Preparing Black & White Digital Files for Output

Many things need to be considered about the printing process before you actually sit down to design your piece; layout program compatibility, graphic file resolution, press imaging sizes, and the file submission method you wish to use. If your job is properly planned out before you even get started on the computer, better results are guaranteed.

Software Compatibility
Always contact your print provider to make sure they have the same version of software that you plan on using. You may also want to confirm that the software is best suited for the results that you hope to achieve.

Fonts
Use genuine fonts such as Adobe PostScript or True-type. Generally stay away from free Internet fonts or fonts that come packaged with personal printers. For accurate typesetting specify all typefaces in the Fonts Menu instead of using a Type Style command. Fonts converted to outlines are also acceptable.

Screens and Lines
Screens are lighter and lines are thinner when printed on the DocuTech, so in order to simulate the output of your desktop printer you will need to add 10% to your screens.

Photos and Scans
Scan all photos at 300 dpi with a 106-line screen. Do not size and rotate the files in the layout program, you will get better results if all manipulation is done in a graphics program like Photoshop. Also make sure to include all fonts and graphics when you send the file to the print provider.

Saving Your Files for Output

Application Files
The files you create and save on your computer are application files. For example, if you are creating a document in Microsoft Word for Windows, QuarkXPress, or Powerpoint, and you save the file using that specific program, you have just saved an application file.

Potential Problems with Application Files
Application files will usually always open up correctly on the computer that they were created on. However, in order to open the file and have it look exactly the same on a new computer, one would need the same fonts, graphics, printer set-up, and style sheets. With certain application programs this is an easy task to achieve. QuarkXPress and Adobe PageMaker are both great layout programs that help to ensure predicable results. Unfortunately application programs like Microsoft Publisher and Microsoft Word can be problematic.

File Saving Options for Problematic Application Files
Do not despair if you are using an unfavorable application program. There are a few successful work arounds that will yield great results.

Postscript Files
In the print menu (not the save menu) of most programs is a "print-to-file" option.
When you check this box, the information that would typically be sent to your printer will be printed to a file instead. This file can then be saved and sent to your printing company. As long as the printer driver you are using is compatible with those of your printing company, your document will print correctly. See the Printer Driver section for more information on this option.

PDF files
Any document can be converted into an Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) file. This format allows your document to be opened across a broad range of hardware and software, and it will look exactly as you intended - with layout, fonts, links, and images intact. To create PDF files, software will need to be purchased, but the initial small investment will be worth the money in the long run. See the Converting to PDF section for more information on this option.

File Transmission
Once your file is complete, always print out a sample. This allows you to carefully review your work and it also is good for the print provider to have in order to understand the results you desire. The first step in the file submission process is deciding how you will be sending the files. With smaller files e-mail may be the best choice. FTP is also a viable option. With both of these methods we strongly suggest that the file be compressed before submission. WIN-ZIP for the PC or Stuffit for the Mac are good compression programs. For larger files, you may want to consider a zip or Jaz disk or burning a CD-ROM. Next, you will want to collect all of your images for output. Make sure you have included all fonts, graphics, and the application files. You may even want to open the file from the disk to see if all of the elements are present. Finally send the file with the printed samples to your print provider. Always request to see a proof to ensure that you will be satisfied with the final piece.

Preparing Digital Files for Color Output

Many things need to be considered about the printing process before you actually sit down to design your piece; layout program compatibility, graphic file resolution, press imaging sizes, and the file submission method you wish to use. Plan your job properly before you even begin working on the computer to ensure the best results.

Software Compatibility
Always contact your print provider to make sure they have the same version of software that you plan on using. You may also want to confirm that the software is best suited for the results that you hope to achieve.

Fonts
Use genuine fonts such as Adobe PostScript or True-type. Generally stay away from free Internet fonts or fonts that come packaged with personal printers. For accurate typesetting specify all typefaces in the Fonts Menu instead of using a Type Style command. Fonts converted to outlines are also acceptable.

Photos and Scans
All images must be converted to CMYK from RGB to be output on most color devices. Image manipulation, like sizing and rotation, should be done in a graphics program like Photoshop for more predicable results. Also make sure to include all fonts and graphics when sending the file to the print provider.

Bleeds
Provide adequate bleeds. We require 1/16th " for our output devices.

Saving Your Files for Output
We like to receive all original files for color output. This includes all graphic images, fonts and application files. PDF files and documents created in word processing programs are not recommended.

File Transmission
Once your file is complete, always print out two samples. One sample should be a composite and the other sample should be color separated. This allows you to carefully review your work make sure to carefully check each color separated page to ensure your images are printing properly. Provide these samples to your print provider. The first step in the file submission process is deciding how you will be sending the files. With smaller files e-mail may be the best choice. FTP is also a viable option. With both of these methods we strongly suggest that the file be compressed before submission. WIN-ZIP for the PC or Stuffit for the Mac are good compression programs. For larger files, you may want to consider a zip or Jaz disk or burning a CD-ROM. Next, you will want to collect all of your images for output. Make sure you have included all fonts, graphics, and the application files. You may even want to open the file from the disk to see if all of the elements are present. Finally send the file with the printed samples to your print provider. Always request to see a proof to ensure that you will be satisfied with the final piece.