These guidelines are intended as a brief set of essential instructions which, if followed, will help to eliminate common problems which can slow the production of your job.
- PostScript Type 1 Fonts
We support the PostScript Type 1 font format and strongly recommend that you avoid using True Type fonts. We will not accept color jobs (including covers and jackets) which contain True Type fonts. While we will accept black and white text jobs with True Type fonts, we discourage their use.
- Fonts Styling Commands
When possible, avoid stylizing your fonts using the type style attribute selections(bold, italic, outline small caps, etc.) in your page layout application. Instead, choose a stylized typeface from the font list. For example: instead of stylizing the Times Roman font to make it bold, choose the Times-Bold font.
- Font Inclusion
Common industry practice is to include all screen and printer fonts used in your documents, and graphic files, with the job.
- Image File Formats
Include on your disks all graphic files used in your documents. TIFF and EPS (EPSF) are the only acceptable formats for graphic files imported into your document. Do not use graphic files created in other formats, like PICT, PCX or "Clipboard" images. Do not rename graphic files after they have been placed into the page layout document.
- Scanning Images
If you are going to scan your own images, remember that press gain will darken the images when they're printed. Please send a test file of your images. We'll check them and advise how to set them up to print correctly.
- Image File Resolution
The image resolution for grayscale and color scans must be 300 ppi at the final size. The only advantage to scanning color or grayscale images at a higher resolution is to allow for later enlargements. The quality of the scan will not be improved by higher resolutions. The resolution of line-art should be no less than 1000 ppi at the finished sized.
- Page Size
The document's page size must be the same as the trim size of the finished pages. Do not create "reader's spreads" on a single page.
- Bleeds
All elements that bleed off the page must extend no less than 1/8" (3mm) beyond the trim size.
- File Organization
Send only one project on a disk. Choose file names which describe what each file contains. For example: chapter for first chapter of a book, or 001-095 for pages 1 through 95. A printed directory of your disks is also helpful.
- Laser Proofs
Send us laser proofs of the entire project at 100% of the file's size. Include crop marks, if possible. If you make alterations to your document, send new lasers together with the altered file(s).
- Media
CD's and Data DVD's are preferred.
- Backup Files
Send only backup files. Never send us original files.
- Native Files
Desktop Publishing Programs
We accept multiple page layout files from QuarkXPress, Pagemaker, and
InDesign. If you are sending page layout files as PDF's, make sure files have no
compression, and no down sampling, and include all printer's marks and page
bleeds. If you are using another layout program other than what has been listed
above, please contact a Sales Manager for further guidelines.
Image Files
We accept image files from Adobe PhotoShop and Adobe Illustrator programs.
Photoshop files should be saved as .tif or .eps files without compression, and at 300 DPI at 100% placement. Illustrator files should be saved as .eps files as well. Illustrator and Photoshop should not be used as layout programs for individual pages. All image files should be saved as CMYK.
Also, all text should be used in the layout program only whenever possible. All image files placed in layout programs, all fonts used, and the layout files themselves, should be included on CD.
