• PDF files are now the only excepted format for file submission except by special arrangement. When properly generated PDF files remove the problem of missing font or links and text reflow.
• Most newer graphics programs have an Export to PDF function. If yours does you are all set. Choose PDF/X-1a:2001 as the Standard. If you are using Indesign 3(CS) or higher Click here to download our Presets.
• If you use and older program for layout you will need Adobe Acrobat Distiller to make your PDF.
  If you are using Distiller v4 or 5, you can download our optimized settings file by clicking Here.
  If you use Distiller 6 or newer you will need to Here
  Follow the instructions in the text file to install the settings on your system.
• Please note using Export to PDF from InDesign in version 1 or 2 is not recommended. Please Click here for help making PDF's from these versions of InDesign
  
  

Adobe Indesign (as of version CS) is the best choice. It is very stable and reliable. QuarkXPress is a distant second now primarily because it has not been significantly updated in over ten years. Adobe Pagemaker, Macromedia Freehand are possible choices as well.
We do not recommend CorelDraw but if you already use this program click Here for instructions on submitting your pages to us.
Microsoft Publisher and Word files are supported only by special arrangement.

If you are beginning a new layout download our optimized template.

1. Not checking each page before sending it to us.
Believe it or not computers seem to be capable of messing things up. For that reason it is critical that the person most familiar with the job look at each page after the PDF is made and before it is submitted to us. Our pre-press system is completely automated so it is possible to send a job to press without being seen by anyone.

2. Choosing colors from the default palette in the page layout program.
Defying common sense Adobe, Quark etc. fill up there pallets with colors that look great on the screen but will print completely different. The most obvious example is the standard blue. It looks like a nice deep blue on the screen but it's CMYK values are 100% Cyan and 100% Magenta which will print purple not blue at all.
Solution: Find good CMYK values to assign to your colors. A good place to start is to download our Color Chart

3. Not providing any Bleed image.
A Bleed is when a page element (picture, background, etc.) is meant to run right off the page. That is not stopping at the margin (no white boarder). Because the trimming process is not perfect extra image is required. For example if you are printing a 8.25x10.25 book the bleed size would be 8.75x10.75.

4. Sending pages that are in the RGB (Red,Green,Blue) color space.
Since printing is done in the CMYK (Cyan, Magenta,Yellow,Black) space RGB files do not reproduce as expected. Sometimes this is just the result of incorrect Distiller settings. Surprisingly this is a common problem with files supplied by big name ad agencies who should know better.
Solution: Double check that you are using Distiller settings that do not convert the color space to RGB. Our Distiller settings are a good choice. (Note: you can not change RGB files to CMYK during the PDFing process it must be done by hand in your layout/photo editing software.)
*If the problem is with a supplied file there is not much that the average user can do except request a corrected file. In some cases we may be able to convert the file with the help of some fairly expensive specialty software (Enfocus Pitstop, etc). Contact us as soon as you suspect a problem.

5. Ignoring the Distiller output log.
During the PDFing process a log is generated listing all errors. You can set the Distiller preferences to delete the log on successful jobs so then when you see a log file next your newly generated PDF you know that in some way the job was unsuccessful. The most common error is font related. If a font could not be embedded that font will not print correctly.
Solution: Read the log file and determine if there is reason to believe that the file will not reproduce as intended.

In what format do you want my files?
All files must be in PDF format

Can't I just send you the working file and you can make the PDF?
No. The great thing about PDF files is that all your carefully compiled page elements are built right into the file. Your PDF is made from your files and your fonts on your system. This completely avoids the problems of missing pictures or incorrect fonts.

Do you have special requirements for PDF files?
No. If you are comfortable generating PDF files for Commercial Pre-Press there are no special requirements. If you are not sure or want to optimized your file size for us see the Making PDF files section and download our Settings

Can I email files?
Because email has seemingly random size limitations and unpredictable delays we prefer you to upload files to our FTP site

How do I know if my files were uploaded completely?
You should be able to see your files in our directory, hit the refresh button on your FTP software if necessary. If we are removing the files quickly you will see them move to the /Done directory. That means we have already taken them to use.
We are aware that some FTP software on the windows side does not display the files or directories correctly. The only fix would be to try a different FTP program