Resources & Support: Frequently Asked Questions
Find the answers to your prepress questions here!
This is where you can learn what kinds of files we accept along with tips on setting them up correctly. Following these guidelines will save you time (i.e., money) and hassle (yep--money again) in prepress.
We want your work to sail through our computers like a leaf on a breezy day.
- Alright, what kinds of files do you accept?
- How should I set up my pictures, colors and fonts?
- What should I do if my file isn't in one of your supported programs?
- What're some overall "good prepress" tips?
- How long does it take for you to complete my order?
- Why do I need to look at a proof if I've already given you everything I need to have done?
- Alright, what kinds of files do you accept?
We work on the following platforms:
� Mac
� PC
We accept the following media:
� CD
� USB Flash drive
� DVD
We use the following applications:
� Adobe Creative Suite, which includes: InDesign, Photoshop, Acrobat and Illustrator
� Quark 6.5
� PageMaker 7.0 Plus
� Word (text copy only, no designs or layout)
- How should I set up my pictures, colors and fonts?
We require the following formats for images:
• TIFFs (do not use lzw)
• EPS
• 300 dpi or 1200 dpi for bitmaps
• Bleeds .125” / Gutters .25”
• CMYK: Convert RGB, Index images (convert Grayscale image to CMYK for richer black)
• Include all original images (do not store/embed images in file; & files must be linked)
• Convert all JPG’s and WMFs to TIFF or EPS
• GrayScale - Convert to CMYK, RGB and Index images
We support the following color options:
• Grayscale
• Duotone
• Pantone Matching System (PMS)
• Varnish
• Images must be CMYK. NO RGB (did we make that clear enough...?)
We require the following Font files:
• Postscript (type 1), both screen and printer files need to be included. Adobe Postscript fonts will work the best and have similar fonts on both the Mac and PC platform. Do not stylize fonts from your application font window. This means, don't choose Bold when you want to bold a word. Use a bold version of the font instead. Troublesome, maybe...but it comes out right.
- What should I do if my file isn't in one of your supported programs?
If we don't support the application your file was designed in (i.e., Corel Draw, Freehand, the dreaded Microsoft Publisher, etc.), please export your files as an EPS when applicable.
If you absolutely must create a PDF, please contact the art department at SuperRoller for instructions on how to create a press-ready PDF. PDFs not created to our specifications will be rejected.
- What're some overall "good prepress" tips?
• Color images look different from one monitor to another. Colors look different on the Mac and PC. The color output device may also show colors differently, and the final color print may not look exactly as the color proof from your home printer.
• Avoid using a digital camera, because the resulting print job may not be of the highest quality. If you must use digital photography, your image should be at least 3 times the size of your printed image.
Example: if you want a (4 x 6) 300 dpi print, multiply 300 dpi by (4x6). 300 x 4 = 1200; 300 x 6 = 1800. Your camera should be set to at least 1200 x 1800 pixels resolution. This is needed to produce a 4x6, 300 dpi quality print image.
• To avoid problems during the RIP process, do not embed bitmapped or other EPS images into any document. Always link images and provide the original files.
• Convert all image files to TIFF or EPS. Do not leave as JPG, WMF or PICT etc., because these are lossy compressions that result in permanent data loss, and are not print-quality files.
• Optimize your resolution. Image files should be at least 300 dpi. (300dpi = 150 lpi.)
• Always include all your fonts with every job, even if the job was previously printed by SuperRoller.
• For the best quality printing, provide transparencies or slides for High Resolution Scans. The larger the transparency (ie. 4x5), the better.
• Duotone-colors (names) must match both EPS color and color used in layout application.
• Do not use Microsoft products such as Office or Publisher for design or offset printing. Most of these products don't support the Pantone Color System, and color separation of documents is not possible.
• The newer versions of Illustrator give a lot of creative freedom, but beware of problems during the RIP process when using transparent layers and special gradients.
• Convert all text to outlines in Illustrator and to paths in FreeHand before linking to your layout document. Problems reading fonts sometimes occur during the RIP process.
• Do not send a logo embedded in a Word file. This file is not the original TIFF or EPS.
• To avoid additional costs, please be sure to set your document colors, set your knock out, set over prints, make sure graphic links are updated with current versions on disk, and all fonts are included. If file manipulation is required, we will contact you and a decision can be made on a plan for modification.
- How long does it take for you to complete my order?
It depends on how long it takes to get to proof signoff. Generally, we turn around projects in one week. Submit it to us Wednesday, get it next Wednesday or sooner.
Some jobs are very simple and are done faster. Examples would include a black flyer printed on house stock; or a 4-color sell sheet in a standard size with pleasing (i.e., not gallery-quality) color.
Jobs with a lot of proof corrections (ours or yours) will be delayed. Jobs that require stock that has to be ordered from the paper mill will be delayed.
With all that said, the SuperRoller team is used to producing complicated jobs quickly. For example, we turn around a newsletter for a certain client which is about 28 pages of full color and PMS colors in three days!
- Why do I need to look at a proof if I've already given you everything I need to have done?
We employ human beings to produce your work and, last time we checked, humans are not perfect. Your approval on the final proof is assurance that you have looked over every aspect of our work and approve it as accurate. It benefits everyone if errors are caught in the proofing process rather than after the job is completed and delivered.
Let us say it again: final responsibility for proof signoff is yours.
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