Approved Applications
QuarkXPress, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Pagemaker, Macromedia Freehand, Adobe In Design. While other application programs are constantly being tested, we suggest you contact us before working in any program not listed. PC Users should avoid using True Type fonts whenever possible and call us before submitting any files for production.

Page Layout
Define page size as a final size. 13"x17.75" is the maximum final size for the DI. A final size of 11"x17", however, allows for the most efficient use of paper. Be sure to use a .25 pt. trap on all files. It's important to note that any trapping you supply will be outputted as received. We'll be happy to check your trapping or complete the trapping for you. If you would like us to review or create your traps, we'll do so at an additional charge. Please provide the correct panel size for the style of fold you wish to incorporate in cases where a fold is required.

Type & Rule
Select a font from the font menu. Avoid style options or buttons as they may result in incorrect output. Use PostScript Type1 fonts. Refrain from using TrueType fonts whenever possible. Define rules by their measurements. Rather than indicate a hairline rule, specify a .25 pt. rule.

Color
Define all color names the same, using CMYK, in both your graphics and page layout programs. Output a laser copy of all color plates to verify accurate color break. Add 60 percent cyan to large solid black areas. The addition of cyan will help achieve a richer black on your finished piece.

Images
Convert all live-color bitmap files from RGB to CMYK. When converting RGB images to CMYK in Adobe Photoshop, use medium GCR. For best results, we suggest you limit black ink to 95% coverage, and total ink to 340% coverage. Save files as follows: PC images in Tiff format; Macintosh images in EPS or TIFF (with DCS and Transfer Functions turned off, and no compression.) Provide halftone images in EPS or TIFF format. Avoid placing PICT files. If QuarkXPress pages are saved as EPS files and placed in another document, send the original QuarkXPress page and any placed files required for the page. Include the Freehand document when exporting graphics from Macromedia Freehand. Scan line work at 800 dpi (dots per inch) or above. This will ensure optimum quality. Provide live-color bitmap images at scan resolutions of 225 to 300 dpi. DI work is output at 150 lpi (lines per inch). Place all scans at 100% size or smaller. Enlargements could compromise quality. Rotate, Scale, and Crop images before placing them on your page. Completing these steps in the page layout program creates excessive imaging time. Set picture box background color to white or zero percent black in QuarkXPress whenever possible. Create blends (or gradients) in Adobe Photoshop adding a gaussian noise of two. This step will help reduce banding. Avoid saving screening information or transfer functions with Adobe Photoshop images.