Offset printing help: Desktop publishing file preparation guidelines for brochures, newsletters, catalogs

Below is a list of general file preparation instructions. If you follow these instructions most of your file problems will go away!

Either Mac or PC based files are fine.
Documents should be created in Quark Xpress, InDesign or PageMaker.
Raster images created from PhotoShop. These should be at least 300 DPI at the size they will be used in the document. Please do not use LZW compression on PhotoShop images.
Vector images created from Illustrator.
If you are using InDesign it is a good idea to flatten your PhotoShop images before placing them into InDesign. This speeds up the production of the proofs.
If you are using InDesign, it helps if you use the built-in flight-checking and collection feature.
If you are not using InDesign, please ask about our free flight-checking program. This program will flight-check your files, collect and compress them.
Please provide an accurate hard copy of the entire document. We output laser proofs prior to the final proofing stage. We compare our laser proofs to your supplied hard copy so we can provide you accurate final proofs and help keep the project on track.
Process images and elements should be in CMYK, not RGB
Spot PMS colors should use spot color designations. Screens of these colors should be designated as screens. Please do not create a new color for a screen of a PMS.
Black elements in black
Include all fonts, both printer and screen versions where applicable
Please do not apply styles (bold, italic, etc.) to fonts. Select the proper font, i.e. Helvetica Bold
Please include 1/8" extra on all sides if an element is to bleed
Please include an accurate hard copy
Rules should be at least .25 points thick
Quark 6 now allows the placement of PDF files as images. This has proven to be problematic, often with unintended results. Please convert the files to EPS files and then place the EPS files in Quark.

What's New
iGen Digital Press
Dramatically increase the effectiveness of your marketing efforts. Economical full color, short run press with variable data.
Use Word, PowerPoint, Publisher with Confidence
Create print-ready PDF's on-line for free.
New Services!
We now offer high-quality hot-leaf stamping, die cutting, embossing & thermography
MetalFX
Create over 1,000,000 metallic colors using CMYK and silver.
Spot UV
The most dramatic contrast between gloss and dull available on a printed piece.
Co-Res Screening
300 LPI printing and new screens come closer to continuous tone than ever possible before.
Remote Proofing
Now available in two-page spreads so you can follow page-by-page.