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!