Digital Specifications

Your Graphics Software
Print Masters can accept artwork files that are generated from the following programs:

• QuarkXpress
• Adobe Illustrator/Macromedia Freehand
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe PageMaker
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Acrobat (PDF)
• CorelDraw

Your Document
From whichever of the accepted programs you decide to create your artwork, you should set up one document for each artwork title you are ordering. The document size of your file is the final trim size of your printed product.

Please run spell check and review all content before submitting file. Do not include images, text, graphics, etc. on the pasteboard that are not part of your final document.

Rich Black (C-0 M-0 Y-0 K-100) should be applied to larger fills of black or font sizes greater than 28pt in black to ensure a dense color.

• Convert all spot colors to process
• Remove all unused colors from your document’s color palette

Your document must provide bleeds if colors, images or graphic elements go to the edge of the page.

• For bleeds, you must extend the artwork 0.125" (1/8th inch) beyond the final size

• A text/content margin of 0.125" (1/8th inch) must be applied within the final size.

* Important text or graphic elements should remain within this content margin. If these elements are outside of this margin, there is a possibility that they may be trimmed off during the machined finishing process. Print Masters cannot be responsible for mistrimmed artwork or text if they do not meet these specifications.

Your Images

Scanning Images
If you scan any photographic images, you should scan them at a minimum 300 or 350dpi (dots per inch) and at the actual size you intend to print them. All scanned images should be submitted as CMYK images in EPS or TIFF file format.

Line Art
Line art images should be scanned at a minimum 600dpi (1200dpi preferred) and at the actual size to be printed.
• Do not embed images as this will hinder our ability to troubleshoot your document.
• Linked images must be supplied as TIFF, EPS. Do not supply the following formats as links: JPEG, PICT, BMP, GIF, Scitex CT, DCS, EPS w/JPEG compression
• Resolution Requirements: 350dpi at bleed size for CMYK and Grayscale images, 800dpi for bitmap images
• Process color jobs (CMYK color model) must include CMYK images only. Do not submit RGB images

Your Fonts
• Supply all fonts used in your document
• We recommend only Postscript Type 1 fonts; include both the screen and printer font components of your postscript fonts.
• Truetype fonts may be supplied, but we cannot guarantee their integrity in our systems
• Avoid using fonts styles (such as underline, bold, shadow, italicize, etc.) if possible, as not all styles will print properly
• Do not submit multiple master fonts

Program Specific Issues
These application specific guidelines are in addition to general product guidelines.

QuarkXpress - 3.3 and up

• Link all graphic files
• Remove all unused graphics and text from pasteboard and master pages
• Avoid using text formatting in control panel; bold, italic, shadowing etc.
• Check usage and update all graphics prior to saving document
• Spell check your document prior to saving final version of your document

Adobe PageMaker - 5.5 and up

• Link all graphic files (do not include complete copy when placing files)
• Remove all unused graphics and text from pasteboard and master pages
• Remove all unused colors from color palette
• Avoid using text formatting in control panel; bold, italic, shadowing etc.
• Check usage and update all graphics prior to saving document
• Spell check your document prior to saving final version of your document

Adobe Illustrator/Macromedia Freehand - all versions

• Do not submit any Illustrator 7.0 files. Save as Illustrator 6.0 instead
• Create document in CMYK color mode
• Make certain gradient colors are based on CMYK colors
• Link all graphic files (don't embed images)
• Remove all unused graphics and text from pasteboard
• Check usage and update all graphics prior to saving document
• Spell check your document prior to saving final version of your document
• Convert text to outlines prior to saving final version. When you do this with all text elements it will be unnecessary to include all fonts

Adobe PhotoShop - all versions

• Make document size equal to bleed size, example business card portrait 3.75w x 2.25"h
• Build documents in any color model, convert to CMYK prior to saving
• Flatten all layers prior to saving as tif or eps
• When using a clipping path, save as eps and assign path as clipping path
• Delete all unused layers channels and paths prior to saving final

CorelDraw - 8.0 and up

• Do not use Corel color palettes, make certain you use CMYK colors as you build your document
• Avoid using text formatting in control panel; bold, italic, shadowing, etc.
• Check all files used in document prior to saving for CMYK color mode
convert artistic text to curves