Offset Printing Tips

Ask for Guidance

Call with questions before beginning that next "Big Project." We would be happy to offer technical assistance and "tricks of the trade" ahead of time.

Don't Trap It

Leave all of the trapping settings in your final document at the defaults.

Lasers

Create Composite lasers proofs of your documents. Be sure to label document size (if the lasers are reduced), color breaks and include the document name.

Name Those Colors

Remove unnecessary color names from color palettes in final documents. Be sure to designate colors as spot or process color builds.

No FPOs

Leave FPO images placed in the document for sizing and cropping information, but do not send the file if it will be replaced with a Hi Res scan.

Organize files

Organize files on the transfer media in folders by jobs. One folder per job.

Pack a Suitcase

Include 1 screen font and 1 Printer font for each postscript font used in your document. Place all screen fonts in one suitcase labeled with project name. Place printer fonts in the same folder as the suitcase.

Send the Natives

Send all included graphic files along with primary page layout document, including original native graphic document as well as final file for imported EPS graphic files.

Strip Down

Remove all unnecessary elements from the final document pages and pasteboard.

Trim Size Only

Make document size the trim size of a single page. Arrange the document in Reader's Spreads.