Simple tips to help save any additional charges:
FBF support most of the major DTP applications including QuarkXPress, Freehand and the Adobe Creative Suite, however we prefer our suppliers to supply jobs in either QuarkXPress or press ready PDF files.
Check before you send
Please ensure you supply all linked graphics by using the collect for output option in QuarkXPress, Illustrator, Freehand & InDesign. Also remember to ensure that any RGB, LAB or Index graphics are always converted to process CMYK. The minimum resolution we advise to use for a raster graphic would be 300dpi, with at least 900dpi for bitmaps. Using a lower resolution may result in poor quality output.
Spelling
Thoroughly check and double-check your artwork for spelling errors. Try to get someone who has not worked closely on the job to help check it. This will avoid an expensive re-print. So many times our clients are so concerned to meet the deadline they miss the simplest errors.
Illustrator Documents
When creating artwork in Illustrator please make sure the document size is the correct finished size, allowing for any bleed if required. Do not create multi page documents on one document page. When making the pdf include all printers marks and add 3mm bleed when required.
EPS and Illustrator files
When providing artwork as an EPS. To prevent missing font issues make sure all text in the document is converted to outlines (Text to Outlines).
Press ready PDF
Where at all possible please provide print-ready artwork as a press-ready PDF. Be sure your file includes crop marks and bleed.
300 dpi not 72dpi
All images should be created at 300dpi (dots per square inch). Do not just increase the dpi in any application. This will just increase the size of the image but NOT the actual resolution.
Smaller files
Keep the files smaller. When you can, save your images as near as possible to the final printed size as a tiff or eps.
Images from the web
Remember, images from the web unless stated otherwise are normally only 72dpi and will not be good enough to print from. They may look OK on a computer screen but will not be suitable for printing unless they are very large on screen and are dramatically reduced in size on the final artwork (remember you need at 300dpi at the actual size it will be reproduced (ss or same size).
CYMK
If your job will be 4-colour process (full colour), check your images are set to CMYK and not RGB. . CMYK (CMYK, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black) are the colours used in the printing process.
Spot colours
If you have a 4 colour (full colour) design check you do not have any lone spot colours. Make sure these are converted to 4 colours process.
Naming colours
If your work uses spot Pantone Colours, ensure that these are all named correctly as either coated or uncoated. Do not mix the two together.
Bleed
Allow a 3mm bleed on your all your documents. Colour needs to run off the edge of work by at least 3mm Bleed to allow for trimming the final job to the correct size. This also allows for a little movement during production and will avoid any white paper showing.
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