Electronic Prepress
·COMPUTER PLATFORM
The Apple Macintosh running MacOS (Macintosh Operating System) is
the primary platform to be used in the creation of electronic
graphic art files.
·PC FILES
The only PC files that are acceptable are those in which the
software is available cross platform such as Quark, PageMaker,
Illustrator, Freehand and Photoshop (save all CorelDraw files "as
Adobe Illustrator" format). Even then problems may arise such as
shifting or missing elements, type reflow and font
incompatibility.
In some instances PC applications may be able to export a
postscript (.prn) file that can be imaged to film but not edited
or viewed on screen.
·JARVIS PRESS FTP
Visit our FTP page for more information regarding this topic.
·EMAIL FILES
When sending files via e-mail it is best to compress the files for
quicker transmission using Encode the compressed files into
bin-hex (.hqx) format
.
·SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS
Use the latest version of software applications (although at times
it has been found that a previous version may do some functions
better than the newer version).
The three primary applications that are preferred by most
pre-press facilities and designers Quark XPress, Adobe Illustrator
and Adobe Photoshop (remember that many plug-ins and extensions
are available that greatly enhance the ability of these
applications).
The less preferred programs to not use are Adobe PageMaker,
Macromedia Freehand.
The native file formats of most word processing, spreadsheet and
database applications are not intended for legitimate professional
graphic arts production and therefore lack the technical
functionality needed to become working elements in the digital
prepress workflow.
·VECTOR/LINEWORK IMAGES
When working with fine connection points between line or elements
always zoom in to at least 1600% viewing to ensure accuracy.
Do not use hairline rules or zero point rules. These tend to be
problematic in the file and on the press.
·GRADIENT BLENDS/VIGNETTES
Expect Quark and Illustrator blends to band (or
stairstep).
To ensure smooth blends create them in Photoshop and apply a small
amount (3-6 units) of noise in order to randomly scatter and
break-up the bands. Gaussian blur may also be needed in
conjunction with noise.
·CLIPPING PATHS/MASKS
Avoid creating a mask by only using the magic wand in
Photoshop and making the selection a path.
Do not make irregular shapes in Quark XPress to mask images.
The safest bet is to have Mac operators at Jarvis create your
masks for you.
·BITMAP/RASTER IMAGES
The resolution for all raster images should be twice the
line screen when being used at 100% of the scanned size. (As a
general rule scan images at the actual percentage they will be
used and at a resolution of 350 pixels per inch)
When using a TIFF image in Quark XPress you must have a background
color - anything but "none". White is the most common background
color. If a "see through" effect is required make the file an EPS
with a clipping path.
·TYPESETTING
Be aware that when knocking out of a heavy solid
background color the serifs on small serif type will "plug-up" on
press due to dot gain and most likely disappear.
·FILE FORMATS
Do not "DOWNLOAD IMAGE TO DISK" via your internet web
browser and use these image directly for print production. Do not
send us JPEG anything! (Especially EPS files with JPEG compression
encoding).
·CLIENT VS. CONTRACT COLOR PROOFS
Color lasers, consumer market inkjet, Fiery and Rainbow proofs are
not accurate representations of final color and are therefore
unacceptable in interpreting your images at any point during the
design and printing process.
The only acceptable proof for judging color is a contract color
proof (either analog Matchprint from film or high-end professional
digital color proof) supplied by Jarvis Press our proofing
systems are calibrated to match our presses.
·FILE NAMING
Always name your files logically. (Example: instead of "fredsjob"
name the file "corporate brochure")
When submitting updated versions of a file append the name.
(Example: house, house v2, house v3, etc.)
If a file is CMYK do not use RGB in the file name and if the file
is RGB do not use CMYK in the file name.
If a file is High-Res do not use "Low-Res" in the file name and if
the file is Low-Res do not use "High-Res" in the file name.
·PAGE LAYOUT
If images touch trim, add 1/8-inch bleed beyond the trim of a
document.
Never start with a larger document and build your document within
that page and place manual trim and/or registration marks. These
marks are automatically placed upon output. (There are some
exceptions such as irregular die cuts and/or odd shaped folding
pieces)
Do not leave a thin frame or stroke along the trim of a document
for these are hidden from sight and will most likely appear on the
film when output (we understand why they are there but too many
times they bite us - lose'em)
·FONTS
Although True Type is now better handled by high-end RIPs we still
prefer that all fonts be Postscript Type 1 format. Truetype fonts
can be converted to Postscript Type 1 fonts via a simple 30 second
process using Fontographer.
·LASER PROOFS
Always send current version lasers.
Laser proofs are required on all submitted jobs. Preferably at
100% in both composite and separated form.
Proof your lasers for typos, spelling and accuracy before sending
the files to Jarvis.
·COLLECTING FILES
Along with the layout file (or mechanical) always submit
all fonts (both screen and printer) and linked graphics.
Only send us the files we need to image the job - no strays, extras
or build-ups.
