Preflight Tips

CMYK:
  • All Photoshop images using process color should be in CMYK Mode, not RGB or Index.
  • The min/max resolution for CMYK image files is 300 pixels/inch at 100% of output size. If you must scale, do not enlarge above 30% in InDesign.
  • If you enlarge an image on your page layout the effective resolution for that image will decrease, so place all images at 100% of the output size. This applies to all bitmapped image formats.
  • Acceptable file formats include: EPS, TIF (no compression) & PSD. (JPG will work, but suffers from lossy compression. See below.) No PNG files please.
  • Note JPEG is a "lossy" file compression format, meaning that in order to make a smaller file size some of the image data is removed resulting in a slight loss of quality.
LINE-ART:
  • Save black and white pixel based (Photoshop) line-art as a Bitmap Tiff or EPS.
  • Minimum resolution for line art files is 600 to 1200 pixels/inch (ppi) at 100% of output size.
GRAYSCALE:
  • Continuous tone images of a single color should be in grayscale mode, not RGB or Index.
  • The min/max resolution for Grayscale image files is 300 pixels/inch at 100% of output size.
  • Note: Images copied off of websites or downloaded from the internet are generally low resolution (72 ppi or less) and RGB or Index color. These images are created for quick downloading and are only intended to be viewed on screen – not printed.
SPOT COLOR:
  • When using InDesign check "All Spots to Process" in the Ink Manager if you do not require Spot Colors in your job.
  • Spot color files are best saved as Monotones, Duotones or DCS-2 (CMYK + spot color) in Photoshop.
  • The min/max resolution is 300 pixels/inch at 100% of output size.
PAGE LAYOUT:
  • Build document page size equal to final page trim.
  • Verify that no blank pages, unused colors or unused pasteboard elements are left.
  • Confirm bleeds extend beyond the page by 1/8 inch minimum (if required).
PREFLIGHT:
  1. Build your documents in Readers Spreads not Printers Spreads.
    • Create your files as single pages.
    • Start your file with the Cover and end the file with the Back Cover.
    • Our team will impose your pages into the correct imposition for our presses.
  2. Make sure the final dimensions of the document are set to the finished trim size.
  3. Check Bleeds.
    • If your files contain elements that come to the edge of the document it must bleed off the page a minimum of 1/8 inch.
  4. Remove unused text or graphics from the pasteboard of your document.
    • Blocks of text or images that are left on the pasteboard are the most common cause of missing font and image messages.
  5. All rules must be at least .25 points.
  6. Document color mode must be set to CMYK and not RGB (applies to Illustrator & InDesign).
  7. Don't use Registration color, use Black.
    • Remove all unused colors from color pallets in your files. Use the "Select unused colors" from the color palette.
  8. Always use BLACK for small text, not a CMYK build of black or the Registration color. This helps eliminate registration problems on press.
  9. Use Rich Blacks on large solid areas.
    • Create a custom color swatch using Cyan-60 Magenta-40 Yellow-40 Black-100% and apply it to large black graphic elements and large text to create deep black solids on press.
  10. Include all fonts used in your files by using the Package feature in InDesign.
  11. Include all images.
    • Make sure all images are incorporated with your file including embedded images in your image files (example: Photoshop images placed in an Illustrator file).
DIGITAL ONLY:
  • If using a special color that is critical, it can be left as PMS spot color.
  • For best results use RGB images for digital only.