General Guidelines

  • Did you include ALL fonts used in your electronic file?
  • Include both screen and printer versions of the font. Do not use styles palette to bold or italicize fonts.
  • Did you include all graphic files?
  • All graphics should be in their native software. – Duotones and files with clipping paths must be submitted as EPS.
  • All four-color images must be submitted as CMYK, NOT RGB
  • Photographic Images must be at least 300 dpi and saved as Tiff or EPS
  • Graphics pulled off of the internet are low-res and should not be used.
  • DO NOT embed images in your layout program – it increases file size and makes it hard to detect possible problems.
  • Did you remove all fonts and graphics not used in your file?
  • Removing un-used items from your pasteboard will eliminate the possibility of them being used in error.
  • Did you define spot and/or process color correctly?
  • Set full-color jobs to process color and spot color jobs to spot color.
  • Watch for duplicate instances of the same color being used within your file.
  • ALWAYS keep black text 100% black, not rich black
  • Did you define YOUR PAGE SIZE AND bleeds correctly?
  • Design all artwork to your final trimmed page size.
  • Make sure all bleeds extend over the page by 1/8” (.125)
  • All art and text with no bleeds need to be at least 1/8” (.125) from the edge of the page.

PDF Preparation Checklist

  • Do not over compress the file – It is better not to compress if possible.
  • Embed all fonts.
  • Apply a 1/8” (.125) bleed on document.
  • do not include marks, color bars or page information.
  • do not allow any color conversion.

Acceptable File Formats

  • Adobe Indesign, illustrator or photoshop
  • Quark Xpress, freehand and pdf
  • if designing in any microsoft programs such as word, publisher, etc., please save as a pdf before providing your file to us.