Preparing Your Artwork
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Device independence may be PostScript's single most significant feature in that it affords cross-system file compatibility to a broad range of output devices. As a printing model, PostScript describes in detail each element of the page, down to the pixel level, so that the output device, or printer, can print the pixels on the page. The number of dots or lines per inch available to the printer determines the printing resolution of the page. Because the same PostScript data can be sent to output devices of different imaging capabilities, PostScript is said to be resolution-independent as well as device-independent. There are certain limitations and compatibility problems in the PostScript language. Such compatibility conflicts can be caused for example, by a PostScript interpreter, running on a specific processor, in a specific operating environment. If such problems are encountered, the PostScript program cannot be executed by the interpreter, and a PostScript error will be generated. Sometimes, PostScript language files can be edited and problems corrected. The accuracy of the reproduction depends upon a number of factors. These include resolution (the number of pixels, measured in dots per inch, which the output device is capable of reproducing) and addressability, or the degree of accuracy of the output device in sizing and placing the individual dots. |
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Type 1 Each Type 1 font has two separate parts, a bitmapped, screen portion (that appears in your menu and on your monitor screen) and an outline printer font (that the output device uses to create the font on the finished document). Both screen and printer fonts must be installed. They must reside in the same folder, if not the computer will not see the printer font. A message will appear on the screen, when printing, saying that the printer font is missing. A PostScript interpreter (RIP) takes an outline and rasterizes it. A Type 1 font can be printed in whatever resolution the output device can produce. Type 2 There is no such thing as a Type 2 font. It was a proposed font technology that was abandoned early in its life. Type 3 Type 3 fonts can be more ornate than Type 1 fonts. Type 1 fonts use a hinting technology that was not originally public information, so no other vendor could create a real Type 1 font, although anyone could use the PostScript language to create Type 3 outlines. When Adobe Systems made their proprietary hinting techniques public, all type vendors began converting their Type 3s to Type 1s. Very few vendors create Type 3 fonts anymore. Type 3 fonts have several disadvantages: they take up more disk space then Type 1, do not print well at smaller sizes, take longer to print, and ATM cannot rasterize their outlines. TrueType Fonts TrueType is a scalable font technology developed by Apple. As with PostScript fonts, TrueType uses a mathematical outline to describe characters. TrueType fonts appear smooth on the screen at any size, and they print smooth to any printer, PostScript or non-PostScript. TrueType Fonts do not have separate parts. The screen information and the printer information is contained in one file. Type 1 versus TrueType People that use type extensively and professionally, or who are involved in graphics, use PostScript printers, ATM, and Type 1 fonts. High-end output service bureaus prefer PostScript Type 1 fonts. People who have PostScript printers, for any reason, can use either TrueType or Type 1 fonts, but it is generally preferable and more reliable to use PostScript font technology (Type 1) with the PostScript printer. People whose only involvement with type is to get words on the page, and do not have PostScript printers, can be very happy with TrueType. It is not recommended to mix Type 1 and TrueType fonts in one document. ATM (Adobe Type Manager) ATM is a utility software that rasterizes the outlines of Type 1 PostScript fonts. What this means is that ATM gets the outline and rasterizes it into dots - but instead of doing it in the printer it outputs dots to the screen. So your type on the screen appears almost as smooth and clean as it does from the printer. Since it rasterizes the outline, it does not work with resident fonts where the outline is stored in the printer. Special Note On Mac Fonts! When sending us Mac Fonts please send them on a Mac disk. We require the actual Mac Resource fork to properly capture the font. If they are simply copied to a disk or CD the Resource Fork does not come through. |
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AI Native Adobe Illustrator file format. Vector based image file, may also contain embedded bitmap image files. AI files may be exported, via Adobe Illustrator, into a variety of file formats. TIFF or TIF The Tagged Image File Format (TIFF) is the most commonly used format and one of the most flexible formats. A TIFF is always a bitmapped graphic, also called a raster graphic, but it is not limited to 72 pixels per inch. It can be bi-level black-and-white; it can be a grayscale with up to 256 levels of gray; it can be a 24-bit full color image. Another strong point for TIFFs is that they are the most platform independent graphic; that is, TIFFs created on Macintosh machines can be used on DOS, Windows, NeXT, Sun and Silicon Graphics workstations. EPS The Encapsulated PostScript file format is used to export files to page layout programs. It was originally developed to be used in object oriented PostScript graphics. You can save an EPS file as one composite file of RGB or CMYK images for output directly to color PostScript printers. CDR Native Corel Draw file format. Vector based image file, may also contain embedded bitmap image files. CDR files may be exported, via Corel Draw, into a variety of file formats. PHOTOSHOP (PSD) This format is the default format used in Adobe's PhotoShop image retouching program. You can use the PhotoShop format in a number of different color spaces from one to 32 bits. In most cases you can not use this format in a page layout program. RIFF The Raster Image File Format is the default format of Fractal Design's ColorStudio program. In most cases, you would not use the RIFF format in a page layout program. JPEG or JPG JPEG stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group and is a graphic file format used for compressing large, color image files. JPEG is considered a lossy compression scheme because you don't get back exactly the same image that you compressed - some graphic information gets lost along the way, depending on how much compression was applied, the image itself, and how many times you have compressed the file. PICT PICT is Apple's internal format that is intended as a standard format for images in the Macintosh environment. The PICT format originally was only a one-bit-per-pixel format, but was later modified to include up to 32 bits per pixel of color information. TARGA The TARGA or TGA format was designed for and is a standard for programs using Truevision TARGA and Vista video boards. Primarily used in the IBM PC world, this format is useful if you plan to transport your images into PC systems . |
