File Preparation Guidelines

Please review the following guidelines prior to sending digital files for best results for file transfer, set-up, and printing.

We have a full service typesetting department. We can help you with any project!

File Guidelines
We support the following software: Illustrator, Photoshop, Freehand, QuarkXpress, and InDesign. Files created in Illustrator and Photoshop are preferred as they convert easily into an .eps workflow.

We strongly encourage the use of the above mentioned applications. We have limited support of alternate programs such as MS Publisher and MS Word. We can make these files work, but it may take additional time to get them to behave properly.

We accept both Mac and PC files in the following native formats:

 Adobe Illustrator
 Adobe InDesign
 Adobe Pagemaker
 Adobe Photoshop
 Macromedia Freehand
 Quark Xpress
 Microsoft Publisher
 Corel Draw

 To ensure your files travel safely across the Internet, please compress your files before transfer with a file compression utility such as WinZip (Windows), PKZip (Windows), DropStuff (Macintosh), or ZipIt (Macintosh).

File Prep
Files may be named as you like with the following exceptions:
  - Illegal characters contained in the following parentheses are prohibited ( [ ] / \ = + <> : ; " , )
  - Spaces or periods at the beginning or end of a file name should not be used.
  - Do not give two files the same name. Duplicate file names will cause conflict errors.
  - Clearly identify all disks and their contents by the product name.
  - Send only files needed for output. Do not send FPO or low-res placement files.

Bleed
Please allow for 1/8" of bleed beyond the trim size of your document or panel. This will prevent the appearance of a white gap on the edge of your document if the cutter doesn't line up perfectly with each piece.

All critical copy must be at least 1/16 inch from the final trim edge to avoid the possibility of being trimmed off.

Minimum sizes
  Type: We recommend using no smaller than 4 point text for solid type. If font will be reversed from process, or built from process use fonts of size 8 points or larger for offset printing to guarantee readability. For best results limit the use of reverse type to block, gothic and sans serif type styles.
  Lines: Solid line rules should be .25 point thickness or greater. Rules built from process or rules reversed out of process should be 1 point. Smaller rules may disappear.

Font Usage
All fonts and components used within graphic documents must be included with files submitted for output. Without these fonts, we cannot guarantee exact output.

Colors
In digital files, colors must be created and assigned in the manner in which they will print. Four-color process items should be set to use CMYK colors. If your project will use a spot color, designate it as such. If you use a spot color in the layout program, the usage of the color in an illustration program should reference the color with the exact name. (Example: Pantone 186 CV is not the same as Pantone 186 CVU.)

Rich black should be used to avoid a washed out appearance when graphics, boxes, or backgrounds are to print black. Use the values of 100% black, 30% cyan, 30% magenta, and 30% yellow to create rich black.

Set black type to overprint when used on a background.

Please avoid rich black on copy text as it is harder to register on the press.

Placed Images
All graphics and images used in documents for printing must be included with files submitted.
  - Hi-resolution images are required. Four-color and grayscale images must be at least 300dpi.
  - Images should not be scaled more than 120% in the layout program. This will result in significant deterioration in the image quality.
  - Reducing an image will not affect its quality.
  - Four color images must be in CMYK mode. RGB and INDEX images are not acceptable.
  - Black and White images should be saved in Grayscale mode. Line art images must be in Bitmap mode.
  - All extra channels should be removed prior to saving.
  - Images should be saved in TIFF or EPS formats only. JPEG and GIF files are heavily compressed and are not meant for high-resolution printing.

These are general guidelines designed to allow us to prepare customer files for printing as efficiently as possible. We realize that our customers may have special circumstances regarding file preparation. We will work to accommodate unique artwork requirements in order to prepare files for printing.

We have a full service typesetting department. We can help you with any project!

Please contact a Customer Service Representative with any questions. (864) 232-9788

 We have found that the most stable high resolution PDFs are produced from postscript files that are distilled with Acrobat Distiller's "PDF/X-1a" Job Option settings. Or download the Job Option settings for Acrobat Distiller version 4 for Mac and/or PC here (at final checkout ).

NOTE: the "PDF/X-1a" Job Option DOES NOT convert PMS spot colors to CMYK process.

Please consider these tips when producing a high resolution PDF:
  * Since your job is to be in CMYK, please convert all colors in your color pallet and artwork (.eps vector files) to CMYK to ensure that no unexpected spot colors are produced.
  * Embed all fonts with no subsetting;
  * Ensure all images are at least 300 dpi and line art is 1200 dpi;
  * Be sure the high resolution PDF includes and reveals the bleed;
  * Keep all printer marks at least 1/8" (0.125") from bleed area; and
  * Indicate your company name and the date for publication in file name.

 If you are creating a spot color job, use the same settings as above except do not convert your spot colors to process.

Spot colors are represented in most color pallets with an icon that looks like a circle within a square. Export the PDF as composite and our RIP should take care of the rest.