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Top Ten List of electronic output problems
1. Missing fonts:
Due to the fact that there are many different
manufacturers of fonts, it is very important to enclose the fonts that
were used when the actual document was created. Even though we have an
extensive type library, there are often subtitle differences in
Typefaces that can cause
text to reflow, kerning/tracking values to be different and position of
text to be slightly different. This is also important that you enclose
both the screen front and the print font (postscript only). True Type
fonts have the printer font and the screen font located in the same
place, however they seldom work. It is recommended that you do not use
True Type fonts at all. There are also font sets on the market that
contain a True type version of the font inside the postscript suitcase.
These fonts can cause very inconsistent output, especially when a
document has to be trapped.
2. Missing support files or embedded graphics:
Under most circumstances, we will open
and resave every graphic that is contained in your document. We do this
to assure that all saved settings are consistent with our output device.
If you embed your graphics (usually PageMaker) and don’t enclose the
original file, there is a great risk that there could be information
contained within the linked graphic that could cause our equipment to
improperly output or not print at all.
3. Improper formatting:
In most cases it is necessary to “re-format” a customers document. We
usually have to reformat because the trim size of your document must
contain all glue tabs, reinforcements, etc. This is why we will supply a
die template if you call or e-mail us.
4: Using custom spot colors in a process
document:
in applications such as illustrator or
Freehand, it is possible to create your own color builds. These colors
need to be converted to “Process” colors and re-saved (or re-exported).
A good way to test whether you have spot colors contained within your
process job is to run color separated laser or inkjet prints.
5. Using process colors in a spot color
document: When creating a document that
needs for instance to be 2 PMS colors, it is impossible to output film
with a full color photograph in it. Any outside graphics that will be
placed in the document must have custom spot color names EXACTLY the
same as what is used in the desktop publishing program. A good way to
test whether you have process colors contained within your spot color
job is to run color separated laser or inkjet prints.
6. Improperly created gradients & blends:
When creating a gradient in
Freehand or Illustrator, the color range many NOT go from any color to
white. The proper way for creating a gradient from 100% of PMS#287 to
white is to define the upper level of the color 100% PMS 287 and define
the lower end of the gradient 0% PMS 287.
7. RGB photographs, graphics, color definitions
and pattern fills: RGB refers to Red
Green Blue, the colors that are used to create what you see on your
computer monitor. All photographs, graphics and colors must be converted
to CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow & Black) color values to be printed.
While this is something that any service bureau will see, it is best
that you change all colors to CMYK before it is worked on, as this
sometimes dramatically affects the quality and range of the colors
contained in your document. Programs such as Freehand and Illustrator
give you the capability of using pattern fills. Please avoid using than
as they seldom work in a postscript environment.
8. Colorized TIF files:
The term “colorized TIF” refers to
a grayscale photo or line art that is saved as black and white, then
“colorized” after the graphic is placed in the desktop publishing
application. Most applications will allow you to do this, however,
during the file-ripping procedure results vary. It is okay to “colorize”
a TIF file, provided the background of the placed object is white. If
you also colorize the background of the photo, costs will be incurred to
reformat the file for the desired effect.
9. TIF files that have no background:
Anytime you save a photo or
graphic as a TIF, it is very important to remember to make the
background of the photo white. If you place a grayscale graphic in a
picture box that contains no background, the edges of the picture will
be very “fuzzy” upon output.
10. Low resolution graphics:
It is very important that you do not take,
for example, graphics from the internet, print them to film and expect
them to look like they do on your computer screen, Most internet
graphics are saved at a resolution of 72dpi (dots per inch). This is
insufficient for printing at high resolution. The proper resolution for
grayscale photos or color photos is 300-350dpi at 100% placement. This
means that if you scan a 4x5 picture and want to place it at the same
size, the scan should be 300-350dpi. Try to avoid enlarging photos in
your desktop publishing application, as enlarging proportionately
reduces the resolution. However, reducing a photo in a desktop
publication application increases resolution. The proper image size for
scanning line-art (no dot pattern) is 800-1200dpi. |
