FULL-COLOR for pressrun must be CMYK, 600 dpi, be sure logos and photos are linked (not embedded) and that all images (including text) is CMYK (not RGB etc), when creating your PDF file be sure that it is set for PRINT or PRESS QUALITY (not screen) and that FONTS are embedded. Make sure all linked files are included in the folder you give us.**

A hardcopy (printout on anything, no matter how poor the quality) is highly recommended too!

FULL-COLOR for low-run Color Copying, color mode can be CMYK or RGB, 300 dpi, still be sure that logos and photos are linked (not embedded), when creating your PDF file be sure that it is set for PRINT or PRESS QUALITY (not screen) and that FONTS are embedded. Make sure all linked files are included in the folder you give us.**

A hardcopy (printout on anything, no matter how poor the quality) is highly recommended too!

 

Option 1: COPY TO SHOOT FROM is sufficient if we are to photocopy or print in-house in just one color - also it is quicker (unless you count snail-mail time) and cheaper if you can provide a CLEAN BLACK AND WHITE PRINT-OUT for us to put onto the copyboard of our photocopier or darkroom camera.

If you have photographs make sure they are lightened up a touch more then you'd prefer them to be (as they usually reproduce a tad darker) and if you have tint screens go no darker then 40% and no lighter then 15%. Your laserprinter will need to be set to print HALFTONE SCREEN PATTERN AT 85 LPI (so we have a nice clean polka-dot pattern so then ink doesn't all mud together). If you do not have a laserprinter, we can accept ink jet prints but only if there are no photographs or tint screens (and be sure printer is set to a super-fine setting on black ink only.

Option 2: B&W FILES can be provided if you prefer (or if we require, depending on the nature of the job). PDF is still best, see information above (only make sure the file contains ALL BLACK ART (not RGB etc.) and we still prefer a hardcopy/print-out too! Make sure all linked files are included in the folder you give us.**

If you have photographs make sure they are lightened up a touch more then you'd prefer them to be (as they usually reproduce a tad darker) and if you have tint screens go no darker then 40% and no lighter then 15%

 

Many folks try to submit CMYK art or Jpegs and other raster art - neither will work*** - if you aren't sure how to prepare the actual mechanically proper files please let us create them for you!

If you have illustrations or logos made with more than one color:
We prefer to do our own trapping and will require the tools of Illustrator 5.5 for this to work properly - if you send us AI files make sure you pre-define your Pantone Ink Colors and make extra sure that there is only ONE VERSION OF BLACK used in the file (otherwise we will get more then 1 black plate upon output) - and save down to that version - pre-flight by reopening file before sending to us.

If you choose to do the trapping yourself - be aware that we may need to edit the traps (reason for AI5.5) - 1pt trap is typical but less is used when cross-contamination of ink colors is a concern - for which we will typically consult with the press operator.

ALWAYS "CREATE OUTLINES" FOR YOUR TYPE when using Adobe Illustrator (that way we won't need your fonts)

Make sure all linked files are included in the folder you give us.**

*** if you give us improper files and do not want us to pay us to re-create or correct the art, we will only be able to service you with Full-Color printing of these files.

** We plan to have an FTP site, but for now you can email us fairly large files (just make sure to put all related files into a folder first, and the Zip or Stuff the folder so it is compressed, encapsulated and protected before traveling over the internet. We can also accept USB Thumbdrives, CD, DVD, Zip disks and even old timer floppy disks. When burning a CD or DVD make sure you "burn the disk" so the "session" is closed, otherwise only your computer will be able to access the files on that CD.