All jobs, whether they arrive in the preferred digital format or in traditional art boards, start their journey through production in the digital prepress department. The least expensive and quickest way for a project to get through prepress is to be submitted in a proper digital format. And don't forget, sending us a hardcopy mockup of your project is extremely helpful!

FILE FORMATS
We output directly from major Macintosh/PC applications:

• Page Layout:
• Adobe Pagemaker 7
• Adobe InDesign CS
• Adobe Illustrator CS
• QuarkXPress 5
• Macromedia Freehand MX
• CorelDraw 11
• MS Publisher 2003
• PDF and PS files
• Vector Formats - Pantones that are to print process, should be specified as such before saving to these formats. When possible, convert text to paths (outlines).
• EPS (don't link EPS files inside of other EPS files, this will occasionally cause problems) 
• AI
• Bitmap Formats - At printed size, bitmaps should be twice linescreen (which is normally 175 lpi), or for most jobs 300 dpi. While text should not be part of bitmaps, when this is necessary images should be 1200 dpi. In almost all cases, exceeding these will not help your image look better, and will only increase file size and processing time.
• TIFF
• EPS
• JPEG (not recommended for 4c work)

• CD-Rom
• ZIP (100MB, 250MB)
• DVD
• 1.44" diskettes

GENERAL 

• ·Build pages at final size and extend bleed beyond page edge by at least 1/4 inch.
   
• Supply stylized font versions, but DO NOT stylize basic fonts (ie supply Times Italic, but don't italicize Times)
   
• Include all fonts used in document (screen and printer, or true types).
   
• Include ALL linked images/scans, logos/artwork, etc...
   
• Do not nest EPS files, in other EPS files.
   
• All images/scans must be in CMYK mode (not RGB, or EPS jpg) 
   
• Rich black should be approximately 30% C, 20% M, 20% Y, and 95% K
   
• All PDF, Postscript files must be centered vertically and horizontally on the files pasteboard area. Include bleeds.
   
• Layout books and magazines in sequential order (ie 1,2,3,...)
• Single page image area should be trim
• Supply hard copy proofs that match each supplied digital file
• Supply composite printouts with colors clearly marked
   
• When using spot color in your project. Make sure that the Pantone colors used are NAMED EXACTLY the SAME in the import files as they are in the layout program.

PROOFING

Provided there are no problems with your files a proof will generally be ready for you within one to two business days. For customers outside of the Grafton area, proofs will be sent using various methods unless specified by the client. Please inquire if you need Saturday delivery (extra fees may be applicable).

A proof affords you the opportunity to view your project prior to printing and to make changes/corrections far more inexpensively than after the project is printed. Proofs will be sent in their finished state. In other words, a book would arrive to you in book order, a folded piece will be folded as the final piece would be; however, a large flat piece such as a poster, may be folded down to fit in the package. Be certain to look carefully at order and folds in addition to overall content including art, fonts, text wrap, etc.

Since proofing paper assembled by hand is somewhat different than printing paper, ink and machine finishing, one should expect some minor variances might occur.

Once you have reviewed your proof, notify your sales representative or a commercial coordinator with any concerns you might have. We ask that all approvals be submitted in writing either by email or fax or by signing the actual proof. Mark any alterations, corrections or concerns clearly on the proof (Sharpie Permanent Markers work best) and tag them for easy finding. A written summary of these areas is also very helpful.

We recommend that you proof your ENTIRE PROJECT even if only a few changes are being made. Rest assured, if the error you find on your proof is our error, there will be no charge to correct it at that stage. However, once we obtain your approval, you accept the content as viewed in your proof. PLEASE CHECK YOUR PROOFS CAREFULLY AND COMPLETELY!

When submitting replacement files please make note of WHAT SPECIFICALLY is changing, because sometimes changes are so minor. By knowing specifically what the change is, we can verify that updates have been accurately made and the new file is correct. Be aware that alterations may interfere with originally anticipated completion dates.

We request that all proofs be returned to us for use throughout production. Proofs are an essential guide to aid us in ensuring your finished product resembles what you approved.

Making a Comic PDF - Requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader