SUBMITTING YOUR FILES
We strive to make working with our offices as convenient as possible. You may never even need to leave your office in order to get the completed job delivered to you! A variety of methods are available for file submission. The first step is for you to fill out a Printing/Duplicating Request form. This can be sent to our office through Campus Mail or faxed to us at 618/453-1643. After submitting the form, you can then submit your files. Files may be submitted on a CD, USB drive, diskette or uploaded to our file exchange site http://siuc-pd.leapfile.com.
You may submit your information in any number of ways. Type your copy in Word, work up your idea in Publisher, or lay it out in InDesign. An Acrobat distilled PDF is the best file format to send us. PDF's eliminate the need for the program that the original artwork was created in. If saved properly they also eliminate the problems that occur with different type fonts.
| Professional Layout Programs we accept | Other Programs/File Formats we accept |
| Adobe InDesign | Photoshop |
| Quark XPress | Illustrator |
| PageMaker | EPS |
| Press-Ready PDF | |
| Publisher | |
| Word | |
| PowerPoint |
We review the submitted files and discuss your needs, then produce a proof so you can see how your printed job will look. The process of proofing is your chance to check all aspects of your job one last time. We will only proceed with printing once we have your approval.
HOW TO MAKE A PDF:
Most newer versions of desktop publishing programs have the ability to export as a PDF or print to a PDF. In either case just make sure that you Embed the fonts and convert all the images to CMYK. These are options in the PDF controls. Usually you will have the option to export for Screen or export for Press, please select the export for "Press or Print".
IF you are a Windows user and don't have Adobe Acrobat Distiller or Adobe PDF professional, you can download "PDF Writer": a FREE software that will allow you print high resolution PDF files.
PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING ORIGINAL FILES
FONTS: Supply all the fonts used in your document, including fonts used in any linked EPS files. We highly recommend Postcript versions (either Type 1 Postcript format or Open Type Postcript format), however we can also accept TrueType fonts. (Please note that PostScript Fonts are made up of two files, a Screen Font and a Printer Font. Both fonts must be included for the project to print correctly.)
TYPE STYLES: Do not use the 'type styles' provided by your layout application (such as 'Bold', 'Italic', 'Outline', etc.) For example, only bold your type by selecting the bold version of the font. (ex: rather than creating a bold Helvetica by hitting the "bold" button, go to your font menu and select 'Helvetica Bold'.)
EPS GRAPHICS: (Vector Based) Convert all of your typesetting to paths (or outlines) when saving EPS graphics out of Illustrator or Freehand. This will minimize font rejustification problems during the processing of your file.
LINKED IMAGES: When sending native application format files, also provide all external image files. All images should be in CMYK, grayscale, or bitmap color modes.
Be sure to update your links in the layout files whenever you alter any of the original images. Many programs have a feature called "Collect for Output" or "Package" which can help you gather your fonts & images for project submission. See your user's manual for a description of this function and how it works.
RESOLUTION: We suggest a final image resolution of 300 dpi. Bitmap (1-color) files should be 600 dpi.
DOCUMENT SIZE: The document page size should be set to the final trim size of your printed piece. For example, if your single sheet is trimmed to 8.5"x11" then your document size should be set to 8.5"x11".
BLEEDS: Leave 1/8 inch (.125") for any image or color that bleeds off the edge of the page. Do not change the size of the document, just drag the picture box over the edge of the document.
MEDIA ACCEPTED: upload to our file sharing site http://siuc-pd.leapfile.com, CD, DVD, Zip disk, USB drive
It is best to build pages/documents in page layout programs such as Quark, InDesign or Pagemaker, placing the art files in those program files. Following is a list of tips to make your job print better and keep your cost down.
- Provide a hard copy of the final file when submitting the paperwork for your file.
- Send all the fonts used.
- Do not use "styles" for fonts in the application.
- Vector based files can have the type converted to outlines to eliminate fonts, but will also eliminate our ability to edit text/make changes.
- Include all imported images and links with the files, even if the files have been embedded.
- All color documents and/or imported color files should be CMYK or PMS spot color (not RGB).
- Scans and non-vector based art should be 300 DPI resolution at the placed size.
- Remove all unused text or graphics from the pasteboard outside the document image area.
- Keep text and objects not to be trimmed no closer than 3/16" from the actual trim.
- Items that print to the trim (bleed) should extend 1/8" past the trim.
- Do not "float" your document on an oversized page.
We will work with you to make just about any file print the way you like; however, any intervention time will be an additional charge.
Please call if you have any concerns about this information or would like help in working with your file. We will be happy to assist you.