We highly recommend the use of a preflighting program such as FlightCheck. This program can check all the elements of your document based on predefined parameters. The correct Ground Controls for FlightCheck can be downloaded from our ftp site or our website. In addition to checking your document, FlightCheck can also collect all the graphics and fonts into a designated folder for transporting your document.
Set up your document pages to be the same page size as the final trim. Do not place on oversized pages, nor create your own register or trim marks. Our system will include them automatically. Any documents submitted with manually created marks will incur additional charges to remove and reformat to the correct size.
Pages should be in the same order as they appear in the final piece. The front cover should be page 1, the back cover should be the last page.
Do not create printer’s or reader’s spreads on single pages. Our system will automatically impose pages as required. Any documents we receive set up in spreads may incur additional charges for reformatting.
Do not embed graphics within the document, as is an option in Pagemaker. It makes the files size larger and does not allow for any manipulation of the graphic if necessary. All graphics should be included as separate files on the disk with the document file.
Do not use Quark’s clipping paths. The results are unpredictable. If the background of a photo needs to be knocked out, it must be done using Photoshop’s clipping paths and saved as an EPS.
Do not trap your files. Our system has an automated in-rip trapping feature which traps files as they are ripped. If you do apply trapping to graphics files created in Illustrator or Freehand, our system will multiply the trapping that is already there. Instead, set all your files to knockout.
Use only the CMYK or Pantone Coated or Uncoated color models for selecting colors in your document. The other available models are not industry standards and unless they are converted to process, we may not be able to match them.
Delete all unused colors from your application’s color list to eliminate confusion and unwanted output.
Colors used in EPS files placed in a layout program must be named exactly as in the layout program. If not, some images may not process correctly, in particular, duotones. There should not be multiple versions of the same color in the color list. (ex: Pantone 200 CV and Pantone 200 CVC)
Pantone spot colors when converted to process do not always look the same as the spot color version.We recommend using a Pantone Process Color Guide (available from Pantone or MacWarehouse) to see how the colors convert. Colors such as orange and blue are much duller looking in process and will not print as expected.
Do not use the color “Registration” unless you want that item to print on all color plates. Using the color Registration for small type can especially create problems due to the high chance of misregister on press for all four plates. Since registration is represented as black in most applications, it can be easy to unintentionally have items using this color. To make it apparent where this color is used, it is a good idea to change it so that it is a color not used anywhere else in your document.
If you wish to use a rich black for your black areas, create a new color called “Rich Black,” made of 30% cyan and 100% black. This will print as a deeper, richer black, especially noticeable on large areas. Do not use rich black for type as it will cause registration problems.
All items which touch the page edge need to extend beyond the edge by at least 1/8", 1/4" is preferred. This ensures that upon final trimming (which cannot be exact on all sheets), the object which extends to the edge of the page is not left with a white edge of the paper.
Always include your graphic files on the disk with your document. Do not embed the graphics in the application (as Pagemaker allows) since it makes the file much larger and takes longer to process.
Save graphics as EPS whenever possible. Tiff is also acceptable, however, EPS graphics output faster and more reliably. DCS 2.0 files are acceptable for spot color images in PhotoShop, however, they can cause problems in processing. A better way to indicate spot colors using Photoshop is discussed on the next page.
Graphics in which you do not want the background to appear, need to have clipping paths created and the file saved with the clipping path as an EPS in Photoshop. Do not use Quark’s clipping paths as they do not work in our system and produce unpredictable results.
Always use a clipping path whenever possible. Images which are on a white background and do not use a clipping path may look fine in the layout program, but don’t always output correctly. They can appear jagged and/or knock out any items the picture box lays on top.
Images need to have an effective resolution of at least 200 ppi, and a recommended resolution of 275-300 ppi to print sharply on press. Images used at greater than 100% need to have their resolution increased proportionately. (ex: If the image is to be used at 150%, for an effective resolution of 200 ppi, it needs to be scanned at 300ppi.)
Resolutions over 300 ppi will only result in enlarged file sizes without any improvement of quality over lower resolutions, and will prolong processing. Resolutions under the minimum 200 ppi may result in pixelating, stair-stepping or fuzziness in the image. Images with too low of a resolution cannot be improved without rescanning from an original.
NOTE: Almost all images pulled off internet websites are 72 ppi – much too low resolution for offset printing. These images are meant for viewing on screen only and should not be used for high resolution printing.