.PDF
Because there are numerous software packages and file formats that may be used to create artwork, it is neither practical or possible for us to support every possible file format. Also, many file formats make it very difficult if not impossible for us to produce the same output that the customer sees on their own computer. For this reason, the printing industry has standardized on the PDF file format. A PDF file is a "self contained" document, and usually has everything necessary to print the file, including necessary fonts. For this reason, all print files submitted to Solid Impressions are recommended to be in PDF format.
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Other File Formats Accepted
.AI – Adobe Illustrator. Convert all fonts to outlines and embed any linked graphics.
.INDD – Adobe InDesign. Converting your fonts to outlines is recommended if you are not using True Type
.JPG or .JPEG – Photographic images. Set your camera to the highest resolution if using your own photos. Note that most jpeg images downloaded from the web are low quality and unsuitable for printing.Fonts (.TTF). Package your files to include your fonts and links. Compress the packaged folder (.zip or .sit) before sending.
.PSD – Adobe Photoshop. Flatten your layers before submitting your files.
.TIF or .TIFF – This graphic file format will retain the highest possible image quality.
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Page Setup
Please set up your art as "one-up". We will impose for the press using special tools here. If you submit art in two or more "up" printer's spreads it actually creates more work for us...so please make it easier on both of us! For 2-sided designs, please include each side of the print in one pdf instead of two pdfs.
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Bleed
Does your artwork contain images, text or graphics that extend the the very edge of the finished piece? This is called "bleeding off the edge" or simply "bleed". Files with bleed need to be built to the final trim size plus 1/8" extra on each side for the bleed. Example, if you are ordering an 8.5" x 11" sell sheet, the graphic file's size should 8.75" x 11.25". When saving the file into the proper format (preferably PDF), do not use any crop or printer's marks. These will increase the dimensions of the file.
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Borders
Does you piece contain a graphic or artistic border close to the paper edge? See related Bleed above and Safety Zone below. When paper is trimmed there is a cutting tolerance of 1/16" which may result in uneven borders. For this reason we do not recommend borders. However, if they are necessary in your piece, the border should be at least 1/4" thick and at least 3/8" from the bleed line. Perfect trimming is not guaranteed.
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Color Mode
Does your piece contain more than black color? Files that contain color text, artwork, or images must be saved in four color "CMYK" (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) color mode. Files submitted in the RGB or Pantone color mode will need to be converted to CMYK. Note that converting RGB to CMYK will cause a color shift as they are not the same color spectrum.
Is your piece black and white? Files that are black and white must have all artwork or images in Grayscale color mode.
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Fonts
Are you using vector-based software such CorelDraw, Adobe Illustrator, or Adobe InDesign? For vector files such as these all text must be converted to outlines before creating the file (preferably PDF) you send us.
Are you using a bitmap-based (a.k.a. raster) software application such as Adobe Photoshop? For bitmap files such as these, simply flatten the image. Avoid font sizes smaller than 8 pts or fonts that are very narrow as these may not print, or will lack crispness, or may not display well against dark backgrounds.
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Image Resolution
While your computer screen will display low resolution images well, when printed they will look rough, blurry and jagged. For best printing results, a resolution of at least 300 dpi is recommend. Files with resolution lower than 300 dpi can be printed, but the results may be unsatisfactory.
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Lines
Do you have lines on your piece? All lines should be at least .25 pts thick to make them printable. Thinner lines may display on your screen but be too thin to print.
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Safety Zone
Does your piece have any images, text or other elements close to the page edge? If too close, it may get cut off. Establish a no-go "safety zone" of at least 1/8" from the edge of the final trim size. To avoid any images or text being cut off when the piece is trimmed, do not place them in the safety zone.
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Booklet Printing
Creating a booklet for printing with solid-impressions.com is easy. We do all the work for you!
You do not have to paginate your booklet, or to lay it out in spreads. In fact, we don’t want you to. We will handle all page ordering and imposition in our pre-press department.
All you have to do is make each page of your document the same size as the page you want in your booklet (plus bleed). If you would like page numbering on your booklet pages, please make sure that is included in your file.
For example, if you are ordering an 8.5 x 11 booklet, saddle stitched, then do not setup your pages 2-up on an 17 x 11 sheet. Instead, setup your pages to be 8.5 x 11 each. If a finished booklet has 16 pages, then your document should also have 16 pages.
The first two pages and the last two pages of your document will be your booklet cover. If you do not wish to have any printing on the inside covers of your booklet, then simply include blank pages in your document.
If you have artwork that bleeds to the edge of the printed page, then you need to make your sheet size large enough to include crop marks and bleed, as demonstrated on the template. We need a minimum 1/8" bleed. For example, if your finished size is 8.5 x 11, the document page size should be 8.75 x 11.25. Professional page layout software such as Adobe InDesign has built in ways to do this for you.
Here is a template for an 8 page, 8.5 x 11 booklet. If you have more than 8 pages, simply add more body pages in your document. Remember, saddle stitched booklets need to have a page count that is a multiple of 4. If you are creating a perfect bound, or spiral bound book, then you can have any page count you wish. If you like, you can submit two files: One for your covers, the other for your inside pages. In that case, you will need to have four pages in your cover document: 1: Front cover, 2: inside front cover, 3: inside back cover, 4: back cover. Again, if you wish any of these pages to be blank, just insert blank sheets in your cover document.
