When you reach the final stages of the production process, take the time to make sure that all the prior steps—design, content proofing and page assembly—have been done correctly. When you consider all the time and expense that has gone into your project thus far you want to avoid any mistakes that may cause or add unexpected costs. Here are a few things you need to consider to ensure optimum results:

File Preparation:
Our digital printers accept both MAC & PC files created in the following software programs:
QuarkXpress 5.0, Adobe Photoshop 6.0, Adobe Illustrator 10.0, Adobe Pagemaker 7.0 and Macromedia Freehand 8.0.

Files & Folders
As with any printing project we need the document design and ALL the pictures and fonts. Place all of your fonts (including fonts used in EPS graphics) into one folder called “Fonts.” Remember to include screen and printer (outline) font files in this folder, nothing else. Put all graphics and images in a folder called “Art.”

The primary page layout should be the only file located outside of the Fonts and Art folders. We prefer that the final composition be created in any of our accepted programs.

Final composition should NOT be done in PhotoShop because specific Pantone colors and/or font issues cannot be corrected.

Photo Resolution
All photos must be scanned in using CMYK as TIF or EPS single file format and in position. The resolution or “dpi” (dots per inch) needs to be 150 dpi at final output size.

We will “res-up” (increase the resolution for enlargement) if necessary, but there will be a slight charge. In addition, all Pantone colors must be specified on your Job Specification Sheet. If will be necessary for you to convert these colors to CMYK, we will handle converting these colors to the appropriate colors based upon the substrate selected and the finishing requested.

GOOD EXAMPLE
If your photo is a quarter the size of the final output, you would want it to be set at 600 dpi to ensure optimum resolution. (Equation: 600 dpi divided by 4 equals 150 dpi.)

BAD EXAMPLE
If the photo is quarter the size of the final output and you have scanned it at 300 dpi, when we enlarge it will only be 75 dpi which is only slightly higher than website resolution. (Equation: 300 dpi divided by 4 equals 75 dpi.)

Web graphics are not accepted for large format printing due to their very low resolution.

Project Identification
Please label everything you send us with your name, project name, company name, contact address and phone number so that we can promptly address any questions we may have about your job. We will return your materials as soon as the job is either picked up or delivered.

We do not archive your files unless requested to do so and will only do so for a limited time period. On the other hand, we will be happy to provide you with a CD of your final color corrected files in case you chose to reprint the job.

Transfer Media
ZIP (250 mb), CD, Floppy Disks and JAZZ (1gb) files accepted. Files may also be emailed to our fttp// website. (INSERT DIRECTIONS) Always call to confirm that we have received your files and that we have opened it to ensure that it was not corrupted during transmission.