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April 2006
Preparing Files for Print

1. Don’t forget the old adage GIGO (garbage in, garbage out).
   The better the original art, the better the final product. Always start with the best you can so you don’t end up in a generational loss of quality. Ideal image quality is 300dpi (dots per inch) at 100% size.
   
   
2. Always prepare your art in the program best suited for the task.
   Illustrator is a drawing program. Photoshop allows you to size, color-correct and manipulate. QuarkXPress or InDesign are for page layout.
   
   
3. Always alter your images (scale, rotate, flop, etc.) before importing them.
   The more manipulation that your page layout programs have to handle, the larger the file size (slowing production) and likelihood of errors at prepress.
   
   
4. When producing a digital image, start big so you can scale down.
   If you need to make an image larger, it is best to rescan or reshoot at a high resolution. Again, 300dpi at 100% is ideal.
   
   
5. Offset printing requires that all files be in CMYK.
   Most printers would prefer receiving stock images that have been converted from RGB to CMYK. Images received as RGB slow production time, and may result in additional prepress charges for you.
   
   
6. Always rely on the numerical color gauges in your software, not the color you see on your screen.
   In other words, if spot colors are to remain true, you are responsibile for checking the Pantone numbers and/or CMYK conversions in your documents.
   
   
7. Build your files at actual size unless your final size is too large for your software to accommodate.
   If bleeds will be produced, allow 1/8 inch where appropriate and indicate this.
   
   
8. If using a lot of images, don’t put hi-res files in your layout.
   Use low-res versions as placeholders and provide the printer the hi-res versions at their final size. And notate somewhere in your file which images are FPO (for position only).
   
   
9. Name your files clearly.
   Avoid unusual characters and keep the file name under 30 characters using numbers and letters only. Also, be sure your files have the correct extension (.ai, .eps, .tif, .indd, .qxd, .pdf).
   
   
10. Accuracy matters.
    The later a mistake is caught, the more expensive it tends to be. Taking these simple precautions up front will ensure that your printing results, and invoice, are a pleasant surprise!

© 2006 Multi-Craft Litho, Inc. All Rights Reserved.