Vol. 1 - No. 5

Print Knowledge

presented by

Generations of Graphics Excellence! - since 1959

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

 

October, 2002

*This Issue*

A Prepress Check List

Customizing Your Project

Link to Your Sales Representative

Danny Blevins

Carl Phinney

Donna Phinney

Tim Hoffart

Bob Burnell

Kay Page

Jenny Hoffart

Link to Your Customer Service Representative

Terri Kline

Cherie Roseliep

Debra Hirdning

Link to Your PrintKnowledge Staff

Michael Mumford (Editor)

A Prepress Check List

Before submitting that disk or attaching that file to an outgoing email, there is a mental check list that we advise you to run.

1.
 Is my final document saved in a software program and version compatible with my vendors capabilities?
2.
 Have I included all of the placed images?
3.
 Are all of the placed images either bitmap, greyscale, PMS spot color , or CMYK? (no RGB)
4.
 Are all rastor images the appropriate resolution?
5.
 Have I allowed additional image or background color for bleed (if required)?
6.
 If document needs to be built at a reduced size, is it proportional to final size and when printed at the enlarged size, are all linked images at the appropriate resolution.
7.
 Have I included both screen and printer fonts for all fonts in the document and for linked images?
8.
 Have I converted fonts to "outlines" or "paths" wherever possible?
9.
 Have you eliminated all colors from your color palette not being used in the job.
10.
 Have you included a color proof for the production house to refer to?

By asking yourself these basic questions before putting your project in the hands of your production house, you will reduce confusion and questions about your project and increase the turn time and quality of your final product.

Tip of the Month

Size Your Images First: Before importing an image, both vector and rastor, open the image in its' native program and scale the image to the actual print size. This will reduce the time spent in laying out the final product as well as assure the appropriate resolution of the image for best possible print quality.

Remember... for screen and digital print projects with raster images the preferred resolution is 185 d.p.i. at 100%.

Customizing Your Project

There are many ways to set yourself apart from the competition in todays competitive markets. One of the best and most cost effective solutions is through "eye-appeal". Visual nonconformity catches the attention of the eye and gives you that split second advantage to get your message across.

Color: Most products are produced using the standards of greyscale (black & white) or CMYK (full color printing. But, beyond these barriers is a virtual rainbow of color options. The Pantone System offers 1,114 specific spot colors to choose from. There are also a wide array of metallic and florescent inks available.

Shape: Not every product must be a rectangle. Many bindery departments offer standard and custom die cutting. This includes circles, ovals and custom shapes ranging from state and animal shapes the life-size cutouts of people.

Size: Projects do not always need to fit into the 8 1/2 x 11 box. Be it a 7' cut out of a famous basketball player or a notepad the size of a mouse, size draws attention.

Over-laminates & Flood-coats: The finish on your project also needs to be considered. Gloss and matte are not your only two options. Now there are additional coatings that will allow among other things, a dry-erase capability to the product.

The point that I am striving for here is that although standards are "standards" for a reason, adding a few options to your project may be the edge that makes you stand out from the crowd.

"Print Knowledge is our monthly E-Zine / Newsletter dedicated to sharing information and assisting all interested parties in furthering your knowledge base of Screen and Digital Printing, Pre-Press/File Preparation, Graphic Design, Point Of Purchase products and many other related issues.

If you would like further information on our products and services or would like to receive a quote on an upcoming project please drop us an e-mail at: printknowledge@mercurysigns.com

or visit us at:

www.mercurysigns.com

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Terminology & Abbreviations

score - To indent or impress a mark with a rule or blade in the substrate to make folding easier.

trapping -The amount that overprinting colors overlap to eliminate white lines between colors.

velox - A print produced on photographic paper from a screen negative.

warm color - A color with a reddish or yellowish cast.

WYSIWYG - An acronym for What You See Is What You Get. Which means that the composite page viewed on the screen of a workstation essentially represents what the printer will output.

Go to Glossary