Tips and Hints
- Missing Fonts
- Missing Graphics
- RGB vs. CMYK
- Resolution Too Low
- Scanning Basics
- Create Your Layout at the Proper Size
- Allow Adequate Bleeds
- Trapping Pitfalls
All of above issues are easily avoidable but (if not considered) can result in your print job not being processed smoothly. Let's go through the list and we'll explain how you can steer clear of these common pitfalls.
Please contact us if you have any question regarding preparation of your printer-ready files.
1. Missing Fonts – the number one cause of aggravation when processing jobs for commercial printing
This one is pretty easy. We avoid the problem by requesting that all the printer-ready files you upload to us have the text (the type fonts used in your layout) rasterised or converted to outline before you upload your files.
The best way to avoid missing fonts or unwanted font substitution is to convert your page layouts to Adobe PDF format. Use the pre-sets in your page layout application to save the pages at Print resolution. If your page layout application supports it, the PDF/x-1a is the best format to use for commercial printing. The PDF format will preserve the integrity of your layout by embedding the fonts and graphics used in the document.
If your layout was created in Adobe InDesign, PageMaker, Illustrator or Photoshop you can save to PDF directly from those applications. Save at Print resolution and upload your files to us.
If your pages were created in another application such as Quark xPress, CorelDRAW or Microsoft Word you can still upload your files to us. These applications don't save the font information within the page layout so you will additionally need to include all of the fonts used in your project. If you don't include ALL the fonts we can't print your job.
To include your fonts: create a folder on your computer called FONTS and copy all of the fonts used in your project into that folder. Compress that folder and upload to us along with your page layout.
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2. Missing Graphics
If you are unable to save your page layouts as Print resolution PDF files you will need to upload your native page layout files as well as all linked graphics used in the file.
Quark xPress has long had the ability to gather together all graphics files used in a layout specifically for distribution to commercial printers. Select “Collect for Output…” from the File menu. Quark will then place all your graphics and your layout file in one folder. Remember also to copy all of the fonts used in your project into that folder. Zip (or Stuff) that folder and upload that file to us.
Users of Adobe InDesign, PageMaker, and Illustrator can avoid missing graphics and fonts by simply saving their layout as a Print resolution PDF file.
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3. CMYK vs. RGB – not quite the battle of the century -- but close.
1st law of commercial printing – all graphical elements in a documents intended for commercial print MUST be converted to the CMYK color space to reproduce properly with ink on paper.
CMYK refers to the ink colors (cyan, magenta, yellow and black (K)) that commercial printers use to simulate full color in images. Confusion arises because computer monitors display color in the RGB (red, green blue) color space. In practical terms this means that all graphic files (including images downloaded from the web and photos from digital cameras) must be converted from RGB to CMYK in order to print properly.
Adobe Photoshop is the tool of choice for such conversions. Before you insert images into your page layout be sure that they have been converted to CMYK.
During Pre-flight we routinely check to make sure that all images in a document are specified as CMYK. If we find some that are still RBG we will request that you make the change and re-upload the file to us.
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4. Resolution Too Low
Graphics used in commercial printing need to be displayed at 300 dpi or higher. Sure, the resulting file sizes will be quite large but all that digital detail is required for a good print job.
Never attempt to use graphics grabbed from a web site for use in your layouts. Web graphics are extremely low resolution images with limited color information. They may look acceptable on the computer screen but you will be disappointed with their quality when printed on paper.
High quality stock photos can be purchased on the web. These are images that have been specifically prepared for commercial printing and are typically available in three resolution options. The smallest option is generally suitable for web pages. You can choose between the other two sizes by estimating the final size of the image in your layout. The image should be 300 or higher dpi at its final size.
Photos from digital cameras sometimes pose a different sort of problem – providing too much digital information and thereby bloating the file size far more than necessary. Bring your digital photos into an image editing application such as Adobe Photoshop and adjust the image there. You will want to adjust the Image Size setting so that the photo will reproduce at 300 or higher dpi at the actual size of final use.
Don't make the mistake of simply relying on your page layout program to reduce or crop your images to final size. This often gives unsatisfactory results on press. Take the time to prepare your photos and graphics properly in Photoshop and then place them in your layout.
IMPRORTANT REMINDER: Photos from stock photo sources and digital cameras will be delivered to you as RGB images. You will need to convert these images to CMYK before placement in your layout.
During Pre-flight we routinely check to make sure that all graphics in a document are at 300 or higher dpi resolution. If we find some that are low resolution (or are excessively high resolution) we will request that you adjust the images and re-upload the file to us.
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5. Scanning Basics – avoid GIF at all costs
When scanning images to be used in your page layouts please choose between the following two formats: TIF (without LZW compression) or JPEG (maximum quality setting). These files will undoubtedly be quite large but the commercial printing process requires all of that digital information in order to reproduce properly.
NEVER save files intended for commercial printing in GIF format. GIF was specifically developed to output highly compressed graphics files for web pages. GIF files will not print well. Do not use GIF files in your page layouts – period.
JPEG is a much better format to use for commercial printing. The main drawback with JPEG, however, is that it is a lossy format. That is, some image information is permanently deleted at the time of Saving. JEPG can be highly compressed to save file size, but at the expense of tonal detail. When saving JPEG images out of Photoshop that are to be placed in your page layout application always use the High or Maximum settings.
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6. Create Your Layout at the Proper Size
Set up the project in your page layout application based on the intended final trim size – don't be concerned about multiple imposition – we'll take care of that.
You do, however, still need to allow adequate bleed for graphics that run off the page (see Item 7 -- Allow Adequate Bleeds).
Also be sure to keep any important text or graphics within the “live” area of the page. The live area is defined as anywhere at least .375” (3/8 inch) away from the trim. If important text is too close to the trim there is a possibility that it can be cut off during the final paper cutting process.
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7. Allow Adequate Bleeds
Bleed is defined as photos or areas of background color that run off the edge of the page in your design. You must allow at least an extra .25” (1/4 inch) of photo or color background beyond the trim boundary. If you do not provide that extra image area we can not guarantee that your job will trim as expected.
If you allow adequate bleed in your graphics we will be able to make the necessary adjustments to your files before going to press.
If you supply files in PDF format, registration marks must be included.
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9. Trapping – just don't do it.
Our pre-press specialists will handle all trapping concerns. Please do not specify your own trapping. Trapping is a very specialized procedure that varies from press to press. If you don't know what trapping is – great, don't worry about it.
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