Native Graphic Design Program Files We Support: (Macintosh Platform, All Older and Current Versions) Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Indesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Pagemaker, Adobe Acrobat, Macromedia Freehand, Quark Xpress All other files types and and PC Files should be saved as Hi-Res pdf files for output.

Tips & Guidelines to help your job run smoother.

PC

• For files created in PC applications, we prefer .PDF files, but we will work with you to find the most efficient method to get your file to our desktop. When preparing .PDF files, be certain to use the press-resolution setting which embeds all fonts and graphics. Your user's manual should detail how to create these files.
  
  

• We can support native files in most Adobe applications, contact us first to see if we can accommodate your file, then follow the recommendations for submitting a Macintosh file. Convert fonts to paths whenever possible to avoid cross-platform font issues.

Macintosh

• Send along all of the fonts which you used in your document, including those fonts used to create EPS files. For PostScript fonts, we need both the outline font (also known as printer fonts) and the corresponding screen font (a.k.a. bitmapped fonts, which are usually stored in suitcases ) for each type style used. TrueType fonts are single files. We strongly recommend using only brand-name (i.e. Adobe, Linotype, etc.) PostScript fonts. TrueType fonts were created to work with non-PostScript laser printers. We have found them unreliable for use with PostScript printing devices.
  
  
• Send along all of the imported graphics (TIFFs, EPS, etc.), including any native files which may have been used to create the graphics. Remember, Quark Xpress does not imbed any of the graphic files within the document.
  

• Include laser proofs printed on a PostScript printer or a .pdf proof. This is critical if we are to check the accuracy of our work. For color separations, we require separated laser/.pdf proofs.
  

• We work on a first-come, first-served basis. If fonts or graphics are missing when we open your job, we will contact you and your job will be on hold until we get the necessary items. Our standard turnaround is one working day.
  
  

• If you want CMYK separations, make certain that any color photos or graphics are saved as CMYK in Photoshop. If you are uncertain, look in the Image>Mode menu with the file open in Photoshop. In other applications, make certain all colors are defined as CMYK.
  
  

• Make sure your spot color names are consistent among all elements used to create the document. Pantone 372 CV will show up on a different plate from Pantone 372 CVC. Even "RED" will print on a different plate from "red." Unwanted separations create unwanted film, additional file time and more film to correct the problem.
  
  

• Always delete unused colors from the color palette before submitting your file. This confirms that there are no stray colors used in your document.
  
  

• The rule for graphics – keep it simple. When building a graphic in Illustrator, Freehand or Photoshop, it's easy to end up with a very complex file. Keep the points and layers to a minimum. The graphic may print easily to a 300-dpi device, but the complexity may overwhelm our Linotronic at 2540-dpi. Remember, at 300-dpi, 90,000 dots are laid down within a square inch; at 2540-dpi, more than 6.4 million dots are imaged inside that square inch. Not only will ripping time increase, but the graphic may not print at all.
  
  

• Avoid "nesting" graphics within graphics, such as placing an EPS graphic within an EPS graphic before exporting it to a page layout program. The page layout program may have difficulty linking with the imbedded graphic.
  
  

• Size and rotate images in Photoshop before exporting. Manipulating them in Quark or Pagemaker adds another level of complexity to the file.
  
  
• If you are creating a pdf file, be certain to imbed all fonts and graphics.
  
  
• If you have trouble printing your file, it's likely that we will have trouble printing your file.
  
  

From our experience, we have found that a few minutes of care and a handful of laser proofs ultimately saves a whole lot of grief – and money!