Prepress - Frequently Asked Questions

1. Page Layout?
2. How do I deal with my artwork?
3. What about bleeds?
4. What if I have upgraded my software?
5. How do I deal with photos?
6. Why do I have so many colors?
7. Do I need to send laser proofs?
8. What file formats can I use?
9. Can I cut and paste artwork?
10. Can I use vector graphics?
11. Are there any general guidelines?

Page Layout:

Always design your pages on single facing pages.

How do I deal with my artwork?

File Links: Remember that you create a link when you place a graphic file into a page layout file. If the name of the graphic file is subsequently changed, the link will be destroyed. All graphic files must be sent along with the page layout files. Even if you have an image embedded in a Pagemaker file, the graphic will not be available for editing, should the need arise, unless the graphic file is included as a separate entity.

What about bleeds?

Extend Bleeds: To ensure that you avoid leaks on the edges of pages designed for bleeds, the bleed area should extend at least 1/4 inch over the edge of your page in your electronic document.

What if I have upgraded my software?

Let us know if you've upgraded your software or hardware. We keep current on the latest design software, but it's best to be sure we have what you are currently using to prevent any production delays.

How do I deal with photos?

When scanning a photo for placement and final printing, a resolution of approximately 200 dpi will provide a high resolution scan from a flatbed scanner. When creating your own image files, there are several formats available. We support all of the common file types. When an EPS file must be used, such as for a silhouette created with a clipping path or for duotone. Use the single file EPS option. Do not use DCS format EPS files. When importing an image into Quark XPress, avoid making the picture box larger than the crop size of the image. The edges of an image often fade out, and this will produce an undesirable effect on your final printed piece. Always assign a white or 0% Black background to TIFF files imported into Quark XPress. It is a "Quark Quirk" for images with a None background to rasterize when output.

Why do I have so many colors?

In order for graphics imported into Quark XPress or Pagemaker to have the illustration file color output on the same plates as colors created in the page layout file, they must have the exact same name, including capitalization. If this isn't observed, the graphic and type colors will end up on two different plates, even if the exact same Pantone color is specified for both. For example, you have designed a document in Quark XPress using Black and Pantone 301. Your headings are in Pantone 301, and your body text is in Black. You have a graphic imported from illustrator designed in the same two colors. In the Illustrator file they are called black and PMS 301. After you import this file into Quark and output it to film or a laser printer, you will get 4 printing plates: black, Black, Pantone 301 and PMS 301.

Do I need to send laser proofs?

For preview, proofing and special instructions, laser prints of a job are an excellent tool for customers to review many aspects of a job prior to submitting it to Eagle Web Press. Moreover, the lasers, marked up with your comments where appropriate, can be of invaluable assistance to us in preparing for production and should always accompany the job. Laser proofs should be output as follows:

• Sized at 100 percent of the finished piece.
• Printed from the latest versions of all files.
• Marked to show color breaks (please send a laser proof for each separated color, or at least a color laser comp)
• Noted with instructions for graphics, bleeds, etc.
• Noted with instructions for important issues such as crossovers, silhouettes or ghosting.

What file formats can I use?

Several formats are available to you in creating graphics, but generally they will be either bitmap or vector files. The two most commonly used image file formats are TIFF (bitmap), which stands for Tagged Image File Format, and EPS (vector), which stands for Encapsulated Postscript. It is important to know the implications of using bitmap or vector files in illustration and image editing applications. A bitmap image is composed of tiny on-screen or printed dots called picture elements or pixels. Each pixel in the image is treated as an individual object. TIFF files are bitmap files, which are generally easier to place because of the superior quality screen resolution. A vector image is one complete object and is treated as such. Although an EPS does not necessarily have to be a vector image, if an image is a vector, or contains a vector, it must be saved as an EPS. For example, a silhouette created with a clipping path must be saved as an EPS. When a bitmap is printed or enlarged, the edges of the image may appear jagged. When a vector image is printed or enlarged, the image maintains a high resolution. This means that EPS images composed of vectors can be manipulated without losing resolution, but TIFF images cannot.

Can I cut and paste artwork?

Avoid cutting and pasting illustration files into the page layout document. The graphic may look fine on the screen and even on a laser print, but there won't be enough information for an imagesetter to reproduce the image at high resolution.

Can I use vector graphics?

EPS files should always be supplied for vector graphics. EPS files come with the color information needed for output, and are completely compatible with the Postscript language used by most imagesetters. Include Native Application Version of EPS File: Any file in EPS format should be accompanied by the same file in its native format, so that trapping or color specification changes, if necessary, can be readily made. Some versions of Adobe Illustrator and Aldus Freehand and all versions of Corel Draw do not allow changes to EPS files because they can't open them.

Are there any general guidelines?

1. Include Screen and Printer Fonts: Both screen and printer fonts should be included on the Mac, or .PFM and .PFB files on the PC. Be assured that the fonts you supply will only be used on your documents.
2. Caution - True Type: Avoid True Type fonts whenever possible.
3. Menu Styles: Do not use menu styles, as the Rip will not support them. They are known to be unstable and incompatible with Postscript Level 2 RIPs
4. Hints for Pantone Graphs: If you're looking to specify Pantone colors in graphs, your computer skills may be put to the test because many of the current graphing programs don't support it. There are two ways to circumvent this shortcoming.
5. Check for Unwanted Colors: Be certain that you don't leave extra colors you don't intend to have printed within your page layout or illustration files. Quark and Pagemaker have "delete color" functions and Adobe Illustrator has a "remove unused colors" command that makes it easy to double-check. In addition, laser separations are a great way to make sure that no extra colors have slipped into your document, such as a Pantone you want to match in process or a process color that was supposed to be spot color.
6. Avoid Yellow Angles: The yellow screen angle should not be used in duotones, tritones, blends or screens containing one, two or three colors. Not only is the yellow angle the least desirable of the four screen angles, it will cause a moire effect if combined with only one or two other inks. For better results, use the cyan, magenta and black screen angles whenever possible.
7. Thin Knockouts may KO registration: Remember that thin knockouts from process inks (e.g.: tiny type or rules of less than a half-point) may cause registration problems on the press.