File Preperation

File Preparation

For your convenience and best results, please refer to the following guidelines when preparing electronic files.

Please feel free to call (210)-333-1711 or Fax (210)-337-1132 or Email mmayfield@lithopress.net anytime with questions, suggestions or advice.

File Preparation:
File Format: Please submit your files in their native application. We have nearly all Desktop Publishing applications for both Windows and Macintosh. If you submit PDF files to us they must be PDF/X-1A compliant. Please note: there is an additional charge for files created in Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Publisher.

Document Size: Set page size to the same size as the document's final trim size. There is no need to set crop marks. (example: Do not create a 5 1/2" x 8-1/2" document on an 8-1/2" x 11" page, but a 5-1/2" x 8-1/2" page).

Spreads: Set up multiple page documents in reader spreads using pages set to a final size. Reader Spreads allow us to impose the document correctly and to add creep if required. It will also ensure crossover elements align correctly. (example: an 8.5" x 11" saddle stitch book should be set up as two 8.5" x 11" abutting and not as an 11" x 17" page).

Bleeds and Margins: Allow 1/8" for bleeds and a minimum of 1/8" margin for critical type and images.

Fonts: Include all fonts used in your document. PostScript fonts require both the screen - or suitcase font and the PostScript Font. Most applications include an option to automatically gather, organize and verify the fonts used in your document. Consider using a font utility such as FontAgent (Windows and Mac Versions available). Please be advised, converting fonts to outlines in drawing applications will make it impossible to make type corrections!

Graphics: Link graphics, do not embed.

Color Profiles: Embed the color profile you used when you save your Photoshop documents. Never use the Photoshop EPS option "PostScript Color Management" because it modifies the PostScript data sent to the output device and modifies the color values.

Color Modes: Submit your files in CMYK Mode. If you prefer your RGB photos converted to CMYK using our Lookup Tables, please let us know when you submit the files.

Spot Color: Keep colors as spot colors only if you intend for them to be printed as spot colors. Pantone changed their conversion tables in 2000. Applications released after 2001 will convert colors differently than releases dated prior to 2001. We use the most current released applications.

Bitmap Images:
TIFF's are the preferred format for Photoshop and Photopaint images.
Only use EPS if the file has clipping paths or is in a Duotone or DCS mode

File Transfer:
Uploading files: You can upload your files directly to our server using an ftp client or your web browser.

Please call us to set up a Secure FTP Directory especially for you with instructions on uploading your files.

There are several FTP clients you can use. BBEdit has its own FTP client. Click here for more FTP applications.

Proofing:
Pantone Proofs: Our Pantone Proofs are not contract color proofs. They are a simulation of the spot colors/duotones printed as four-color process. How the job will print on the press will vary.Only about a third of the Pantone colors fall within the CMYK color space. Actual color tones, densities, and contrast may vary when the colors print on the press. Pantone colors also vary in dot gain. The display you see in Photoshop applies the black curve, as well as displaying the monitors RGB colors as a simulation of the Pantone color. The digital proof uses the curves of the CMYK profile.We will print the Pantone colors to the densities specified in the Pantone swatch book. We have little control as to how the final images and colors will appear on the paper selected for this job. Any color adjustments will be at the cost of the customer.For further information on this, please refer to the Pantone Color Standards Formula Guides - Designer Edition .