note: We cannot use original files from some programs (please call 254-501-7481 for details). From most professional programs you can save your files in Adobe PDF format, or we can re-typeset before printing. Collect your copy as a simple text file, include all the graphics you used in your other program file and submit a printed sample of your layout.
Miscellaneous Design Tips & Preflight Criteria:
Below are some basic design tips to help you set up your files properly, insuring the best quality. If you are an experienced designer, your files probably already meet all or most of these criteria.- All files must be created in one of the programs we support (please call 254-501-7481 for details).
- Bleeds - Set your page-size specs to that of the final cut piece. Do not adjust the size of the page to accommodate for a bleed. Simply let your image or color overlap the edges 1/8" on the sides of the bleed. Also implement 1/8" to 1/4" gutter margin to allow for trim variance.
- Pagination - If you set up your book or newsletter in individual pages, please make sure that you paginate your file before submitting it to us, or provide us with a printed proof so we can set up the printer spreads.
Adobe Pagemaker has a function in “Utilities” which is called “Build Booklet.” Usually the settings for this are 2-up saddle stich, page size 11x17 (or flat size of your book before fold). If your project has more than 40 pages, it is recommended you include a “creep” of .06”, if the book is over 60 pages, the creep setting should be .125” and so on.
In Quark you should set up “facing pages” in the master document set-up. The first layout page usually stays blank, layout page 2 would show the last page of your book, on the 3rd layout page you would put page 1, page 2 goes on layout page 4, your book’s second last page on layout page 5.... and so on. - Tri-fold brochures - When setting up a three panel brochure, the far left panel on the outside and the far right panel on the inside should be approximately 1/8" shorter than the other two to allow for a smooth fold.
- Fonts - Please make sure you include the fonts used in your files other than the most usual (Helvetica, Arial, Times) from your mac files. Both Quark and Pagemaker have a function “Save for Service Provider,” which includes all your needed files in one folder. (In Pagemaker you find this option under “Utilities,” in Quark under “File”) If your document was created on a Windows platform, we might have the corresponding mac font, otherwise we will make all efforts to substitute with a font as similar to yours as possible. In any case, you will see a printed proof of our files, to make sure our choice of substitutes is to your liking.
- Outline vector graphics - If you include Illustrator or other vector graphics, please outline all type to avoid font conflicts.
- Photos - if you have not developed your photos yet, please try to use a photo service which supplies smooth finish photos. The matte finish which many serives provide shows up in a scan, especially if the photo is to be enlarged beyond its original size.
- Full color graphics - If at all possible, please convert all your graphics to CMYK/process color. If RGB or index-colors files are used in your files, there is no guarantee that the final printed product will display your true intended colors. If your files prove to include other than CMYK images, we might have to charge an extra fee for troubleshooting. File formats must be set to TIFF or EPS. Image formats other than EPS or TIFF are not acceptable. We can scan photos/transparencies for you.
- Spot colors - All spot colors should be set to Spot-separation (make sure Logos and/or imported images are also set to SPOT if printing in spot color, and all BLACK is set to overprint in Logos).
- Image resolution - All halftones and photoquality images (including scans, stock photos, CD-ROM library images, screen captures, internet/web images, digital photos, etc.) are at 300 dpi (optical) or higher at actual size. Internet/web images are usually at 72 DPI, and while they may look fantastic on the screen, they will look pixelated (fuzzy, dirty) when commercially printed.
- Line-Art - All line-art and line-drawings should be scanned at 1200 dpi (optical) or higher for optimal quality.
- Scans from pre-prints - Any images that were scanned from "4-color process pre-printed" materials (instead of being scanned from actual photos) should be adjusted in Photoshop for moirée patterns (consult Photoshop manual).
- “Dummies” - Composite Prints (COLOR) of all document pages need to be submitted. A folding dummy must be included if applicable.
- “Knock-outs” - All pages, including graphics have to be proofed for knockout and/or overprinting. Black should be set to “overprint” wherever applicable.