Recommended File Standards
- For InDesign and Illustrator we prefer that you send us both PDFs and the packaged native files. We will generally use the PDFs but we like to have the native files in case there are any problems with the PDFs or we need to make corrections.
- When making PDFs from Adobe applications, use the Press Quality setting. If your piece bleeds, go to the Marks and Bleeds tab and set both the bleed and the marks offset to 0.125″.
- If your piece bleeds, extend the bleed at least 0.125″ beyond the page edge. Keep non-bleeding art and type at least 0.125″ from the page edge. We prefer a 0.25″ safety margin.
- Image files should have an effective resolution between 200 and 300 ppi. Bitmapped images file should have an effective resolution of at least 600 ppi.
- Art should be CMYK (not RGB), grayscale, or PMS colors. If using spot colors please use the standard names from the application.
PHOTOSHOP USERS:
- Save your file as a PSD or a Photoshop PDF with the Press Quality presets.
- The file should be 300 ppi.
- If the piece bleeds, the canvas size should be 0.25″ larger than the final size (the Photoshop file for an 8.5″ by 11″ piece with bleed should be 8.75″ by 11.25″).
- Black type should be 100% K, 0% C, 0% M, 0% Y (Photoshop will default to 90% K, 75% C, 68% M, 67% Y, DO NOT USE THIS). Set the layer to Multiply or Darken.