Setting Up Your Files:
Acceptable Files
Application Files Accepted:
- Adobe InDesign
- Quark XPress
- Adobe Illustrator (Not for interior layout. Please restrict to line art and single page documents, like logos, jackets, etc.)
- Or PDFs created from the application files listed above
Media Accepted:
- DVD
- CD
- Files transferred via FTP
Setting Up Your Files:
Font Guidelines
We recommend that you use Postscript fonts. They create fewer errors on the imagesetters. Some fonts get corrupted during transmission, such as burning on DVD or uploading via FTP. We recommend compressing fonts before submitting them. Include a list of fonts on the Prepress Checklist when you submit your job.
Avoid Pseudofonts:
Please do not create fonts which do not have a corresponding printer font. For example, in your layout program you can select "Helvetica" and then click a "Bold" style because there is a corresponding "Helvetica Bold" printer font. But if you select "Futura Heavy" and then apply a "Bold" style to it you will not get a bolder version of that font because there is no corresponding printer font.
We recommend that you select the font you want directly in the font menu rather than selecting the base font and applying a style. With large fonts that contain many weights, the latter technique can make your results unpredictable.
Setting Up Your Files:
Prepping Your Vector Illustrations
Output all the vector illustration files as EPS. Be sure to match the color names in these files to the names of the same colors in the layout software.
Illustrator Output Resolution:
Some versions of Adobe Illustrator allow you to raise or lower Adobe Illustrator's default output resolution. Don't adjust this setting. Lowering the resolution will result in poorly formed paths. Raising it will unnecessarily tax the imagesetter.
Converting Type to Paths:
Adobe Illustrator can convert type to outlines. Please only do this with type that is 32 point or larger. If you turn smaller type to outlines it can output with distressed edges.
Setting Up Your Files:
Prepping Your Bitmapped Images
The most important thing about preparing your image files is to capture the right amount of information. If your files are too small they appear blurry or pixelated. If they are too large they make the imagesetter work too hard or may produce a Postscript error.
Black and White Images:
- Scan all your black-and-white halftone images at 100% reproduction size and at least 300 DPI.
- Save lineart files as bitmapped images. If you save them grayscale, the edges may output with a halftone screen making them appear blurry or jagged.
Halftone Screen and Transfer Function:
- Avoid both of these functions when you create EPS files from Photoshop.
- We will apply the correct screen and transfer information when file is output.
Duotones in Four-Color Jobs:
- Photoshop can create wonderful duotone, tritone, or quadtone images, but please note that these will image using spot-color plates which will output in addition to your standard process ink plates.
- If your job prints CMYK, you can use these Photoshop functions to create a particular style of image and then translate them into CMYK so they will image on the appropriate four-color plates.
Duotones in Quark:
- Designers sometimes create "fake" duotones in Quark by placing a grayscale scan in a picture box and then filling the box with a color. This might look good on your monitor or when printed out on a desktop printer. However, when separations of this image are printed the image will knock out of the background color destroying the effect.
- If you choose to use this technique please alert us so that we can revise the production process to accommodate for this.
Setting Up Your Files:
Creating PDF Files
Here are the guidelines for repro-ready PDF files:
- Prepare single page PDF files (do not output spreads).
- Include crop marks on every page.
- Set bleeds to .125" (3mm) on all sides.
- Center your page images on the output sheet.
- Include high-resolution image data.
- Embed all fonts.
- Define any desired overprinting settings before creating your PDF file.
Two most frequently used page layout programs,
Adobe InDesign and
Quark Xpress, can both generate repro-ready PDF files without using the separate Acrobat Distiller program.
Settings for Adobe InDesign:
Select "Export..." from the "File menu"
Then select "Adobe PDF" from the "Format" pop-up menu
Then select "[Press]" from the "Preset" pop-up menu. This one selection makes the bulk
of the correct choices for you.
Be sure to leave the "Spreads" option unchecked so you will be generating individual pages.
Check "Crop Marks" and enter ".125 in" in the bleed section. If you click the link icon next to the first box InDesign will automatically fill the other boxes with the same value to produce an equal bleed on all four sides.
Settings for Quark Xpress:
Select "Export ->Layout as PDF " from the "File menu."
Make sure the "Spreads" option is unchecked and then click "Options."
Under "Job Options" make sure "Embed all Fonts" is selected. Leave all compression settings on "None."
Choose "Centered" from the "Registration" pop-up menu to generate crop marks. Then under "Output" choose "Symmetric" from the bleed type pop-up menu and enter .125 in the "Amount" box to provide an equal bleed around all pages.
Under "OPI" make sure "Include Images" is checked under both TIFF and EPS. Click "OK" and then in the main window click "Save."
Setting Up Your Files:
Printing Spectrum
The color reproduction process is designed to trick the human eye into thinking it is seeing more colors than are really there. Although skilled technicians and the latest printing technology is utilized in this process, it is physically impossible to match the colors of a transparency in proofing and the final printed product.
Note These Statistics:
- It is estimated that the human eye can see BILLIONS of colors.
- A computer monitor can display 16 MILLION colors.
- Photographic film can capture approximately 15 THOUSAND colors.
- A printing press can accurately represent about 5 THOUSAND colors.
The Importance of Viewing Conditions
The best way to achieve standard viewing conditions is to purchase a color-viewing booth. This will include a 5000° Kelvin light source with balanced color temperature in all parts of the spectrum, and the structure of the booth will control reflections from surrounding elements. Be careful to not make critical discriminations about color under office lighting conditions. Always take these materials to a color correct station. If your work area does not allow for a full color-viewing booth, consider a portable, tabletop version. |
Setting Up Your Files:
How to Submit Your Files via FTP
Contact your Asia Pacific Offset Sales Representative to get the Asia Pacific Offset FTP server location, login name and password.
Compress your files into a single archive. If you use our recommended software this will be a .SIT file on the Mac and a .ZIP file on the PC.
Download and install your FTP software.
Run the software and create a new connection by entering the server location, login name, and password. Save this connection as a "bookmark" or a "favorite" so you can use it again the next time you send files to Asia Pacific Offset.
After you have made the connection to the Asia Pacific Offset server, locate the archive you created in step 2 and transfer it.
If you are having difficulties logging in, disengage your firewall protection and try again.
Contact your Asia Pacific Offset Sales Representative to confirm the file was posted and confirm the file name.
