Graphic Image Files
What is the difference in formats?
TIFF is the best quality. This should be used for saving photos and line art. Use Photoshop for a logo if it is to be output as CMYK for digital or traditional 4 color process printing. Never create a Pantone colored logo in photoshop.
EPS (Encapsulated Postscript) or Vector creates smooth line art when saved from illustration software such as Freehand or Illustrator. If you are creating a multi-colored Pantone ink logo or graphic, this is the software and format in which to create it. In Photoshop only use this format for duotones and items that have a clipping path. An EPS image from Photoshop creates a higher memory file.
PDF (Portable Document Format) is a specialized kind of PostScript file that contains all the information needed to reproduce the document with all fonts and graphics intact. It is a final page format to be used when Windows and Mac software can't be converted. All fonts need to be open, all graphics and photos need to be linked to the correct files, and the correct file used when making a PDF. Provide a printout, all color, fonts, attached graphic and photo information in case of an error.
JPEG is a lower quality. This is only used for the web. If you use a digital camera to take photos the image will be a JPEG. This is ok. See JPEG Conversion for details.
GIF is only used for a web site. We do not accept GIF files because they do not convert to clean images for printing.
NEVER SAVE PHOTO FILES AS BITMAP IMAGES!!!
If you can't convert your Windows image to a Mac format, we can do it for you. There is an hourly charge depending on how many images need to be converted.
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Why use a PDF?
PDFs contain generic information about photos and vector graphics, but they also contain the font files themselves. This means that most of the time you can print from a PDF on any printer and not have font substitution problems. However, not all PDFs transfer properly. Preparing your PDFs correctly will help make them more portable.
How do I make a PDF?
1. Create your pages in any application.
2. Configure PostScript printer driver with the "Acrobat Distiller" PPD file.
3. Generate PostScript file with embedded fonts.
4. Convert into PDF using "Distiller".
5. Check the PDF file in Acrobat Reader.
6. Transfer the PDF in the manner you choose (burn to disk, email, etc.).
PDF CHECKLIST
• Set correct document size.
• Turn on registration for crop marks.
• Use PostScript Type 1 fonts if possible.
• Avoid TrueType fonts.
• No electronic font modifications bold, italic, shadowed, contouring, etc.).
• Scan images in correct resolution (take scaling into account).
• Crop images in an image editor.
• Do not use hairline rules.
• Do not build frames using four lines, draw them using the frame tool.
• Tint areas: min. 5%, max. 95%.
• Delete unnecessary elements.
• Delete blank pages.
• If necessary, define page bleed.
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Scanning
A general rule for scanning is: if you intend an item to be larger than the original size of the image scanned, always scan it larger than the finished size expected. A reproduction scale can help you with this. They are available at the Craft Barn and most art supply stores. They are simple to use, but we can show you how to use it. Or, a simple rule is to take the new size and divide it by the original size.
Scanning Photos or Slides
Photos should be scanned at 300 dpi and saved as TIFFs. Slides may need a higher dpi of 600-2400 depending on the quality of your scanner. Slides should not be enlarged more than 300-400% on flat bed scanners. If you need a high-res enlarged CMYK scan, the scan should be sent out to be done on a drum scanner for best quality. Note: all scanners tend to add an over-all red or blue tone to your scan. Sometimes it is hard to tell if your image is color correct because all monitors have different color settings. Digital color proofs are available to check your files at a small cost. This cost is included in the quote if the job is to be printed on the digital press. When scanning or converting to grayscale use curves to adjust your photo: first make a middle point and adjust your middle tones, then set highlights to 4-8% for the whites, next set your shadows to 87-94%. This will give you a dot pattern in all areas of your photo.
Original high quality artwork or images larger than 8" x 10"
For best results, we send out these items to be scanned as a high-res file on a drum scanner. Maximum size is 18" x 24" and must be on a bendable paper. If it is a larger size or on a non- bendable or too thick a paper, a slide must be taken first at an additional one-time cost. The scanner service we use for drum scanning has a 99% success rate with our client's scans. A match print is provided to approve your scan. At no additional charge shadows can be lightened, the scan kept bright and clean, remove over-all cast colors or sharpen your image. There is an additional charge for cleaning spots or scratches or other image correcting.
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Line Art or Logos
Always scan as a bitmap or line art mode for better quality. Depending on the complexity of the line work, you should scan at 400-1200 dpi. Most scanners also provide you with a threshold level. A higher threshold level will provide finer detail in the image, though watch the memory size of your file. Try different settings and test print your image to see what your final image will look like. Save the files as a TIFF format, not JPEG. If you save these type of files as a halftone they will print a dot pattern in the text, and may be fuzzy or unclear.
Pre-printed photos, or other items with screens
All items have a dot or line pattern in them. You can see this through a magnifying glass. They all need to be scanned with a de-screen mode. The higher the better. Always check and print out a test copy. Sometimes if the de-screen mode is wrong you will get a fuzzy picture. If they are not de-screened, they will print with a moray pattern.This means that crossed dots or square will print in a muddy or blotchy appearance.
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Converting Images
Digital Camera Conversion
Most times your image will be a large sized 72 dpi image. You will need to upgrade the image to 120 to 300 dpi in 30 point increments depending on the quality of the photo taken. The next step is to use your scaler tool and physically reduce the image closer to the final size it should be printed. This will give you a better quality image. RGB needs to be changed to CMYK. Re-save it as a TIFFfile. Be careful if you sharpen the image. Sometimes the image will need to be lightened through adjust levels, brightness/contrast or curves.
Converting a color photo to grayscale
When a file is converted from color to grayscale or RBG to CMYK the image may darken. In Photoshop the image will need to be lightened through "adjust levels" or "brightness/contrast." The best way to adjust your tone values is using curves, after the conversion to grayscale. In curves, first make a middle point and adjust your middle tones, then set highlights to 4%-8% for the whites, next set your shadows to 87%-94%. This will give you a dot pattern in all areas of your photo.
Trapping Colors
Graphics or logos need to be color trapped in the original graphics file. Please call us first (1-800-427-5582) to help you with trapping colors; it will be different depending on the software used.
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Fonts
PostScript or TrueType fonts?
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Printer font icons |
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Screen font icon |
A PostScript font was developed to allow type to be printed clearly at any size on a PostScript printer. There are two parts: a suitcase (screen font) and a printer font (outline). Both parts must be present in order for the printer to print the document correctly.
TrueType
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Truetype font icon |
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Inside the Truetype suitcase |
The difference is that for a TrueType font you do not need a printer and a screen font because the information needed to print your font is on one file. TrueType fonts have the same suitcase icon as PostScript screen fonts, but they have no printer fonts associated with them, and inside the suitcase, the font files have three As on their icon, as opposed to one A in a Type1 font.
Downeast Graphics & Printing, Inc. prefers PostScript Type 1 fonts to print your files correctly. Most output services do not accept TrueType fonts because they tend not to be readable by the out-put devices and may default to Courier.
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