Prizm Companies Graphic Guidelines

Transcription

1 Prizm Companies Graphic Guidelines In this document you will find the graphic Guidelines for Prizm, these guidelines are in place to ensure a seamless workflow for our customers as well as in house. If these Guidelines are followed it reduces our setup time not only speeding up our production of your product, but also ensuring that what you supply us, is what you are going to receive, therby reducing cost of additional set up charges. If at anytime you have any questions regarding our graphic Guidelines please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help. Acceptable File Formats: Adobe Acrobat Document (.pdf) (recommended)* Adobe Illustrator Artwork (.ai/.eps) (recommended)* Adobe Photoshop Image (.psd/.eps/.tif) (recommended)* Adobe Indesign (in pdf format.pdf) JPEG Image (.jpg,.jpeg)* Acceptable File Formats that will require additional set up by Prizm at our hourly set up rate: QuarkXpress 6.5 or earlier Bitmap Image (.bmp)* Microsoft Word Document (.doc) Microsoft Publisher Document (.pub) (in pdf format.pdf) PostScript File (.ps) GIF Image (.gif)* PNG Image (.png)* Unacceptable File Formats: CorelDRAW Image (.cdr,.clk) PCX Image Document (.pcx) PICT Image (.pic,.pict,.pct) Scalable Vector Graphics (.svg,.svgz) TARGA Image (.tga,.vda) Windows Enhanced Metafile (.emf) Windows Metafile (.wmf) * Some file formats that may be used for web design, contact our web master for further information.

2 General Guidelines: Below are some general guidelines that apply to graphics and image files regardless of the platform or applications you are using. Most of the information is in regards to 4 color printing (CMYK), if you are utilizing spot colors please inform your Prizm representative so the appropriate preparations can be made. Please adhere to the Guidelines for following subjects when preparing your document for print: Bleed Bleed is printed colors that extend past the edge of a page. To accommodate a bleed, the materials must be printed larger than the final trim size. The page is then trimmed through to the bleed area. To prevent an unwanted white border from showing at the edge of your document, be sure to extend any background colors or design elements all the way past the trim size of the document by.125 on all sides. Please keep this in mind when creating your document or saving your.pdf, it is much easier to plan for bleed than to try and add it later! Trim Marks Trim lines indicate the finished size of the document. These lines are used to determine where the piece is to be trimmed in the finishing process. When bleed is used, please include Trim Marks in your document indicating the final size of the finished piece. Trim marks are not necessary when no bleed is required and a finished size is supplied with project info. Live Area The live area is a space definitely inside where the cut will take place. Please remember to keep all important information, like names, addresses, phone numbers or logos within the safe margin (at least.1875 from the edge) to ensure that they are not cut off when your document is trimmed. Resolution What is resolution? Resolution refers to the number of dots per inch (dpi), or the amount of detail the image has. Documents prepared for submittal should be 300 dpi at 100% of the final print size, or the closest possible, 72 dpi images are not guaranteed for quality in print. Higher resolution means a more detailed image, and a lower resolution means a less detailed image. CMYK vs. RGB CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black) are the colors used in the printing process, whereas RGB (Red, Green and Blue) are the colors used by screen displays such as your monitor. Please note that JPEG files are almost always in RGB. Your document should be created in, or converted to, CMYK mode so that the colors that you see on the screen most closely match the final printed product. If you create your document in RGB, the colors in your printed product may vary slightly or print as greyscale. Many of the bright values produced by your monitor cannot be reproduced in print. Please be sure that all of your supporting files are also converted to CMYK as well. Set up large areas of black coverage with the following values: 60 cyan, 40 magenta, 20 yellow, 100 black. Small black text (under 24 pt) and rules (under 6 point) should be left 100% black only. Supporting files If you are sending us application (i.e, non-pdf) files, make sure you include: ALL font files, including fonts that are used in linked graphics. ALL linked or placed files used in primary document, please adhere to the acceptable file formats for placed files as well.

3 Converting Fonts to Outlines Text can be converted to curves (paths) in some graphics programs. This will fix upload errors that result when fonts are not embedded in your file, but this will eliminate our ability to make any late changes. Following these easy steps will help ensure that your text prints clearly. How to convert fonts to outlines in Adobe Illustrator 1. Select text to convert. 2. Go to Type Menu> Type> Create Outlines Text now has a editable outline path. How to convert fonts to outlines in Adobe InDesign 1. Select text to convert 2. Go to Type Menu> Create Outlines Text now has a editable outline path. Vector vs. Raster Images What are Vector Images? Vector images use mathematical equations to define each component of an image. This allows vector images to retain their high-quality at any size. When possible, use vector graphics created in a desktop publishing program such as Adobe Illustrator. What are Raster Images? A raster image is a reproduced graphic (text or image) which is displayed on a video monitor as pixels or on paper as an array of dots. It is identified in terms of resolution, such as dots per inch (dpi) or pixels per inch (ppi). Raster images are produced from scanners, digital cameras or software editing programs. Raster images work well when subtle gradations of color are necessary. Because they contain a fixed number of pixels, a major disadvantage of raster images is that their quality suffers when they are greatly enlarged or otherwise transformed beyond the originals proportions. Saving your Images and files: Images should be in the cmyk colorspace. Images should be at least 300 dpi in resolution, lower resolutions will result in poor output quality. If you are saving images as JPEGs, make sure they are set to the highest quality compression level. If you are saving images as TIFs, do not turn on LZW compression. If you are saving files as EPS, make sure that preview is set to TIFF, 8-bits /pixel, and Encoding is set to Binary. If you are submitting layered photoshop file with text, either include all fonts or flatten file to.eps. If you are submitting a.pdf created from a layered photoshop file, please flatten your layered file before saving the pdf (always save a layered file with your files for your future use), this eliminates any font or oversized pdf file size issues. Any images supplied at anything less than 300 dpi at 100% of size cannot be guaranteed for quality reproduction in print. note* images obtained from the internet are primarily low resolution and not suggested for use in high resolution printing, they may also be rights protected.

