Electronic Pre-Press Guidelines from Presentation Products & Solutions

Web Press Image

1. Provide 150 lpi Line Screen.

2. Resolution should be at least 2400 dpi.

3. Films supplied should be right-reading, emulsion side down.

4. Bleeds should be a minimum of 1/8" offset from trim marks.

5. Registration marks, crop marks, fold & trim marks (offset 1/8" from trim) and colors indicated on all films.

6. Tight trapping should be .0035" for color traps and .007" for black traps, (we recommend that the trapping be done by the separator).

7. A clear die Mylar is available for exact positioning of your graphics at no additional charge.

8. Solid background colors made out of 4 C/P may require that we run as a fifth color.

9. A color proof must be furnished with all films. (Matchprint, Iris, Chromalin, Waterproof, etc.). If a color proof is not furnished, we will make one and submit it for your approval. We will also supply a blueline mock-up trimmed to the die-cut specifications.

You may submit disks using any of the following MAC or PC application packages;

QUARKXPRESS PHOTOSHOP ILLUSTRATOR PAGEMAKER FREEHAND

If your application software is not on this list, please call. Fonts used in MAC files should be Adobe Type 1 (TrueType fonts should be avoided unless provided with your disk). You may also save your files in .eps format, with all text outlined or converted to curves.

CD-ROM Disks we recommend that all files larger than 10MB be sent on CD-ROM disks.

Modem Due to the large size of most files, sending the files via modem is not recommended for files over 10MB.

Include all fonts and support files on your disk. Even if your pictures are embedded in your document, please include those files, as we may need to re-save them in a format that is compatible for output to all proofing devices, plate-setter, or imagesetter.

Provide a laser or ink-jet proof. Supplying a proof of your document will help us assure accuracy when your document is produced.

Do not supply your files with trapping. Any document that requires trapping will be trapped through our in-rip trapping that is set to our press specifications.

Ask your customer service representative for a "die-on-disk". You can layout your document on the electronic die to assure proper formatting. All glue-tabs, folds and reinforcements must be incorporated in your document, otherwise there will be a nominal charge for formatting to the correct die specifications.

DISK INPUT ASSUMPTIONS

1. That all elements have been properly placed.

2. That all fonts used in the document are on the disk in both their display and printer versions.

3. That all associated files for the document (i.e. TIFF and EPS files) are on the disk.

4. That all PMS colors that need to be made from process tints have been converted within the application to their respective CMYK percentages and defined as a new color through the Edit/Color menu.

5. That there is one piece of film for each color.

6. That the above file can run through the image setter with no operator intervention.

COMMON DISK PROBLEMS

Which can lead to delays and/or additional charges.

1. Failure to submit a current proof (B/W or Color).

2. Failure to include all fonts with your disk.

3. Bad or missing scans or image files.

4. Failure to include bleeds where needed.

5. Files that output more than 1 piece of film per color.

PHOTOGRAPHS: If your document contains photos, supply the files that made them. Usually scanned into Adobe Photoshop, photos should be saved as CMYK or grayscale, TIF or EPS format. RGB files do not output CMYK film. You will also notice subtle changes in color between the two formats. When scanning your photos, the resolution of the scan should be 300-350 dpi assuming that it is to be placed in your desktop publishing program at 100%. If you enlarge the photograph in your desktop publishing program, you lose resolution proportionately. The resolution of photographs is important because photos are made of pixels. If the resolution is not high enough, you will see jagged edges and small squares in your photos.

LINE ART: Scanned line-art should be between 900 & 1200 dpi. Save as a TIF or EPS. The same rule-of-thumb applies to re-sizing when placing the image as mentioned in photographs above.

VECTOR ART: Vector art that is created in a program such as Adobe Illustrator or Macromedia Freehand. Vector art is made up of curves and fills and enlarges and reduces proportionately, therefore resolution is not an issue in this type of file format.

RESOLUTION: As mentioned above, image resolution for CMYK photographs and grayscale images should be 300-350 dpi. This assumes that the photo will be placed in your desktop publishing program at 100%. If you enlarge these photographs in the desktop publishing program, you will lose image quality. If you reduce the image, you gain resolution. EXAMPLE: Photo scanned at 150 dpi and placed at 50% will print at desired resolution. Photo scanned at 300 dpi and placed at 200% will image with a resolution of 150 dpi and will image at a less than desirable resolution. The same example holds true with line art.

COLOR: When photographs (particularly duo-tones) and vector art are imported into a desktop publishing program, please be sure that the name of your spot colors are EXACTLY the same. Otherwise, the same spot color may actually output on two separate plates or screens. When color is critical to your project, we recommend a color proof with your job. The colors you see on your monitor or color laser/inkjet printer may not match what is produced.