File Preparation Guide for Printing

To ensure a smooth and efficient printing process, please follow our file preparation guidelines. Properly prepared files help avoid delays and ensure the highest quality results. If you have any questions or encounter issues not covered in this guide, feel free to contact us.

Quick Checklist

• Fonts: Ensure all fonts are included and type is legible and crisp.
• Layout: Verify that the page layout is correct and margins are properly set.
• Artwork: Confirm that artwork matches the specified dimensions.
• Linked Files: Place all linked files, images, and fonts in separate folders.
• Colors: Ensure all colors are in CMYK mode for accurate printing.

Bleeds

For designs that extend to the edge of the page, add a 1/8" border to avoid white space or borders after trimming. Keep text at least 1/4" away from the edge to prevent accidental cropping.

Color Specifications

Color accuracy can be affected by monitor calibration, screen resolution, and lighting. Print previews are not reliable for color accuracy. For best results:

• Pantone Colors: Specify Pantone spot colors for one, two, or three-color jobs and ensure they separate correctly.
• CMYK Mode: Convert all colors to CMYK mode for accurate color reproduction and high-quality output.

Image Resolutions

• Images and Pictures: 300 dpi for optimal quality.
• Rasterized Text or Logos: 1200 dpi for sharpness.
• Screen Values: Between 133 lpi and 150 lpi for best results.

Guidelines by Application

Follow these specific file requirements based on the application you are using. Contact our graphics department if you have any questions.

Adobe Photoshop

• Resolution: 300 dpi at 100% of actual size for quality offset reproduction.
• File Format: Save files in PDF format, embedding all fonts and setting the screen value to 133 lpi.

Digital Proofs

We provide PDF files as electronic soft proofs to show layout and design elements. Note that these proofs are not a guarantee of color accuracy. For critical color matching, request a hard copy proof. Scan all transparencies and line art at 100% of final size unless data size is prohibitive, in which case scan at 1/4 or 1/2 of final size.