4 PDF files PDF is the preferred format when receiving files for print, please see the information below when saving a pdf for print with Prizm. If you are using an Adobe application and are already comfortable with the PDF creation process, please use the "PressReady" preset and set "Compatibility" to AT LEAST Acrobat 6 (PDF 1.5). You also need to add.125" bleed and check the trim marks check box in the "Marks and Bleeds" settings panel, if bleed is required in document. How to create PDFs using Adobe Illustrator: If your document uses any Illustrator effects such as transparency or drop shadows, go to "Transparency Flattener Presets" (under the "Edit" menu), and select "High Resolution." Step 1: Under the "File" menu, go to "Save As..." Step 2: Select PDF as Format, select destination folder Step 3: For "Adobe PDF Preset" select "Press Quality." Set Compatibility to "Acrobat 6 (PDF 1.5)" (or higher). Step 4: Click on "Marks and Bleeds" and apply.125" bleed on all sides if required. Step 5: Click "Save PDF". Your PDF will be saved into the location you specified in step 2. How to create PDFs using Adobe InDesign: Step 1: Under the "File" menu, go to "Adobe PDF Presets > [Press Quality]..." Step 2: Select PDF as Format, select destination folder Step 3: For "Adobe PDF Preset" select "Press Quality". Set Compatibility to "Acrobat 6 (PDF 1.5)" (or higher). Step 4: Click on "Marks and Bleeds" and apply.125" bleed on all sides. Step 5: Click "Export". Your PDF will be saved into the location you specified in step 2. How to create PressReady PDFs using QuarkXPress version 6 (Mac or PC): Step 1: Under the "File" menu, go to Export > Layout as PDF... Step 2: For Pages select All or indicate specific page i.e. "1-12" Step 3: Leave Spread UNchecked, please submit pages singly Step 4: Click on Options... and apply the following settings for each section: Layout info - Document title in Title field Hyperlinks - uncheck "include Hyperlinks" Job Options - Check "Embed all fonts" - Check "Subset font below" and change to field 100% - Under "Compression Options" change all to - "compression - none" - "resolution - keep resolution" - Leave "Compress text and line art" and "ASCII Format" unchecked Output - "Color Output" - "Type - Composite" - "Print Colors - CMYK" - uncheck "Produce blank pages" - "Registration" - Centered, offset 6 pt - "Bleed" - Symmetric - Amount.125" OPI - Uncheck OPI Active Step 5: click OK at bottom of page and your prompted back to the export page, indicate a location to save file and click Save and your pdf is ready to send.

5 How to create PressReady PDFs using Adobe Photoshop: While Photoshop isn't generally recommended for use as a layout application, it is possible to compose an entire page in Photoshop. To send a PressReady PDF of a Photoshop layout: Make sure your Photoshop file also conforms to all of the image standards noted in this document. If the artwork in your Photoshop layout includes bleed, please build the file with.125" bleed on each side. Be mindful of your trim area, not to place any important information or images within.1875" of the trim area. Please flatten your layered file before saving a pdf (always save a layered file with your files for your future use), this eliminates any font or oversized pdf file size issues. Follow these steps: Step 1: Under the "File" menu, go to "Save As..." Step 2: Select Photoshop PDF as Format, select destination folder and click "Save" Step 3: Select JPEG encoding and set to maximum, leave all other options in this window unchecked Step 5: Click "OK". Your PDF will be saved into the location you specified in step 2. For additional information on how to create PDFs, you can download the PDF How to Create Adobe PDF Files for Print and Press from the Adobe website. Additional file information Fold Marks Fold marks indicate where the fold will take place on such products as brochures, if your document requires fold(s), please include fold marks on the outside of the document trim area with dashed lines or indicate to your prizm representative where the folds will be required. Die Cutting indication (die lines) Die cutting involves the use of metal dies to give paper or substrate products specific shapes or designs that cannot be accomplished by a straight cut on a web press or a guillotine cutter. If your project includes a die cut, please supply the necessary digital file to indicate were the die cut will take place, if you need a die line created at Prizm please inform your prizm representative. Acceptable file transfer Media and methods Prizm can accept your project files in a number of ways, if none of the option below are possible for you, please contact your Prizm representative. DVD or CD disk Portable USB drive (files under 8mb) FTP transfer, contact Prizm for further information and directions Proofs When submitting your project, please supply a proof (A copy of the artwork representing the finished product. It is used for review and approval.) in hard copy, this gives our production department something to judge the file set up by. All customers are supplied with a proof (digital or hard copy) to review and approve before file is printed, customer approval is required before any job can go to print. If requested, a high resolution, color match proof can be supplied to customer for final approval at an additional cost. Once the proof is officially approved by the customer, a press time will be scheduled for the print of the project. If significant changes are required after final initial proof approval and secondary proofs are required, a new print schedule will be created for project once secondary proofs are approved.

6 Revisions / changes After final file submittal from customer, any revisions or changes to document or project requested by customer are subject to additional set up fees. If changes are made after proof approval by customer, new proofs must be approved by customer before project can go to print. Files that do not meet our guidelines are subject to additional set up fees, Prizm cannot be responsible for finishing or correcting files free of charge unless otherwise agreed upon by Prizm and the customer. If at anytime you have any questions or concerns about the above, please feel free to contact us, thank you! Prizm 204 Avon Street La Crosse, WI Phone: Fax: Toll Free: