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Preparing Your Files for Print

Building The Document

• For Best results, create your page layout in Adobe InDesign, Pagemaker, QuarkXpress or a similar program, and place your Photoshop or Illustrator artwork within this layout.
• Build your document to the final trim size, but extend images that touch the edges of the page to 1/8" beyond this final trim size. For example, if you want your business card to have a red background from edge to edge, you would draw this background to 3.75" x 2.25" instead of the final trim size of 3.5" x 2". For more information on bleed, see About Bleed.
• Binding:
  • Saddlestitching: Build your document to have reader's spreads with facing pages
  • Perfect or Wire binding: Build as single pages
• It is not necessary to include trim marks or other printer's marks
• When naming your files, keep the names simple and do NOT use special characters including /   ,   \   "   '   -

Images

Vector-based (Adobe Illustrator):

• ALWAYS convert type to outlines or paths to avoid font issues. It is recommended that you keep one copy with unconverted text, and save a copy with converted text.
• Save or export all linked files as .eps. Include a native file for all Freehand files used.
• Avoid transparency effects when working with spot colors
• Keep spot color naming conventions consistent between files and applications (Preferrably, always use the Pantone names for spot colors. Avoid calling them things like, "Company X Yellow" or "Blue-Green")

Pixel-based (Photoshop, bitmap):

• All images should be 300dpi for best print reproduction
• All images should be CMYK, grayscale, or duotone/tritone
• Save CMYK, grayscale and duotone/tritone images as .eps files
• Save images with clipping paths as .eps files
• ALL RGB images should be converted to CMYK
• Avoid over-scaling images (75%-125%) when placing into your layout program.
• Sample down a copy of larger images and link them to your file to save disk space and processing time.

Fonts

• Include both screen and printer fonts .
• Include fonts used within illustration files (Illustrator, Freehand)
• Avoid applying styles in your application
• Use the italic or bold version of your actual font

In InDesign, go to File > New... and select the "Facing Pages" checkbox. Click the image for a larger view of the settings.

In InDesign, go to File > New... and do NOT select the "Facing Pages" checkbox. Click the image to see a larger view of the settings.

In Photoshop, go to Image > Mode and make sure CMYK is selected.