File Prep Instructions
We find that most graphic design programs will write a good pdf, save a high resolution CMYK pdf. From newer Adobe programs give us X-1A pdf's, which flattens the layers. Check your pdf carefully to be sure it has been written correctly! For PhotoShop we would tell you not to send us a pdf, because there is really no reason to make a pdf out of a bitmap file.
Images in your designs should be between 72 and 100 dpi in the size they will be printed. If your print is going to more than 48" in either dimension, set it up at half size.
If you want to send us the native file:
Photoshop- Flatten your image and send us RGB tif files, set up to actual size and at 72-100 dpi resolution. LZW compression on tif files is lossless and will make them smaller when you upload them. If you have control over the color profile associated with the file, use sRGB. Some photoshop effects do not survive flattening, and you can send us the psd file if needed.
If you really want to send us a jpg, make it the highest quality you can. The lower quality jpg you make, the less vibrant the color.
Quark- Collect your file for output and then stuff the folder so we only have one file to deal with as it comes in. Quark also make a good pdf, be sure you give us the highest resolution pdf it will make.
InDesign- Package your file for output and zip or stuff the file. We really like pdf's from InDesign!
Illustrator- Save as an EPS and convert your type to outlines.
Freehand- Convert your type to paths and send us all linked images as well as the fh_ file.
CorelDraw- Convert your type to curves and send us the cdr file.
PowerPoint- We can generally achieve great results from PowerPoint. One common concern is that it will not let you set a page size larger than 56" in either dimension, so set things up at half size if they need to be larger, i.e. set up a 48x72 poster at 24x36. We'll print it at 200%.
There are a number of cross-platform issues with PowerPoint, in particular the PC does not like PICT photos from the Mac. Caution is advised if you are collaborating on a PowerPoint poster across platforms. It is sometimes easier to have your colleage look at the jpg that it generates.
Publisher- Do not set up pages larger than 30x40. If you need something larger than that, set it up at half or quarter size and we will expand it here. Publisher allows you to set up larger pages, but it cannot address printer dimensions that large.
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