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Users utilizing the MAC platform must be conscience of the Windows naming conventions. The MAC does not require a file 'extension' as Windows requires. Supply an extension to your MAC file name so we may convert your file properly. Listed below are some of the standard Windows file extensions: 
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Try to minimize the nesting of EPS files. Printing an EPS file within another EPS file increases the chance that the file will not RIP correctly in PostScript. Nesting EPS files also creates linking problems between applications that may cause unpredictable results. Beware that placing scanned images inside an object-oriented EPS file can sometimes crash the RIP, causing problems similar to nesting EPS files. |
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CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black) refers to the process of producing full color printed images. There is a separate piece of film created for each of the colors, which in turn are used to create four distinct plates for the press. When creating a full color document be sure to include Registration Marks outside the image area. Most full color documents are designed to be run on oversize stock. The extra stock will be trimmed away to complete the finished piece. The extra stock area is utilized for the Registration Marks and Color Bars. Spot Colors refer to distinct ink colors. The industry standard are refered to as PMS colors. PMS (Pantone Matching System) was developed years ago to allow printers around the world to universally define colors. For each Spot Color used within your document, you will require a separate piece of film to be created. Unlike the CMYK process, the Spot Colors you use will not blend to create the full color effect of CMYK. You can 'screen' the Spot Colors. This will allow you to use percentages of the Spot Color ink. For example, you could set your type at 100% of the spot color and put a 10% screen of that same color behind that type. |
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1. Fonts PostScript fonts generally output better than TrueType fonts. When sending Illustrator files, be sure and convert all type to outlines. In Corel Draw, convert the fonts to curves. This will eliminate the chance of a font substitution. For all other files, send along the fonts used within the publication. Special Note On Mac Fonts! When sending us Mac Fonts please send them on a Mac disk. We require the actual Mac Resource fork to properly capture the font. If they are simply copied to a disk or CD the Resource Fork does not come through. 2. Placed Files Be sure to send along all source files for placed graphics. For full process color jobs, convert all bitmap files to CMYK. RGB files will only output the black plate, resulting in a grayscale image. For the best result with bitmap images, ensure a resolution of at least 300 DPI. 3. Hardcopy of Output Provide a color or black and white proof of the file to be output to film. This shuld be provided at 100%. A reduced image could cause scaling problems further into production. 4. Fifth or Spot Colors Provide additional proofs for all spot color separations and/or additional inks to be used in the final production. 5. FPO's Clearly mark and/or indicate all FPO's (For Position Only). |
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To create the required PS (PostScript) file, simply download the appropriate PPD's / drivers for your operating system. The files can be found on our Download page. Create a PDF file from your application software. Please be sure to embed all fonts. |
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Overview Any files you wish to send for use with your project should include all fonts you've used. Without the proper fonts, results can be unpredictable. Remember, Type 1 fonts are preferable over True Type. Send any and all graphic files used in the document. This may assist in determining any problems that may arise. Any full color images must be converted to CMYK color space to ensure proper color separation. Microsoft Word Many clients use Microsoft Word to create their 'artwork'. Some will design elaborate full color documents. They can print these to their color printers all day long. When they bring this file to us, for mass production, they are shocked to find that the file is un-useable. Microsoft Word will not generate color separations. Microsoft Publisher Microsoft Publisher provides a wide variety of 'theme' color combinations. Be forewarned, using these colorful themes will position your document into RGB color space. This equates to CMYK for reproducing on a printing press. This is one of the most costly forms of printing. If you are looking for a two or three spot color document, be sure to define your color space before starting into the major design task. Adobe Illustrator Any AI files sent for film output must have all the type 'converted to outlines'. We cannot convert to outlines on our end unless we have all fonts used within the document. Also, be conscience of the color being used within the document. To test for more colors defined then intended, go through the print dialogue boxes. Look at the Separations area. See how many colors are really defined. Corel Draw Any CDR files sent for film output must have all the type 'converted to curves'. We cannot convert to curves on our end unless we have all fonts used within the document. Also, be conscience of the color being used within the document. To test for more colors defined then intended, go through the print dialogue boxes. Look at the Separations area. See how many colors are really defined. Macintosh Special Note On Mac Fonts! When sending us Mac Fonts please send them on a Mac disk. We require the actual Mac Resource fork to properly capture the font. If they are simply copied to a disk or CD the Resource Fork does not come through. |
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