Megee knows that there are many details to consider when preparing a print project. The following are some prep tips that will assure your jobs are done right, the first time - every time.

What you should include with your electronic files:
Any time you collect your electronic files for commercial printing it’s important to make sure to include all placed artwork and fonts used in the layout. This allows us to make sure that the artwork is in the correct format to print in the best color and resolution possible. Fonts are VERY important. The absence of even one font in a publication can re-flow pages of layout!

Avoid Embedding:
A common problem with files received for prepress is that graphics are occasionally embedded instead of linked in a publication. This causes several problems. When graphics are embedded in a publication, the program incorporates the graphic into its design file. The result is that the prepress person has no control over any adjustments or separations to that graphic. If the graphic is to be separated into 2 or more colors (including 4-color process) there is often little the prepress department can do to attain accurate color, or sometimes even separate the files at all.

The other problem with publications in which graphics are embedded is that they tend to be very large. If they work at all, the separation process is often much more time consuming than if the graphics had been linked, and additional prepress time and costs can be recognized.

A few simple tips to linking graphics should be applied.

1. Whenever prompted (Publisher, PageMaker), always chose to “link file to publication” and “update automatically”. This keeps your working file small, and guarantees that any changes or updates to that graphic should be transferred into the final piece.
2. Always include on disk each graphic that you have placed in your publication, even if you know that it has been embedded. The more information our prepress department has available, the more likely they are to meet your timeframe by avoiding additional requests for files.

Collect Fonts:
Font problems are the most common cause for missing print deadlines. Fonts come in several versions. On both the Mac and the PC there are True Type as well as Adobe fonts. The biggest difference is that for the Mac it is important to remember to include both the screen and printer fonts. Text will not print correctly if missing ½ of the font. The PC combines both the preview and the printer font into one file per attribute.

For both the Mac and PC be sure to collect every single version or “attribute” of each font. For example there may be 12 or more files associated with the “arial” font. This is because there are separate files for each attribute. Arial Bold has a different file than Arial Bold Italic and even another for just Arial Italic. The result of missing one of these files is that the font may appear correctly on the screen, however it will not print correctly to film, plate or digital presses.

• For True Type Fonts(.ttf):
  • Go through Start » Settings » Control Panel and then
  • click on the Fonts Folder
  • select the fonts used (REM each attribute)
  • Select Copy from the edit menu
  • Go to the drive you are saving to
  • Right Click on the drive
  • Select Paste
  
  
  
• For Adobe Fonts:
  • Through your Windows Explore browse to C:\psfonts\
  • Highlight or Select those fonts used
  • Select Copy from the edit menu
  • Go to the drive you are saving to
  • Right Click on the drive
  • Select Paste

Please refer to our FAQ section for more tips. And as always, please contact Megee for any other questions you have.

^ top of page