Acceptable File Formats

Preferred File Formats	Printing File Formats	Web File Formats
StuffIt Archive (.sit)	Adobe Acrobat PDF (.pdf)	Graphic Interchange Format (.gif)
StuffIt X Archive (.sitx)	Encapsulated Poscript  (.eps)	Joint Photographics Experts Group (.jpg)
WinZip Archive (.zip)	Tagged Image File Format (.tif)	Joint Photographics Experts Group (.jpeg)
	Tagged Image File Format (.tiff)	Native Flash File (.fla)
		Flash Movie (.swf)

File Upload Specifications

Design and Production is prepared within the Mac OS. Files that do not confirm to any of the specifications stated below may reproduce with unexpected results, cause delays, or extra charges.

QuarkXPress (v6.5): (preferred page layout application)  Collect for Output including all linked images and fonts. (We do not accept Quark v7.0 files at this time. We can accept v4.X and v5.X files.)

Adobe Acrobat PDF (v6):  Properly created high-resolution PDF's are acceptable. To create a PDF, we recommend first printing to a postscript file and then using Acrobat Distiller v6.0 with the required CMYK settings to generate the PDF. We do not recommend using "Save As PDF" directly from the application as this may reproduce with unexpected results.

For detailed information about creating compliant PDF's, we recommend visiting the Ghent PDF Workgroup website. In the Application Settings section, you will be able to download the required settings for your production environment. Our Studio uses Acrobat Distiller v6 with the Version 3 (2005) SheetCmyk settings on the Mac.

(It is important to note that an Acrobat PDF file is a sealed and locked file format. Making any changes can be extremely difficult and time-consuming without the original native files the PDF was created from. For this reason, we suggest supplying the native files and all required assets including fonts and images with the final PDF.)

Adobe Illustrator CS (v11):  EPS or PDF files are preferred. All placed images must be embedded or supplied. Fonts must also be embedded, supplied, or converted to curves. Native Illustrator files (.ai) require them to be opened to create a PDF or saved as an EPS, and may result in extra charges. (We do not accept Illustrator CS2 or CS3 files at this time.)

Adobe InDesign CS (v3):  PDF files are preferred, but native InDesign files (.indd) are also acceptable. Before uploading native files, you must Package the file (gather the files you've used, including fonts, linked graphics, and a customized report with any Printing Instructions). To Packaging a file, choose File > Package. In the Preflight dialog box, click Package. Fill in the printing instructions and continue. (The filename you type is the name of the report that accompanies all other packaging files). It is required to select the following: Copy Fonts (Roman Only) to copy all necessary font files, not the entire typeface; Copy Linked Graphics to copy linked graphics files. Linked text files are always copied; and Update Graphic Links in Package to change graphic links (not text links) to the package folder location. Failure to Package a file correctly will cause undesirable reproduction, delays, and may result in extra charges. (We do not accept InDesign CS2 or CS3 files at this time.)

Adobe Photoshop CS (v8):  EPS or PDF files are preferred. TIF files are also acceptable when saved without LZW compression. Native Photoshop files (.psd) require them to be opened to create a PDF or saved as an EPS, and may result in extra charges. (We do not accept Photoshop CS2 (v9) files at this time.)

Macromedia Freehand (v10):  EPS or PDF files are preferred. All placed images must be embedded or supplied. Fonts must also be embedded, supplied, or converted to curves. Native Freehand files (.fh) require them to be opened to create a PDF or saved as an EPS, and may result in extra charges.

PageMaker:  Files must be converted to QuarkXPress, saved as EPS, or a PDF created prior to submission. If submitting EPS files, include all linked images and fonts. (We do not recommend using PageMaker as Adobe is replacing this application with InDesign.)

Office applications:  Page layouts created in applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, etc. are not acceptable. PDF files must be created prior to uploading.
See Adobe Acrobat PDF requirements.

File Naming:  All file names must include the appropriate file extension (FILENAME.XXX). Files supplied without the appropriate file extension could result in damaged or corrupted files.
Read more about the required File Naming Conventions.

Fonts:  Postscript fonts (Type 1) are preferred. Both the printer and screen fonts must be supplied. OpenType fonts are also acceptable. TrueType fonts are not recommended and could reproduce with unexpected results. Please convert truetype fonts to postscript fonts prior to uploading if possible. With Illustrator and Freehand files, convert all fonts to outlines or select “Include Document Fonts” when saving EPS files to embed the fonts. Photoshop files with fonts must be saved as EPS and the “Include Vector Data” option selected. If this option is not selected, Photoshop will rasterize all type. See Adobe Acrobat PDF requirements for font specifications.

Color:  If your upload is to be reproduced in 4-color process, be sure you select the CMYK color space when creating your files. Spot Colors and RGB values will be converted to CMYK and may result in unexpected color shifts. The maximum ink density is 290% (approximately 75% each of CMYK).

Resolution:  Color and Grayscale images should be no less than 300ppi at final size. A 300ppi image enlarged 200% in a page layout will result in a final image resolution of 150ppi. A 72ppi image must be reduced to 25% in the page layout to achieve a final resolution of 300ppi. Line Art should be scanned at a minimum of 1200ppi in bitmap mode and saved as either TIF or EPS.

Proofs:  Color Proofs are required to be submitted for all uploads. Two types of proofs accepted. The recommended proof is a high-resolution digital halftone proof that is SWOP certified. From SWOP certified proofs a close color match at press can be achieved. The second type is a dye-sub, laser, or inkjet proof. These types of proofs only confirm the content of the files supplied but will not match ink colors on press.

Media Accepted:  CD • DVD • 250MB, 100MB Iomega Zip • 128, 230, 640MB Magneto Optical Disk

E-mail:  Attachments of 3MB or less are acceptable. However, we recommend uploading all files through our Client Area to ensure delivery and receive a confirmation of the transaction. Color proofs are also required for all files delivered by e-mail.

Extra Charges:  All file uploads are processed through a series of preflight tests to ensure the files conform to the specifications stated. You will be notified if any of the files provided can not be used for imaging directly to plate. It is highly recommended that all file uploads be complete and ready for imaging. File modifications may not be possible due to system differences, compatibility, or unsupported file types. Any changes to text, images, or layout (if possible) may involve extra charges and cause schedule conflicts or delays. Additional charges may also be incurred for modifying or converting files, scanning, color-correction, or configuring files for proper color separation.