Document Setup

The document file should be set up as the final trimmed size. In the event bleeds are used, include a minimum 0.125” extending onto the pasteboard. All layouts need to be set up as single pages.

Spot Colors

When using spot colors, make sure that all colors are identified with a specific Pantone number or name identity. Also, be sure that the names or numbers are exactly the same in your page layout file as well as all linked images.

Files with Process Colors

For jobs to be printed in 4-color process, be sure to convert all images into CMYK color space before submitting the files.

What is the best format for graphics?

Where possible, use EPS or TIFF format. Although there are many graphic file formats to choose from, the safest bet when printing to a PostScript device is to use EPS for all vector-type graphics (i.e. those created in Freehand, Illustrator, and CorelDraw), and TIFF for all bitmap graphics (i.e. scanned images and screen captures).

Scanning: How to Get the Best Results

Remember this rule of thumb: do not include more data than you need. Problems that arise with TIFFs are usually related to “over-scanning” or having too much data available in the file. Scanning at a higher resolution than the output requires will cause the file to be larger, the printer to be slower, and the chance of an output problem to be greater—all without a noticeable increase in print quality. When scanning continuous tone images (color or grayscale), keep in mind that the line screen of the final printed piece determines the scanning resolution of the image. Typically, scans should be 1 ½ to 2 times the line screen of the final artwork, multiplied by the magnification. For example, if you are scanning a 4x5 inch image for an output at a line screen of 133 dpi and at 100%, you would choose a scanning resolution of 200 to 266 dpi. You should also scale, crop, and rotate images in an image program and allow 1/8” extra for the bleed, prior to placing them into the page layout program, thereby preserving the integrity of the image.

EPS as Easy as ABC

Resist the urge to make EPS files unnecessarily complex. In applications that create EPS files, it’s easy to create a path so complex that it will not output on a PostScript files printer. When that happens, you’ll get a PostScript “limit check” error. Avoid combining complex clipping paths with graduated fills, blends, and/or creating too many points on a path.

What about fonts?

Keep fonts under control. Fonts can cause problems whenever you share files, whether for final output or just for editing. Fonts from different vendors may look the same but have different internal names, and even fonts with the same name can have different metrics. This may cause changes in line breaks or even push text past the end of the document. Remember to provide both screen and printer fonts when submitting files.

Trapping Troubles

In color prepress, trapping is the adjusting of overlapping color areas to account for mis- registration on the press. Typically light colors are slightly spread or choked in relation to darker colors. We will take care of all trapping for your files. Let us know in advance if you have specific trapping needs.

Dot Gain

This value plays an important role in determining both how images are displayed on the monitor and how they are reproduced. A CMYK image will display differently, depending on the dot gain value entered in Photoshop’s Printing Ink Setup dialog box. A higher dot gain value will make it appear heavier, while a lower dot gain value will make it appear lighter. This dot gain value can also affect the tone values that will be produced when the image is output. Dot gain will have a direct affect on tone value when converting from RGB to CMYK; make the image lighter as it will print heavier on the press.

How to Create Sharp Lines

Lines created in Illustrator or other vector graphic programs as a fill but with no stroke value will disappear when ripped and output to a high resolution imagesetter. If you want clean and sharp lines on the final output, you should set the stroke value to at least ¼ point.

Using Rich Black

To create depth in a publication, you might opt to use rich black, a color you create by combining a 100% process black ink with a percentage of one or more of the other process colors (typically, printers use 100% process black with 40% process cyan). Since this rich black is made up of more than one process ink, there is an increased possibility for mis-registration. For this reason, trapping is handled differently with a rich black background; all process colors except process black will spread (according to the trap value). If the rich black background chokes into the foreground object, then only the process black plate will choke. This is used to keep the background process colors from showing through in the event of mis-registration.

How to Avoid Banding

Banding is noticeable when graduated screens have too much space allowance between decreased blended values. It is usually more noticeable with single color printing. Keeping the length of the blend shorter will reduce the chance of banding to occur. Creating gradation in QuarkXpress will cause noticeable banding. For best results, create gradation in Photoshop.

How to Manage Preflight

You can detect and prevent problems by test-driving your publication on your desktop PostScript laser printer. For more in-depth file preflight solutions you may want to invest in a preflight program such as Flight Check or Preflight Pro.

Completing the File: Are you forgetting anything?

Be sure to include all necessary fonts and graphics. Take advantage of features like “Collect for Output” in QuarkXpress. Print proofs at 100% if possible, check them carefully, and provide a copy with your job. Should your job require folding, please include a folded sample. A complete file makes for a speedier set-up time and ensures that the job is on the press on time.

How to Choose the Right Proof

It is very important to choose the right proofing media to prevent problems before your job goes to press. Our current contract proofing system is Compose StarProof using the Epson 9600 inkjet printer. It can automatically match any desired press condition, and includes spot color simulation using affordable, high-speed inkjet technology. We also provide our clients regular inkjet and laser proofs at a much lower cost. Although they are not good enough for proofing color accuracy, they are an excellent choice for proofing content.

What’s the best way to submit a file?

You can send your files through the internet either as an e-mail attachment, upload directly to our FTP site , http upload or on ZIP, JAZ, CD, flash drive or floppy disks. When sending your files electronically, Stuffit or Zip your files to avoid corruption. E-mail attachments should not exceed 3MB and can be sent to files@fbp.com. Larger files should be uploaded through our FTP site at ftp.fbp.com.