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EMAIL PROCEDURES

Requirements / Templates / Software / Checklist

These procedures help ensure proper printing of your files. Laser separations allow us and you to catch incorrect colors, font problems, etc. These procedures protect both of us from the common problems that cause late and incorrect orders.

OUR REQUIREMENTS
One-Color
A laser printout showing position

Two or More Spot Colors
A composite laser printout showing position
Laser printouts of each separation; knock-outs included; no trap

Duotones/Screen Builds
A composite laser printout showing position
Laser printouts of each separation; knock-outs included; no trap
Printed product final color will not be negotiable unless you send film and a matchprint.

4-Color Process
A composite laser printout showing position
Laser printouts of each separation
Color proof
If no proof is provided, we will run to standard ink densities.
Printed product final color will not be negotiable unless you send film and a matchprint.

TEMPLATES
To ensure proper size and positioning of copy, we encourage you to access our templates. Following are instructions on how to download templates from our site.

1. In your browser, click here after you have read this section.
2. Click the download "All Platforms" link.
3. Choose the location to save the file and save.

SOFTWARE
Acceptable programs (Mac & PC) include Illustrator, QuarkExpress, Pagemaker, Freehand, Photoshop, and InDesign. If you are using CorelDraw please export your files as Illustrator files. Make sure your spot colors do not convert to process upon exporting. Files set up in programs such as Microsoft Word or PowerPoint will not be usable, as these are not graphic art/prepress programs.

CHECKLIST
Are the files Macintosh or Macintosh compatible?
Please refer to information under "Software," and be aware that we cannot guarantee the usage of any non-Mac files (especially fonts).

Are all fonts provided?
All fonts used in all files should be sent. We need the Printer Font and the Screen Font. Failure to provide all fonts will slow down your production. E-mailed fonts should be compressed before sending. NOTE: PC Truetype fonts are often unusable. If we receive PC fonts that are incompatible (Truetype or Type 1) we will first try to convert them to Mac Type 1 fonts. If this doesn't work, it will be necessary for you to resend them.

Are all original files provided?
We occasionally encounter file problems that we can fix for you; however, we cannot fix your files if you don't send them in an editable format. For example, if you embed a tiff in an Illustrator file, we cannot manipulate the tiff in any way. These situations cause your productions to be delayed while we wait for you to fix and resend the files. (Sending original files does not guarantee that we will be able to fix any problems.)

Are all images colored correctly?
Four-Color Process: All colors must be converted to process (CMYK).
Spot Colors: Orders requiring spot colors (PMS® colors) must be sent as spot colors, not as process. One-color files do not have to be colorized (black is fine). All colors must be named correctly (e.g., do not use "Red" in one file and "Pantone 185" in another; these will separate as two different colors). Photoshop files cannot be saved as RGB or CMYK on spot color orders.

Are laser separations provided?
If they are not provided, we will fax laser separations of your files to you for confirmation of copy only. This service will incur a $20 fee.

*Please limit file size to 20 megs or less. If file is larger send on disk.

Incorrect files will delay your production until we can either fix the problem
(indefinite delay which may incur extra costs) or you provide us with correct files.