Answers to common Graphic File questions…
How to Set Up Your Documents So That Your Printer Won’t Hate You
Read the article How to Set Up Your Documents So That Your Printer Won’t Hate You to get a number of important tips for properly preparing files for submission to JC Printing.
What are the basic guidelines for submitting artwork?
If at all possible, save or export your file as a 300dpi PDF to upload. Carefully review your PDF file before uploading, ensuring all of your fonts, graphics and formatting have been captured correctly in the PDF.
What file formats do you accept?
We accept most native electronic file formats. We also accept PSD, TIF and EPS image files at 300dpi. Some JPG files are acceptable at 300dpi if saved at maximum quality.
What if the file format I have is not listed? I want to send an InDesign file.
If you are uploading a native (non-PDF) file, please include all the files we need to produce your job: page layout files, imported images, fonts and other support files. This is often referred to as pre-flight and packaging a file.
What color mode should the file be built in?
Use CMYK color to set up your print file. We will convert RGB color to CMYK for printing using standard conversion values which may not yield the colors you are expecting.
How should I set up files that utilize spot or Pantone colors?
If you are using spot colors, your files need to have the same color names in the final output document. For example, Pantone 300C in a placed logo, Pantone 300U in a colored box and Pantone 300CVU as a font color will print as three separate plates (three separate spot colors instead of one.)
How can I ensure that no important text/imagery will be removed in cutting? What 'margins' should I use?
Text must be at least 1/8″ inside of the trim line on all sides.
I do NOT want a white border of any kind around my page? What size bleed is required?
If the design of your page goes all the way to the edge, please continue your artwork 1/8″ over each edge that your design or background bleeds over. Make sure this bleed is exported WITH the file!
Are there any special considerations when laying out a book/catalog?
If your project is a book or catalog, leave a gutter (a gutter is the space between the text and spine of the page) between folded pages. Book margins should be at least 3/8″ on all edges of a page. A 3/8″ margin on each page will make the gutter 3/4″.
What fonts can I use? Are there any special considerations when choosing a font?
Outline all fonts when working in Photoshop or Illustrator, embed fonts in other programs and flatten all layers.
Always choose the appropriate font face from your font menu and avoid clicking the bold or italic buttons. Though they may look fine on screen, and even print correctly on a laser printer, if you don’t actually have a bold face available in your font menu it will not always come out bold on your final printed piece.
Are there any special considerations when laying out a file that will be run on the Press?
Create traps if your design includes areas of directly adjacent or overlapping spot colors.
Is there a limit to the file size you'll accept?
If your files are large (above 30MB), use WinZip on a PC or Stuffit on a Mac to compress all the files into a single file for uploading. If your files are extremely large (250+ MB) please contact us prior to sending.
Can you help me with some of this?
Yes! If you have any questions call us at 602-955-8130 or click here to email us before uploading.
