PRINT PREPARATION

• Make it bleed

Files should awaly include bleed where possible. Small layouts should have at least an 1/8 inch bleed, larger layouts should have 1/4 inch or more.

• Wrap it up, we'll take it

Page layouts should always include all linked files and fonts used. Your layout program should have some form of a "collect for output" feature. Files for digital output are best processed in RGB color space.

• The key to perfect images

Optimal resolution for digital printing is 150dpi. Of course, this resolution is for images that are printed at 100% of the phyisical dimensions of your file. If you are printing at more than 100% please keep the multiplied resoultion as close to 150dpi as possible. For example, a 9x12 photo with a resolution of 150dpi will have an efeective resolution of 75dpi when enlarged to 18x24 or 200%. If your graphics are to be viewed for a distance, such as a banner hanging from the ceiling of an exhibit hall, the resolution of the file can be much lower. Billboards for example are typically printed at 19dpi. Web graphics are not intended for printing, nor should they be used as such, where possible.

• What's your vector, Victor?

Vector files, such as native Adobe Illustrator or Freehand files, are object-based graphics and are almost infinitely scalable. Vector graphics do not rely on dots per inch as they use mathmatical equations to determine the shape and size of an object. Most logos are best reproduced from files of a vector format (.EPS). Raster (pixel) graphics should be 150dpi. Typical raster formats are .TIFF and .JPEG files. Adobe Acrobat PDF files are also good to use as they package the fonts used into the document and are made available to the printer for accurate results.

Acceptable formats for digital printing:

• Layouts - QuarkXpress, Adobe Pagemaker, Adobe InDesign
• Images - .tiff, .jpeg, .eps, .pdf, .png, .dng
• Vector Graphics - Freehand or Illustrator .eps, CorelDraw

Formats for avoid for digital printing:

• Microsoft Publisher
• PrintShop or Printshop Pro
• Powerpoint, when used for large format layouts

Of course, we will always make every effort to use the files provided to us to produce your project, however understand that some files take more work to output properly.