Regardless of the size or complexity of your project, there are a few basic giudelines to help ensure the timely and cost effective completion of your print projects.

First, we prefer input files in PDF format.  (That's short for a Portable Document File.)  If you create the PDF, we can provide a configuration file for Adobe Creative Suite software, that will assimilate the base file to our specs.  Keep in mind; however, that sending only a PDF eliminates our ability to make any adjustments or corrections to the file.

As a general rule, word processing software does not work well for creating desktop print designs.  The preferred choice is software designated for design such as Adobe InDesign, Quark Express, Adobe Illustrator and others along these same lines.

Page set up is another important element to prepress and must include the specified trim size, bleed, if applicable, and trim marks.

All graphic elements should be created with a resolution of at least 300 dpi and placed on the page at the "same size" to ensure good reproduction.  CMYK color is preferred, but in some cases RGB is acceptable dependant upon the production process requirements.  Graphic elements that require a transparent background can be either an .eps with a clipping path or a .psd file with a transparent background.

Jobs that require "spot" colors, should have a unique color properly defined, in the page layout software's color pallet. For example, if you desire a particular shade of red, you must name it "PANTONE RED 032C" rather than just calling it "red."

Die cutting and scoring must also be defined in the color pallet as a spot color named "Dieline."  As long as you use this name, you can make the preview color any one you choose.  The individual elements that make up the die cut shape and/or score must be set to overprint.  Our system handles the rest.

We honor all font license restrictions.  It is your responsibility to provide us with and use fonts that have the appropriate licensing. 

Lastly, we offer several methds of transmitting files to us including FTP and our Insight Portal, which has online approval capabilities.  If you send application files, it is a good idea to compress or "zip" them before they are sent to the FTP.  Insite has tools that permit uploading PDF files directly into the prepress workflow for immediate online proofing.

 More questions?  Call and talk wtih one of our prepress experts.  We are here to help and guide you!

Magna IV Communications is proud to present 4Front, today's hottest turn-key marketing solution that puts you in the forefront of your industry.

If you've ever spent excessive time and energy versioning collateral or broken your budget paying ad agency fees, then read on......

So, what is 4Front and what can it do for me?

It's Print-On-Demand Marketing.

Huh?  This is when you give us templates of all your collateral material, like brochures, postcards, magazine ads, web banners an even promotional items.  We load them up onto your very own branded website and give you, and whoever you designate at your company, access to the site.  Then you can use the site 24/7 to customize all your materials, with a few clicks of the mouse.  It gives you the ability to change logos, images and any content you wish, and you can even upload images and logos from your desktop.  How cool is that?  The best part is that you will know the cost and turn around time in advance and your materials will have the same look and quality in Chicago as they do in Atlanta, L.A., Dallas or New York.  You get the idea, right?

It's Fulfillment with Ease.

You can also store and house items in Magna's ginormous facility and have it available on your site to order.  Say you have hats, mugs, shirts, pens, etc.  We inventory and fulfill online orders to all of your locations.

Let's face it, today we are all performing so many functions in our jobs, that anything that can make our lives easier is a relief.  4Front helps you to centralize your marketing efforts, control costs and timeframes, as well as branding.  Most importantly, it's YOUnique to you and your needs. Contact us to help you with your new online solution.....and you'll be one step closer to custom branding and building your marketing materials instantly.  You'll save so much time, you can actually go home at 5 o'clock. 

Well, it depends on who you ask, but there are a few facts that can’t be ignored. Sheet-fed printing’s market share is shrinking along with its profit margins. The question becomes, if we as communications providers see this as a threat or a grand opportunity?

As a glass half-full person, I believe printing will never die, but it has and will continue, to make a grand metamorphosis.  As this evolution takes place, much of our work will shift from sheet-fed printing to digital and print on demand. Shorter runs along with variable data, cross media marketing and overall programs that involve internet based turnkey print procurement are taking the pace of commodity based sheet-fed printing.

Order takers, your days are numbered!

Today’s communications providers solve problems and come up with viable programs and solutions for their customers. Whatever the outcome of sheet-fed printing, the way we approach the process of taking care of our customers has forever changed. If we are to survive and thrive today and in the future, a holistic consultative approach is the only way to serve the needs of the sophisticated buyer.