Guides / Art files
If the deadline is imminent, review this list and adjust the file to print as soon as possible. Allow a day or two of buffer space to edit, dry, or bind files.
Purpose of this guide
Most delays come from trim size, bleed, page order, image quality, color mode, and font issues.
Use the guide below as a final checklist before sending files for print review.
The file size should be larger than the final printed page size, or "trim" size.
E.g: If your page size is 8.5x11", your document should be at least 8.75x11.25" to accommodate the bleed area.
Do not make your document excessively bigger than your file. Just enough so you have a decent sized bleed area.
A surprising amount of files that are submitted are the exact size of the trim size. This causes delays as we have to ask the client to fix their files.
Bleeds should be a margin around all 4 sides of the file that is at least 1/8"(3mm).
Your art file should extend slightly past the trim size into the bleed area. This prevents white lines from showing if the cut is too close to the white border.
Bleed marks are placed in the four corners of the page to show where the trim size will be.
It should be unrasterized so that it will not print on the final product.
Put all inside pages into one file. It helps us download files faster and prepare the proof without page-order confusion.
If the pages are not numbered, there can be a lot of confusion, so it is best that the pages are together.
Perfect and PUR bound projects should keep cover pages in their own file: outer front, outer back, inner front, inner back, and spine.
For saddle stitched projects, having the cover files in the same file as your text pages is fine.
The number of pages in the document should match the final printed matter.
When inputting the number of pages in the order form, remember that a cover is already 4 pages.
If your magazine is 100 pages total, you will have 4 cover pages and 96 text pages.
One physical piece of paper equals to two pages, as we print the front and the back.
Clients sometimes become confused and think that they should input the amount of the actual paper pages in their order.
E.g: 100 files = 50 physical sheets.
The amount of page files that you have is the amount that you should input on your order form.
When designing your art files, take the page numbering into consideration.
Many times, we have seen the page number on the same location for all pages. The placement should alternate since the pages alternate positions.
For example, if page numbers are always on the bottom left corner, the left page will have the page number on the outside corner, but the right page will have the page number toward the binding.
While designing your files, take a look at a book and the page numbers to help you get an idea.
Although you can use a variety of software to create the graphic elements of your project, the final layout should be delivered in QuarkXPress, Adobe InDesign, or Adobe PageMaker format.
These programs were designed for and produce the high-quality output required for professional print production.
We accept both open and closed material delivery options.
Open format: a QuarkXpress or InDesign document sent with all images, logos, fonts, EPS, TIFF, etc.
Closed format: the safest and most reliable option. Convert art files to a PDF before delivery.
EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) is always preferred. This format provides consistent, reliable quality.
A second choice is TIFF (Tagged Image File Format).
WMF (Windows) and PICT (Mac OS) are not always consistent.
In order for your project to have the best quality we can offer, all pages should be at a high resolution.
Your images should be at least 300 ppi. Your images should be a resolution equal to 2-times the line screen.
Most printed pieces are produced at 150 or 175 LPI (lines per inch), which means that your images should have about 266 to 350 ppi (pixels-per-inch).
Use 300 ppi, and you should be safe.
Printing presses require CMYK (Cyan, magenta, yellow, black) coloring.
If your images are in RGB mode, the printed result will appear muddy and flat.
To avoid this, convert all images to CMYK.
Simply select "Image Mode CMYK Color" in Adobe Photoshop.
We suggest that you use PostScript Type 1 fonts and avoid TrueType fonts.
When a TrueType font and a PostScript Type 1 font with the same name are active on your computer, it can cause many potential inconsistencies.
It is crucial that you submit all fonts used, including those in EPS graphics.
Even if you are using a common font such as "Helvetica", your font's version may be different from ours.
