Document Prep.

Preparing your documents for electronic output is sometimes easier said than done. Whether you are supplying application files from Quark Xpress or Publisher, or providing us with PDF files, there are specific guidelines that have to be followed.

This guide is to help you prepare your files so we can output them direct from your disc without our prepress department having to make changes and modifications that will incur extra charges on your order.

Colour Management

Before you send us your files you must ensure the colours in your file are to specification. There are 2 main types of colour printing that we provide:

• Full colour printing, known as CMYK & four colour printing
• Spot colour printing – usually from a specified  colour swatch such as pantone

CMYK printing is made up of the colours Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black (K). It is generally used in the circumstance where you would like to produce full colour images and photography. The colours (CMYK) ‘mix’ together to make the full gamut of the colour spectrum.

Spot colour printing can be more cost effective and can range from one colour to multiple colour printing – if you would like your finished result to have black and red ink – you are using 2 spot colour. The red can be selected from a wide range of shades from a colour swatch (it is recommended that you match your colours on a printed colour swatch, rather than on your monitor as this can be affected by many variables and when printed on paper it may not be the colour you desired).

If you are unsure about your colour management please contact the prepress department at (250) 765-6445 or email prepress@sourcegraphics.net.

Images

Please ensure all scanned (bitmap) images are at least 300 dpi, CMYK or grayscale. Anything less than this can cause ‘jaggies’ on your finished piece. Vector images (EPS files) can also be supplied, ensure any text you use is converted to ‘paths, outlines or curves’.

File Types

The file types that we currently accept in both Mac and PC format are:
• Quark Xpress (.qxd)

You must “Collect for Output”, under the file menu:  Make sure you have the following checked off; Layout, Linked pictures, Embedded pictures, Screen fonts, and Print fonts.

•  Adobe Photoshop (.psd, .tif, Hi-Res .jpg)
•  Adobe Illustrator (.ai, .eps)
•  Adobe In-Design (.ind)

You must “Package” under the file menu:  Make sure that the following are checked off; Copy Fonts, Copy Linked Graphics, Update Graphic Links in Package, Use Document Hyphenation Exceptions Only, and Include fonts from hidden layers and links.

• PDF (PDFX 1a:2001)
(Please note PDF must be saved at press resolution, with fonts embedded) All other files must be saved as high res PDF (PDF/X 1a:2001).

File Submission

You can submit your finished artwork to us in various ways. CDs, DVDs, and USB memory sticks are all acceptable.

If your file is under 5 megs in size you can email info@sourcegraphics.net (you may compress your files using stuffit or zip formats).

If your file is over 5 megs and under 20 megs you may use www.yousendit.com.

If your file is too large to email but smaller than 150 megs you may upload via FTP.

You will require an FTP client: Fetch for Mac or SmartFTP for PC. (available at www.download.com) You will need to enter as: (case sensitive)

Host:	sourcegraphics.net
ID:	guest@sourcegraphics.net
Password:	upload

Please email us at prepress@sourcegraphics.net to notify upload and to supply any further instructions.

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