·CONTRACT PROOFS FROM JARVIS
Any and all work must be proofed and approved by the
client before the job is plated for press. The designer and their
client must double check every element of the proof, sign the proof
and indicate "OK". Then return the proof to the sales representative
before plates will be made for press.
By reviewing and approving a proof you are saying "that the job is
elementally 100% accurate in all ways" and "that any and all
corrections from this point will be customer chargeable".
·COLOR MODELS
Converting RGB to CMYK in Photoshop 5.0 requires the specific
settings as follows: (Setting can be find by going to: File -->
Color Settings --> CMYK Setup)
When possible, work in CMYK mode and always convert any other
color model (or color space) to CMYK format for submission (BEWARE
OF RGB! - Bad things man, bad things.). A CMYK screen mix of a
Pantone spot color will never match the actual Pantone color. If
you require an actual match of a specific Pantone color you must
print with the Pantone ink.
·TRAPPING
Do not attempt to trap any files! Trapping is the sole
responsibility and function of the Jarvis Press. Attempts by the
client to trap files could possibly end up doubling or even
tripling pre-press production costs.
·CLIENT WORKSTATION
The following is a recommended configuration for a
professional design worksation (as of Decmber 1, 1998):
1. Apple Macintosh G3 333Mhz Mini-Tower
2. 384MB RAM
3. 20" Sony Trinitron Monitor
4. ixMicro Ultimate Rez Video Card
5. Iomega 100MB Zip Drive
6. Iomega 2GB Jaz Drive
7. UMAX Astra 1220 Flatbed Scanner (for FPO scans and line art)
8. Tabloid Size (11" x 17") 600dpi Postscript Laser Printer
9. 18GB External Hard Drive
10. 4x CD Recorder
11. Global Village Teleport 56K Modem
12. 17" x 22" Epson 3000 Color Postscript Printer
·TRANSFER MEDIA
The most popular, preferred and accepted transfer media are the
following:
1. Floppy Disk
2. CD/CD-R/CD-RW
3. 100MB Zip Disk
4. 1GB and 2GB Jaz Cartridge
5. External SCSI hard drive
The less often used and some not accepted are the following:
1. Any type of Syquest media (Syquest is dead - they rested on
their laurels)
2. Any type of optical cartridge
3. DAT, DLT, DITTO, EXABYTE, BERNOULLI
·SPECIAL TECHNIQUES
When wanting to create a deeper and richer black beyond that of a
standard single black ink we recommend using the following screen
mix: 40% Cyan / 30% Magenta / 30% Yellow / 100% Black.
When raster images are to be varnished, create the varnish as a
spot color channel in Photoshop and rename the spot color channel
to VARNISH (spot color channels will overprint by default).
·SCANNING
The more you enlarge an image from a transparency the less
desirable the results will be. A few hundred percent may be fine
whereas a few thousand percent will not.
Do not use a consumer market flatbed scanner or slide scanner for
final images! Flatbed scanners may be used for acquiring line art
but must be scanned at 1200 pixels per inch (ppi).
PhotoCD may yield unsatisfactory results.
High-end scans from service bureaus or other sources may require
clean-up and/or color correction.
It is best to have Jarvis Press scan images on our high-end
Crossfield and/or Heidelberg PMT drum scanners.
·TECH SUPPORT
If you ever have any questions regarding electronic pre-press
please call your sales representative and he will put you in touch
with a Jarvis digital imaging technician as soon as possible.
The following are links to useful web sites that you may need to
reference:
·Recommended Daily Macintosh News Links
Macintouch (www.macintouch.com)
MacCentral (www.maccentral.com)
MacNN (www.macnn.com)
Version Tracker (www.versiontracker.com)
MacFixIt (www.macfixit.com)
·Corporate Links
Chip Merchant (www.chipmerchant.com)
Adaptec (www.adaptec.com)
Iomega (www.iomega.com)
Umax (www.umax.com)
Agfa (www.agfa.com)
Epson (www.epson.com)
Microtek (www.microtek.com)
Heidelberg (www.heidelberg.com)
RealTimeProof (www.realtimeproof.com/rtphome/rtp.asp)
Sony (www.sony.com)
Apple (www.apple.com)
Adobe (www.adobe.com)
Quark (www.quark.com)
Macromedia (www.macromedia.com)
MarkzWare (www.markzware.com)
Netscape (www.netscape.com)
Microsoft (www.microsoft.com)
Global Village (www.globalvillage.com)
Extensis (www.extensis.com)
MetaCreations (www.metacreations.com)
Pantone (www.pantone.com)
LaCie (www.lacie.com)
APS (www.aps.com)
Hewlett Packard (www.hewlettpackard.com)
Tektronix (www.tektronix.com)
Kensington (www.kensington.com)
·Mail Order Hardware and Software
MacWarehouse (www.macwarehouse.com)
MacConnection (www.macconnection.com)
COMPUSA (www.compusa.com)
·Local Dallas Weather
The Weather Channel
http://www.weather.com/weather/local/75247
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