We here at The Printing Pros want to produce printing of only the highest quality and that means that file preparation is extremely important. In order to process your order efficiently and avoid potential problems, please review the information on this page. Any missing steps may increase turn-around time, possible errors, and diminish the quality of your project.
But, don't let this scare you — we specialize in nonconforming files. We only employ very talented computer people in our prepress department and have extremely sophisticated ripping software to take on any challenge.
Preferred Software and File Formats
While we do accept and can work with virtually every program you throw at us, sticking to the standard graphic applications on your end will help us get your job from file to press as quickly and as smoothly as possible.
Microsoft Publisher
Microsoft Word
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Adobe Framemaker
Corel Draw
Preparing Your Artwork
Image Resolution:
If you scan or place any photographic images they need to be a minimum 300dpi (dots per inch) and at the actual size you intend to print them (don't enlarge images when placing into a layout program), otherwise print quality will be poor.
You can check the DPI of your image in Adobe Photoshop under the Image Size menu as shown below.
It is recommended that you do not use any images straight off any web pages, as they are usually low quality (72 DPI). Do not increase the resolution in Photoshop by changing the DPI. This is called interpolation and will not improve image quality. Below are examples of both resolutions:
72 DPI
VS.
300 DPI
Line art images (sometimes called 1-bit or bitmap images) should be at least 1200 DPI and saved as tiff.
Document Size:
Set all document pages to the final trim size. Do not include the bleed inside the document. (i.e. Do not place an 8 1/2"x 11" trim size on a 10" x 12" Quark document.)
Bleed:
This is the portion of the document that will be trimmed off when cut to the final size.
The document must provide bleeds if colors, images or graphic elements go to the very edge of the page.
If your document requires bleeds, please extend the elements on the page that go to the very edge at least 1/8" (.125) past the edge of the document.
All text in your document must be no closer than 1/8" (.125") to the edge of the document. This is a "Safe Zone" that avoids elements being too close to the edge cut off during trimming.
Including Fonts:
Convert fonts to outlines or curves where possible. Otherwise, be sure to include all the fonts (screen and printer fonts, or truetype) you have used in the document.
Please choose fonts with native bold and/or italic versions rather than manually stylizing a font. Otherwise, we may be required to reset your manual bold, italic, and bold italic styles to the correct font.
Most design applications have a feature for "collect for output", which will gather all of your fonts and graphics as well as the design document into one folder to send. Please use this feature whenever possible.
Including All Images:
Avoid embedding images; link them instead. Save all graphics you have placed into your document as either tiff or eps files. File formats such as gif and jpeg will not reproduce nearly as well.
Be sure and include all the files placed in your layout file as well as any files placed into your linked files. (i.e. an Illustrator eps file with a Photoshop tiff placed into it.)
Most design applications have a feature for "collect for output", which will gather all of your fonts and graphics as well as the design document into one folder to send. Note that collecting for output will discard the 'links within links' as mentioned above. Please use this feature whenever possible.
Readers Spreads:
Supply your documents in 1-up single pages in sequential page order (not printer spreads). Don't build files as two pages on one document (i.e. two 8 1/2" x 11" pages built on an 11" x 17" page). We will handle all of the imposition of pages using the latest software.
Colorized Text:
It's best not to colorize small text (in a 4 color process job). Since the registration will never be absolutely perfect, colored halos will appear around the characters. It is OK to colorize larger type that is 18pts or higher.
Proofing Your Work:
To quote Benjamin Franklin, "Anyone who prints a job without a proof is a fool." After 200 years this still holds true.
Professional Feel:
Take pride in your work as we do. Have other people critique your project and make it the best it can be. Check the mechanics of the job – bleed, folds, photo placements, colors, consistency of elements, guides, etc.
Free File Review
If you're not sure your document will work for offset printing or, if someone has rejected your files elsewhere, send them to us! We will examine it at no charge to let you know what you can do to make your project look as professional as it possibly can.
