home> prepress

Preparing Files for Printing

The following is a synopsis of important steps to ensure that your files are prepared properly.

What to send: PDF files are the best file format to send. Almost all programs can be output in PDF file format. However, you may send native files. We can work with Indesign, Quark, Publisher, Photoshop, and Illustrator.

If you choose to send native files, remember to send all fonts and links (pictures and illustrations.) Indesign allows you to easily collect the fonts and graphics by going to "Package" in the File Menu. Quark allows you to collect the fonts and graphics by going to "Collect" in the File Menu. "Packaging" or "Collecting" is different than simply saving the file. The commands will gather images and fonts used in the file.
Programs such as Word and Excel must be submitted as PDF files or postscript files.

How to Save a PDF File
This is a general explanation of the best way to save a PDF file. If you need instructions on how to save a PDF for a specific program, please call Bryton Printing at 714-993-4800.

Compression and Resolution: In general, it is best not to compress image files or reduce the resolution at all. Full resolution images that are not compressed will be sharper with better detail. However, uncompressed files often make files that are far too large to send and in some cases save. So, if you must reduce the resolution, here are some guidelines:

For Color and Grayscale Images: Reduce the resolution to 300dpi for images that are above 450dpi. If your program gives the option, use bi-cubic down sampling. There are two kinds of compression: Loss less, which means there is no loss of image quality and lossy compression where the files are wonderfully smaller but also the quality of the image is somewhat lower. Choose Zip or LZW for loss less compression. Choose JPG for smaller files with some quality loss. With JPG compression (lossy compression), you can choose the amount of compression and quality loss. Don't go lower than Medium. High Quality, of course, is best.

For Monochrome Images: Reduce the resolution to 1200dpi for images that are above 1800dpi. Again, use bi-cubic down sampling if the option is given. For compression, use CCITT group 3 or CCITT group 4 if it is available. CCITT is a loss less compression format and helps to make very small files.

Marks and Bleed: When you are submitting files to Bryton Printing, crop marks are optional. If you like showing crop marks or register marks, then put them in the file. However, our system does not require crop marks in your PDF file. The main thing is that the "Bleed" is equal on all four sides. .125" is an ideal amount of bleed. However, you can bleed .25 inch or .5 inch or even and inch. The main idea is to have the bleed equal on all four sides. Even pages of booklets need to have equal bleed on all four sides. Our computer automatically removes the unneeded bleed from the spin. For more explanation about what "Bleed" is, click here

Note about Illustrator: Please make sure that the "Artboard" size in Document Set-up is the size that you want the job to print. Our computer recognizes the Artboard size as the finished size of your order.

Note About Multi-Page Documents: When saving a multi-page document, such as a booklet, save in pages, not spreads. Leave Spreads unchecked. This gives us the most control of the output and allows us to deliver the highest quality.

Output / Color Conversion: In general, you want to create your designs using the CMYK color model. Then, when you save your PDF document, use "No Color Conversion."

A Little About Color
Because all full-color printing is done using the CMYK ink, designing using CMYK colors gives the most control of what prints on printing presses. (CMYK = Cyan, little blue, Magenta: pinkish red, Yellow and blacK. The "K" stands for key-line.) The problem with designing with RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is that it always must be converted to CMYK. The way one computer converts CMYK to RGB may be different than the way another printer converts RGB to CMYK. The color may vary. As an example: Black type should print with black ink only - no other colors. However, when RGB black type is converted to CMYK black type, the type becomes four color black. It will print with Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black ink. This can make the type look a little bit fuzzy when it prints. The ink also dries slower.

Another Advantage of Designing With CMYK Color is that you can use the Pantone Process Color Guide. This color guide accurately shows how hundreds of combinations of CMYK (process color) inks will print. There is no guide made that will show how different combinations of RGB colors will print. At Bryton Printing, we calibrate our presses to match the Pantone Process Color Guide. This way of selecting color gives the best chance of getting the exact color you want. If color is important, and you don't have a process color guide, you may come to Bryton Printing and review our color guides. It is best not to use your monitor or laser printer as your sole guide for color! Each monitor displays color a little bit differently.

How to Scan a picture: Photos need to be scanned at 300 dpi or greater. The image size should be the same size or larger than they will appear in the book. If you must enlarge a picture after it is scanned, scan the photo at a higher resolution than you will need. For example: if you need to double the size of a picture when it is placed in to your document then scan it a double the resolution - 600dpi. The actual resolution of the picture will end up being 300dpi.

Making Images CMYK: All digital cameras and scanners use RGB (Red, Green and Blue light) to capture an image. All printing presses use CMYK ink to print. Therefore, there must be a conversion from RGB to CMYK in order to print a picture. Some scanners automatically convert RGB to CMYK when saving. For the pictures that still need to be converted, Photoshop is the best program to make the conversion.

For the highly technical among you, here are the best color settings in Photoshop:

For Gloss and Coated Papers: go the Edit menu and choose Color Setting. The color setting dialog box will appear. Inside of the rectangle called Working Spaces, there is the "CMYK" scroll-down menu. Scroll to Custom CMYK... A new dialog box will appear. Use these settings: Ink colors: SWOP (Coated) Dot Gain: Standard 20% Separation Type: GCR Black Generation: Medium or Heavy Black limit: 100% Total Ink Limit: 300% (With medium black generation, colors will appear to be slightly more saturated - maybe 2 to 3% more saturated. With heavy black generation, ink will dry faster.)

For Uncoated Papers: go the Edit menu and choose Color Setting. The color setting dialog box will appear. Inside of the rectangle called Working Spaces, there is the "CMYK" scroll down menu. Scroll to Custom CMYK... A new dialog box will appear. Use these settings: Ink colors: SWOP (Uncoated) Dot Gain: Standard 25% Separation Type: GCR Black Generation: Heavy Black limit: 100% Total Ink Limit: 200%. It is important to use heavy black generation for uncoated papers. This allows the fastest drying time and actually produces the best color saturation - (even though it might not show this way on your monitor).