Some useful tips when sending a file to be printed.  Either printed digital or offset, this will ensure a smooth process for your project.

Process Color

This is a color separation method that uses percentages of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and BlacK overlying each other to create a full-color composite. This allows the full range of Pantone® equivalent colors to be printed using only four plates.

Spot (Pantone or PMS) Colors

These are special premixed inks used instead of or in addition to process colors. Each spot color will require its own plate in addition to the plates being used for any process colors being printed.

RGB Colors (not recommended)

This is a color separation method that uses percentages of Red, Green, and Blue overlaying each other to create a full-color composite. RGB colors are only recommended for use on the internet as their composition is designed for viewing on-screen and is NOT used in print. We request that all RGB images be converted to CMYK in advance. RGB colors look great on your computer screen but not on your printed piece.

Bleeds

When an aspect of your design covers the entire page, or if a particular image extends past the edge of your document on any given side, that image will need to bleed off the page. This means that the image will need to extend off the edge of the page by no less than 1/8” or .125” to assure proper coverage and room for trim. You will need to place “crop marks” on your layout page. Once printed the paper is to cut to size, removing the crop marks.

Resolution

Resolution refers to the number of ppi (pixels) per inch or dpi (dots) per inch. We recommend no less than 300 dpi at the size the art is being used; anything less will not have the clean detail you may desire in your finished piece. Line art (black & white images with no screens) need a much higher resolution, we recommend 1,200 dpi. Really large line art images may need to be reduced to 600 dpi but should not be lower.

Beware of photo images received off the web, many offer RGB images, usually .png files, that are a small size at only 72 dpi. These images usually do not look good when enlarged. Vector and.eps files are preferred.

Page Layout

          InDesign® CC

A Page Layout Program is used to compile text and graphics to create an array of documents such as business cards, letterhead, a variety of forms, and multi-page magazines or books just to name a few.

          Supports/Links

A Support or Link is any object such as graphics, photographs, PDFs, or other forms of art used in a document to enhance its appearance. In order for the page layout program to refer to the information in the support/link files when outputting, the supports/links will need to be supplied. Without the support files, the document will not output properly.

IMPORTANT: supports/links should not be embedded, but rather linked to your document.

          Fonts

It is very important to collect and submit all of the Screen and Printer Fonts used in your document. We have found that given the vast variations in even the most common of fonts, the fonts we have in our Font Library may not exactly match the font or fonts you choose for your document. Mismatched fonts could result in the text of your document reflowing.

Tip: One way to assure that the most current supports and fonts are being provided is to “Package” your file for output. This option is under the file menu within Indesign.

Please note, some free-to-use fonts may not allow packaging for output, in this event you will need to collect them manually.