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Preparing a File to Print

Preparing a Quote

Digital Prepress Checklist

Digital Prepress Checklist (PDF)

Preparing a digital file to print?

We know preparing your file to print is a time consuming process. We at Copy King want to ensure that your document gets produced as quickly as possible. Consequently, we’ve put together some helpful information you can use when preparing your files. Following these guidelines will help you avoid additional charges, time delays and frustration.

Pre-Flight

The process of ensuring your file is prepared properly to print is commonly called pre-flighting. Pre-flighting is simple and doesn’t require very much time. We want to make sure that when your files get to Copy King they are ready to print. Consequently, we’ve included some information on this page to help you in preparing your documents.

Most major applications can preflight your document for you. Look on the application menu bar for “file / preflight”, or “file / prepare for service bureau”, or “file / collect for output”. Preflighting checks your document for any potential problem files or fonts.

The two most common errors are: 1.) RGB files that have not been converted to CMYK 2.) fonts not included.

Once you preflight your file(s) you can, “package”, “collect for output”, or “pack and go” and your application will gather all the necessary files for your document and put them into a folder, ready to print.

Programs we support

We can accept files in both Macintosh and PC (windows) platforms.

PDF Files
To avoid potential problems and delays, our recommendation is for you to submit a high resolution PDF File. Created by Adobe Systems, Portable Document Format (PDF) are cross platform files that can be opened on either a PC or Macintosh computer. Creating PDFs properly will save you time and money.

Various methods can be used for creating PDF files but they are not all acceptable for high-resolution output. For example, avoid using Acrobat PDF Writer. These files are not created for print production purposes.

Create PDFs either by printing to a postscript file and then processing the print file through Acrobat distiller or by printing directly to the Acrobat Distiller print driver. When in Acrobat Distiller select job options. You will be able to select either screen, print, or press as the print option. Please select press. This option provides the highest quality print production. In case of problems, sending the native file with the PDF file is also helpful. As always, if you need additional help in setting up your file, please call us at 216.861.3377.

PLEASE REMEMBER

Fonts
Please include all fonts to be used in the document, both PostScript and True Type. Embed all fonts and subset fonts when the percentage of characters is less than 100%. Avoid using style attributes such as bold and italic. Instead, pick the font that has the attribute you need. For example, pick Times Roman bold or Helvetica Italic. Select point sizes at 7 point or higher.

Graphics
Include all images and make sure they have been created for high resolution output for the best reproduction quality. A high-resolution scan can be saved as a TIFF, EPS or JPEG file (300 dpi). If possible, avoid using images from the Internet, as they are low-resolution and do not reproduce well.

Page Size
Use standard size pages: Black and White and Color, 8.5x11, 8.5x14, 11x17; Color Only, 12x18

If the finished product is smaller than 8.5x11 we will run it on an 8.5x11 page, perhaps multiple-up if appropriate, and then cut to size.

Bleeds
When creating files with graphics or backgrounds that you want to bleed off the trim edge of the page, allow an extra 1/8 inch from the trim size. Remember, when a document does not bleed off the trim edge there will be a ¼ inch white space around the page.
Screens: Select screens at 15% or higher.

Screens
Select screens at 15% or higher.

Rules
Select a minimum of .35-point rule. Avoid using hairline rules.

We strongly recommend sending us a hard copy sample of your document along with your file.

File transmission Methods
We can accept files saved to: Floppy Disk, CD, Zip 100 or 250

E-Mail
You can e-mail your documents to sales@copy-king.com, provided they are no larger than 3MB. Files should be compressed. Remember, a good quality high-resolution file can be compressed without jeopardizing the quality.

We recommend e-mailing files that are 3 MB or less. If the file is larger, please choose another method.

Please call us at Copy King once your files have been transferred (216.861.3377).

FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
Files over 3 MB should be downloaded to our FTP site. Electronic files are transmitted over the Internet by converting the file to a unique format that is recognized by all FTP client software packages. By standardizing the conversion and file transfer method the chance of error is greatly reduced and the files are received quickly. Files should be compressed prior to transfer. A good quality high resolution file can be compressed with out jeopardizing the quality.

In an effort to avoid any missed file transfers, please call us at Copy King when you are sending us files either by e-mail or our FTP site.

Please call us at Copy King once your files have been transferred (216.861.3377).

Hard Copy
Copy King can also scan in your hard copy originals.

For your convenience, we’ve included a Digital Prepress Checklist that should help you in creating your files.

At Copy King we value our customers. We strive to meet all our customers’ needs and provide them with exemplary customer service. As always, if you have any questions in creating a document or sending us a file, please call us at 216.861.3377.

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Preparing a Quote

When you are calling us for a quote, we will need the following information:

1. Number of copies. How many do you need?
2. Number of Originals. How many pages in your document? Remember, a double-sided page counts as two originals.
3. Color or Black and White. Is your document being reproduced in color or black and white? If it's a combination, we will need to know how many pages of each.
4. Single sided or Double sided. How many pages in the document will be single-sided and how many will be double-sided.
5. Paper Size. We have three options: 8.5 x 11, 8.5 x 14, 11 x 17, 12x18 for color only.
6. Paper Stock. Hundreds of paper stock options are available. Certain stocks are much more expensive. Standard stocks usually are 20# for single-sided, 60# for double sided and 70# for color copies.
7. Binding and Finishing. After the document has been reproduced we have a host of options to bind and finish. Please go to Services and scroll down to Binding and Finishing for all options.

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Digital Prepress Checklist

To help guide you in the design process and to ensure that your files are output correctly, we have developed the following "checklist" of specifications. Copy King has the latest technology available in digital reproduction. The checklist is designed to help speed up the reproduction process and avoid unnecessary charges.

Medium for file transfer:
Zip Disk, CD, 3.5 Floppy, Electronic Transfer (Send A File)

Transfer Method:
Email ( up to 3 MB): Send to sales@copy-king.com
FTP : See our Send A File page for details and instructions.

Programs we support (Mac or PC):

• QuarkXpress®
• InDesign CS®
• PageMaker®
• Illustrator CS®
• Photoshop CS®
• CorelDraw®
• Freehand®
• ImageReady CS®
• Enfocus Pitstop®
• Publisher®
• Word®
• Powerpoint®
• Acrobat®

File Organization:
Document (only documents applicable to the job)
Fonts (all fonts used in document and images)
Images (all linked images)

Documents
Documents set up in single page
All bleeds are 1/8" minimum
Keep copy at least 1/4" away from final trim

Fonts
The fonts used in the document are the same as those used in the proof
Both the printer and screen fonts are supplied

Images
All images are CMYK - Do not use RGB
All images are Tiff, EPS, or Jpeg (High Resolution)
Images should be sized, cropped and rotated in the application program
Resolution for color images must be between 266 and 300 dpi
Delete unused colors
Do not use "hairline" rules. Use specific width such as 0.35 points

Customer Provided Proofs
PDF or Hardcopy

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