Pre-press Common Questions
Q: What platforms and applications do you support?
A: Our prepress department can use files from both Mac OS and Windows platforms. We support all standard applications, including QuarkXPress, Adobe InDesign, Adobe PageMaker, Illustrator, Freehand, InDesign, and FrameMaker. Avoid using Microsoft Publisher, PowerPoint, Word, and Corel Draw, as they can be problematic in the imagesetting environment. If you are using Microsoft Word, first create a PDF file using Adobe Acrobat with all fonts embedded. Then send the PDF file to us. Sometimes when we open MS Word files, we encounter reflow and other anomalies – effectively changing your layout.

Q: Can I submit my job to you as a PDF file?
A: PDF files created in Adobe Acrobat are fine. When you create the PDF, be sure to turn off compression, embed all images in a high-resolution format, ensure that all images are CMYK or grayscale (not RGB), and embed all fonts.

Q: Will I see proofs of my job?
A: We provide proofs of all projects unless you specifically indicate, perhaps because of time constraints, that you don’t want one. Depending on your preference, we can provide either a high-definition Agfa digital proof or a PDF proof by email.

Q: Do I need to supply the fonts I’m using?
A: While our font library is extensive, it is always wise to provide us with both the screen and printer fonts that you have used in your layout.

Q: If I have photographic images in my file, how should I set them up?
A: Be sure that all Adobe Photoshop files are saved as CMYK or grayscale (not RGB). Standard resolution for photo files is 300 to 350 dpi (used at the same size in the layout) for continuous tone images. 1200 to 2400 dpi is good for bitmap line art. Never enlarge images more than 150 percent or reduce them smaller than 50 percent in your layout. It is better to resample them in Photoshop or another image editing program.