Our Guidelines for Art Submission: Making it Work with Print Mailers
Supported Software (MAC or PC, including older versions)
Note that Print Mailers does not support Microsoft Publisher or Microsoft Word. We charge extra if conversion from any of these formats is needed.
Supported Media:
- 100 MB Zip
- 250 MB Zip
- DVD
- Compact Disc
Supported Fonts:
- Adobe Type
- Type I
- Any Postscript Fonts
Note that Print Mailers team does not support some TrueType fonts and Multiple Master. Unsupported TrueType fonts will be replaced with the closest postscript version.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All files we process from the PC platform will come with substituted fonts. This can result in text reflow. Please use fonts with a Macintosh counterpart, i.e. Adobe, Letraset, House Industries, etc.
Supported File Formats:
- Native file formats from the above-listed applications.
- EPS, PDF, TIF. All other formats will be converted to any of the preceding formats. Print Mailers does not support .gif or .wmf files)
NOTES:
Our general electronic job workflow is:
- Indesign, Quark or PDF – Create or Preflight
- Nexus Rip/Trap – B&W Laser Proof, Epson Color Proof, or PDF Proof Preps Impo – HP
- Fuji CTP Plating System
Files built using FreeHand, Illustrator, or Photoshop are placed in Indesign or Quark before being RIPped.
Guidelines for 4 Color Artwork:
- Convert images and all spot colors to CMYK.
- Save Photoshop tiffs without performing the LZW compression.
- Save Photoshop EPS with their Preview: Encoding: Binary and Macintosh (8bit/pixel)
(Avoid JPG Compression, Halftone Screening, or Transfer Functions on EPS)
Guidelines for Spot Color Artwork:
- Use consistent naming conventions across all programs. (Watch for CV, PANTONE 123 C, CVC, CVU).
- Opt for a PANTONE match for colors like GREEN, BLUE, RED, etc. Remove unused spot colors from files.
- All colors should be set to their respective spot colors. They should separate properly while running separations.
Submitting Your Art:
- Submit composite and separated lasers.
- Supply all fonts used: printer and screen fonts.
- Provide all graphics: embedded and linked files. This helps RIP ensure proper trap and output.
- Provide all project specs such as dimensions bleed information, version information, color designations, folding instructions, and the number of files, file names, etc.
- You can send files via EZ Order, FTP, and email. Still, you have to fax all fonts and graphics. Compress all your files using Stuffit or WinZip before sending.
Print Mailers Output Specifications/Recommendations:
- All plate output at 175 dpi/2400 dpi.
- Recommended image file size: 200 dpi at the final output size.
- Preferred resolution: 300 dpi at 100% final output size.
- Recommended line art height: 1200 dpi
- Set all documents to the final trim size.
- Bleeds: 1/8″ minimum
- Avoid attribute “buttons” for type effects, like Bold, Italic, Outline, or to flip graphics. These effects do not work well for the final film output. Instead, use the font’s bold and italic versions.
- Rotate images in the software application used to create them. For outline or shadow, a manual drop shadow or path type will work.
Note that all of these instructions and guidelines are based on our experience. These may vary slightly based on your project needs.
If anything feels confusing, you can contact us to discuss our art submission guidelines. Note that all of these instructions and guidelines are based on our experience. These may vary slightly based on your project needs.
If anything feels confusing, you can contact us to discuss our art submission guidelines.