PDF files are a very convenient and accurate option for printing your job. Please follow these tips to ensure that your PDF file will work without errors.
To create a PDF file, first create a postscript file in your layout program. Be sure all settings are chosen for Press Quality. Then, in Adobe Acrobat Distiller, distill the post script file using Press Quality settings.
Don’t forget to:
All images should be set at AT LEAST 300 DPI. For even better quality, set your images to 400 DPI. We print all jobs at 200 line screen, and as a general rule, image resolution should be twice the line screen. Please be aware that images below 300 DPI may print at poor quality. If you are using images from the Internet, please be sure to check that they will be large enough at 300 DPI for accurate printing.
Always make your page size the size that you would like your finished flat document to be. For example, if you are designing an 8.5 x 11 two-sided flyer, make your page size 8.5 x 11 and pull the bleeds out over the edges of the page. If you are ganging up several versions of something, such as business cards, please check with us for the best way to send files before you start your project. Typically, the best method for both designer and printer is to have each card in its own separate page. We’ll take care of laying it out for press.
If your printed piece has images or other items that go to the edge of the page, you must provide enough image or color that will bleed off the page so that no white paper is revealed when we cut the job to its finished size. This is simple to do by making sure that your images and areas of colors expand at least 1/8 inch over the document size.
If you are creating anything more then a single-sided brochure or sheet, such as a booklet, catalog, magazine, or multi-page brochure, the best way to provide the file is in finished page size in the order that you would read the book.
For example: If you are designing a 24-page magazine in QuarkXPress that folds to 8.5″x11″, your document size should be 8.5″x11″ and the first page in the page layout should be your cover, then inside front cover, page 1, page 2, etc. We also ask that all pages including the cover are included in the same document. This helps avoid confusion and possible errors when printing your job.
INSTRUCTIONS: We require all job instructions in writing. Our Proposal lists the detailed specifications for your job, and the quoted price, so if your final job spec matches the Proposal, simply confirm (a short email works great!) and we’re good to go. If for any reason your job does not match the Proposal, we will inform you of any price adjustments in writing. During production, for AA’s or your changes that create extra charges, we will make every good-faith attempt to communicate these as incurred, and get your prior approval.
FILES: If your file is only a few megabytes in size, we are happy to accept files via email or ftp. Our FTP link accepts files up to 100Mb. Files above 100 MB can be transferred electronically through We Transfer or burned to a CD or DVD and sent to us. A detailed list to help ensure your job will print accurately can be find in our Pre-Press checklist section. Below are a few basics to remember.
We are happy to handle the complete production of your job from printing to delivery. Typically, all we require for a direct-mail campaign is an excel spreadsheet of the recipients, formatted to our specifications. Please contact us before starting your project so we can discuss options that will best meet your needs.