IMPORTANT INFORMATION

SEND YOUR ARTWORK
FORMAT & GUIDELINES

We have the latest professional level software, design and prepress equipment ready to handle your project. If you have any questions prior to sending your artwork, please call our Design Department at 610-391-0600, ext. 18.

Design Department:
Email artwork files under 3 MB in size to art@printconcepts.com

PrintConcepts FTP Server:
Call for assigned username and password
ftp.printconcepts.com


Native Applications We Support
Adobe InDesign CS 3.0
Adobe Acrobat PDF 8.0
(Must be "Press Quality", see below instructions)
Adobe Illustrator CS 3.0
QuarkXpress 7.0
Adobe Photoshop CS 3.0
Adobe Pagemaker 7.0

Additional Applications
We can accept the following application files if they are created in the proper format for the intended printing process.
Microsoft Publisher
Microsoft Word (for digital printing only)

Accepted Media (Macintosh and PC)
Email, FTP, CD, DVD, USB removable drive, 100/250/750 MB Zip or 3.5" floppy. Please compress all your artwork into a single file (.zip or .sit) before sending it.

Collect for Output
Put all the necessary files into one folder for output. Be sure to include all fonts, images and artwork.
Do not use special characters (i.e. @!#%) or extremely long file names.

Document size
Your document's page size should be set to the final trim size of your printed piece. For example, if your single sheet is trimmed to 8.5" x 11" then your document size should be set to 8.5" x 11".

Bleeds
If your layout is designed to include an image, graphic or text that bleeds off the edge of the piece, remember to leave 1/8 inch (.125") for any image, graphic or color that bleeds off the edge. Do not change the size of the document, just drag the text/graphic box over the edge of the document.

Images and resolution
All images must be in CMYK (not RGB
, index, or bitmap) color mode. Images must be saved in either TIFF or EPS format (do not use JPEG, GIF, BMP or any other formats). All images/pictures should have a minimum image resolution of 300 dpi. Bitmap files should have a minimum resolution of 600 dpi.

EPS graphics
(Vector Based) Convert all of your typesetting to paths (or outlines) when saving EPS graphics from Illustrator. This will minimize potential font problems during the processing of your file.

Linked images
When sending native application files, provide all external image files. Be sure to update your links in the layout files whenever you alter any of the original images. Many programs, such as QuarkXpress, have a feature called "Collect for Output" which can help you gather your fonts and images.

Fonts
Remember to include all the fonts used in your document. This includes both the Screen and Printer files for PostScript fonts. Also remember to include any fonts used in any linked EPS files. DO NOT use the 'type styles' provided by your layout application (such as 'Bold', 'Italic', 'Outline', etc.) Use the specific font to accomplish your desired 'type style'.

Layout/supplied printout
Please include a 100% original sized printout with your file. You may supply us a PDF composite with your native file(s). This allows us to compare your printout to your artwork after we have preflighted it.


HOW TO MAKE A PRESS READY PDF FILE

Adobe® Acrobat® PDF files can be an ideal format for supplying your press ready digital files. PDF files can be made to include all fonts and high resolution images.

However, PDF files made with the standard settings will not provide adequate resolution for printing most jobs. It is important to have the proper settings specified under "Job Options" in Acrobat Distiller.

To make the settings task easier, we have created a "Job Options" file which you can download for your Acrobat application.

Download our PDF job option file

On a Mac:
1. Hold down the control key as you click the "Download Now" link below. Select "Download Link to Disk" from the pop-up menu, and download the file into the Acrobat Distiller "Settings" folder.

2. Now launch Distiller, and select "PrintConcepts" in the Job Options list. That's it!


On a Windows PC:
1. Right-click the "Download Now" link below, and select "Save Target As" from the pop-up menu. Download the file into the Acrobat Distiller "Settings" folder, usually located at C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat\Distiller\Settings.

2. Now launch Distiller and select "PrintConcepts" in the Job Options list. That's it!

7046 Snowdrift Road | Allentown, PA 18106-9274 | Phone: 610-391-0600 | Fax: 610-391-9898
Copyright © 2008 PrintConcepts. All rights reserved.