Preparing files for Commercial Printing

Please call your printer before you start a project! There are important points that you need to be aware of. If you have already prepared a project but require printing most printers can "print from disk" here is what they will need to make the job go smooth

1) Fonts

Please supply all fonts used in the project, if possible convert your fonts to curves or outlines, then they are read by the computer as a graphic and not a font. This resolves a lot of issues when we try to open the file.

2) Seperations

Provide separations on paper or transparency’s, your file will need to be CMYK if it is going to a imagesetter (commercial printer), RGB is fine for digital output.

3) Graphics or Photos

Any and all source graphics including clipart and photos (300 dpi)

4) Hard Copy

Provide hard copy of what the project is to look like, so we know what we are looking at.

5) Colour Sample

A colour sample of the job or greyscale and colours indicated by writing on the document, ask your printer if they have a Pantone swatch book that you can choose the inks colour from. Please be aware that spot colours shift or change when converted to cmyk, you may want to discuss this with the client.

6) Resolution

Correct resolution of photos - 300 dpi please. If you are unsure about your photos provide the originals and we will scan and replace the ones in the file.

7) File Format

Save the document as an: eps., ai or pdf. file. With a hard copy please.

8) Printing with One Colour

If you are designing a project to be printed in one colour please create the document in GRAYSCALE. Make your photographs in black and white. You will be able to judge the contrast accurately this way.

9) Printing with Two Colours

If you are printing in two colours, specify one plate as black the other plate as magenta or cyan, this helps us get the proper plate separation. This may seem like a lot of work because the client will want to see a colour proof of what the job will look like when printed but it will save you, the designer a lot of headache time.

10) Full Colour

If you are printing a full colour job please give us separations. We require a cyan, magenta, yellow and black plate (cmyk). Separations will show you, the designer if there are any problems with the file and where they are. We all know that computers are not perfect and some files will give us problems. You can check them at this stage and do corrections before it costs a lot of money. On larger jobs we may recommend that you get a colour key done to check for accurate colour.

 

Photographs

 

Photos need to be scanned at 300 dpi (dots per inch) to get the very best quality 72 dpi or screen resolution will not produce a quality product and may appear grainy or pixelated (looks like it is made up of squares).

 

The colour mode for full colour printing is CMYK. Most scanners scan as RGB so your photo will need to be converted in a photo editing program. If you are not sure how to do this supply the original photos and we will scan and replace the ones used in the document.

 

Digital Cameras

Digital cameras are great - but for you to use them for print you will need to have your camera set to the highest possible file size. Digital cameras measure picture size in "megapixles". Save them on a CD, do not send us your only copy of them. If you are emailing them to us call and let us know, we will be expecting them and can contact you if there are any problems.

 

Get it off the Internet...

When your client wants you to “get it off the internet” these pictures are low resolution and only look good on the screen and will print poorly.

 

There is also a problem with COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT nobody likes a thief. This may sound harsh but creatives only get paid if someone BUYS their work. Copy and pasting does not make it yours to use.

 

To learn more about Copyrights in Canada

 

 

 I have been in the graphic design industry for 16 years. I consider it my craft and hobby. How lucky I am to enjoy my job! I started out when the software was first being developed and have seen the evolution and death of many companies and products, some good and some bad.

 

Officially I am a Certified Desktop Publisher, which is now called Computer Graphic Design. I graduated with honours from Pitman Business College, in Vancouver, BC. I have held positions in a large marketing firm and in at a printing company. I am constantly upgrading my skills through on-line training and seminars. I am a member of NAPP, National Association of Photoshop Professionals, check them out.

 

I jumped into the world of websites when they too were in their infancy and have found that they are not only a challenge to create but an amazing way to reach out to the world around us. I enjoy creating an on-line image as much as the printed one and when joined together they can be a powerful marketing tool. If your like my work let others know, if you have a problem with my work let ME know, I can only improve if I hear the bad not just the good.