File Preparation Tips

Files

Put your entire project in one folder. Inside this folder you can have separate folders that hold your fonts and  graphic files.

Fonts

• If you are using fonts that are not part of the basic Window or Mac group, include them.
• Always use the bold font itself rather than using the bold button. More often than not this causes a postscript error.

Graphics/Pictures

• We highly recommend you create a separate folder just for these files; often we get the files without the  graphics.  
• Avoid embedding your files in the document.
• Avoid using low-resolution jpeg files. 72 dpi looks great on a 72-line monitor, but looks very grainy on the print media.
• Scan your pictures at 300 dpi, and size them in Photoshop to within 5% of what your final print size will be.

Proofs

• Save your file as a PDF, or fax over a copy to us at 425-271-9148.  We need a copy of your file to compare our printed proof against yours.  
• When your customer has signed off on a PDF proof, rename the file to  FINALPROOF.pdf  and make sure your printer, the customer and your mother-in-law all know this is what the final product needs to look like!
• Proofing is very tedious and often is shortchanged. If you find someone who is good at it and even likes it, you have found a treasure!

Ink Colors    

Another very common mistake we see is the use of more colors than you want printed. For example PMS 286uc will look the same on the screen as PMS 286cv, but will print on 2 different plates!  If all you want to use is 1 color, then having many colors in your document will not matter. Otherwise, check in your print menu to see the number of colors that are going to print.