The Print Center, Inc.

IF YOU ARE DOING THE PREPRESS WORK ON YOUR PUBLICATION...

 

PROGRAMS – We can go directly from disc to film when work is provided in InDesign or Quark. (PageMaker is now an obsolete program, no longer supported by Adobe.)  Word-processing programs, such as Microsoft Word or Word Perfect are of limited value for reproduction.)

 

DISCS – We can work from just about any kind of popularly used disc – CD, Zip, floppy, thumb – as long as it’s correctly prepared.  Always double-check the disc to be sure everything is on it.  We also need a laser printout so we can be sure of the disc’s contents.

 

SCANS – If you are using scans, please ensure they are high resolution. Anything over 300dpi is acceptable, though 300dpi is the preferred resolution. You should also make sure the scans are the same size they will be when imported into the Quark, or Indesign file; for example, if you scan the photograph at 5” x 7”, the image should not be imported into Quark or InDesign at 8” x 10”, because then the image will lose some of its resolution. You can scan the image at 5” x 7” and import it as a smaller size: for example 3” x 4.5”. Save as a TIF or JPEG. If the job is 4-color, make sure the image is CMYK, not RGB. If the job is in black-and-white, save the image as grayscale. Doing your own scans saves you time and money, but remember this: Your work determines the quality.  We can’t change your scans; we can’t make them lighter or darker, bigger or smaller. 

 

FONTS – Include a separate folder with all the fonts you have used and a separate folder with all the scans you have used as well as the actual Quark or InDesign file. For Quark and PageMaker files, please ensure the fonts you provide are Post Script fonts and not True Type fonts. You can find out by going to the font folder; click “view” and “as list” and under description, it should tell you whether the fonts are PostScript or TrueType.

InDesign files can work with TrueType fonts.

 

COVERS – Make sure you provide a separate file for the cover. Do not include this with the actual text. If this book is to be saddle-stitched, you will not need to worry about a spine, but if you do have a spine, check with the Print Center to find out the width and then create the appropriate document. EXAMPLE: if your book is 5.5” x 8.5” and the spine is 1/8 inch, your measurements for the cover will be 11.125” x 8.5”. The front of the cover should appear on the right hand side, the spine in the middle and the back of the cover on the left hand side. Again, please include a separate folder for any fonts and images used. Reminder: Don’t include the cover as part of your page total; they print separately.

 

BLEEDS – A “bleed” is when ink appears to go right to the end of the paper. Actually, that’s not technically possible, so, to get the effect, one must extend the art 1/8 inch beyond the trim. After the publication is printed, the excess is cut away and the bleed is achieved. 

 

PREFLIGHT AND “PACKAGING” – InDesign has two special features called “preflight” and “package.” By selecting “Preflight”, you can check the job for any problems before sending to us. This feature will let you know if any fonts are missing, or if you have used any fonts you shouldn’t have, or if any of the images are RGB, etc. Once you have preflighted your job, you can “package” the job; i.e. InDesign will make a folder that collects all the images, fonts and files you have used for you to give to us on a disc. Some versions of Quark have this feature. You can find it in the “File” menu under “Collect for Output.”

 

SCHEDULE – If you need your publication by a specific date, such as a book party or a graduation exercise, be sure to let us know right away.  That will determine how we produce it – what press we use, what printing method, how proofs are handled, etc.  We take deadlines very seriously and are proud of our on-time record.  But please note that it’s very difficult to speed up jobs that are already in progress.

 

QUESTIONS – If any questions arise while you’re doing this prepress work, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.  You never have to take a wild guess.  We are eager to help you make your publication as good as it can be.