Pre-Press Specifications

Pre-Press Specifications
Files Submitted For Printing At Interprint

If you need any assistance in setting up your files correctly for printing,
please contact us directly before you start your project.

Proofing Terms & Conditions

By the time your project is submitted for printing, you need to have thoroughly proofed the files. Please make sure you pre-flight and proof all files for accuracy before sending them to press. Our pre-press systems are automated and your files are not personally reviewed or proofed by any of our technicians or representatives. Interprint does not assume liability for errors on printing proofs that show in that completed project, regardless of the origin (see the two related topics on resolution and built black type below). Interprint is not responsible for the proofing of your files or proofreading of the proofs. All projects at Interprint are produced with proofs for customer approval, before the production process can occur. On-line "only" proofing customers must agree to the on-line proofing wavier before your production can begin. Ask your representative for details.

Please Send Back All Proofs - We Need Them To Make Your Order - All hard copy proofs must be returned to Interprint before we can proceed with the printing and binding of your project. This includes both the Epson color proof and folded/stitched Gerber proof. The proofs are further used by our technicians and machine operators during the production of your order. Therefore, it is imperative that all proofs sent to you are signed by the buyer, and then returned back to Interprint before our production can begin. Think of proofs like they are blue prints or building plans. Without them we can't build your project.

When Reviewing Your Proofs

If you do not mark changes or errors on your proofs that need to be made, errors will show in the finished printed product. There is no substitution to checking your proofs carefully to ensure accuracy.

Resolution - Hi-Res VS Low Res Files

When reviewing proofs, please keep in mind that online proofs (viewed on your monitor) and hard copy digital color proofs, are either presented or made from different equipment, and media, compared to the traditional offset printing process / press that your order will be printed with. Therefore, low resolution files can be hard to visually detect during the proofing process. It is your responsibility to submit files in the correct printing file format. Only send hi-resolution files.

Built Black Type

Do not build black type, or other elements intended to just print in black, in CMYK / 4-color process. This will cause undesirable printing results such as color variation and poor registration in the end printed product. When reviewing proofs, please keep in mind that online proofs (viewed on your monitor) and hard copy digital color proofs, are either presented or made from different equipment, and media, compared to the traditional offset printing process / press that your order will be printed with. Therefore, black type built in CMYK can be hard to visually detect during the proofing process. It is your responsibility to submit files in the correct printing file format.

Making Changes At The Proofing Stage

If a change is made on a page of a magazine, catalog or brochure, please note that the entire page may be re-ripped. Therefore, it is imperative that you re-check all information of the entire new proofs. Do not just look at your changes, review everything on the new proof for accuracy.

Recommended Files To Send Us - PDF

Interprint recommends PDF files produced with the latest version of Acrobat Distiller, created using the default setting "Press Quality". The accuracy of the processed data (your supplied files) depends on the features that are used in the creation of the document (i.e. transparency, color management, overprinting, etc). Even using Adobe’s Acrobat Distiller to create a PDF file using the "Press Quality" setting will not guarantee the file will process exactly the way it appears on the monitor. There are different issues that can arise depending on the platform (Macintosh or PC), the software used, the version of that software and even the features within the software used to create the document.

Natives Files Can Be Problematic

Customers who supply native files instead of PDF files run a greater risk of problems with the way their files process. Issues with fonts, placed images, transparency, and overprinting are more common with this traditional postscript workflow.

Customer Supplied Media

• PC and Mac.
• You may submit print files by: CD, DVD, or via our ftp site at www.PrinterUSA.com
• Please provide hard copy dummy or mock up at the time you submit your files so we may compare to our proofs.
  

File Formats We Process

• The number one recommended file format to supply to Interprint - PDF files.
• Native file formats from popular desktop publishing software: QuarkXpress, InDesign.

Print Documents

• Only send the documents that you want us to output. Delete all other files from the disk/media you supply to Interprint.
• Make sure the document is the actual size being printed. If not, please specify enlargement or reduction for imaging.
• Gather all "output documents", "fonts" and "supports" and place them into three individual folders.
• When creating a book, have all the pages in one document as single pages, not spreads.
• Always supply laser prints with your job so we may compare them to the proofs.

Fonts

• Supply all screen and printer fonts, or truetype fonts used in the job and linked supports.
• Do not assign type attributes (bold, italic, bold italic); instead, use the correct font.
  This will avoid using a type style you do not have an actual screen and printer font for.
• Avoid Multiple Master fonts.

Print Graphics

• Do Not Send Low Resolution Files, Only Send Hi Resolution Files. All photos and graphics need to be at least 300 dpi. All line art or bitmap images needs to be 1200 dpi. Photos and graphics supplied less then 300dpi (what can be found on most websites are usually only 72 dpi.) will reproduce poorly.
• Warning On Low Res Files Or Upsampled Files: Web images are mostly lower resolution like 72 or 96 dpi files. This resolution is fine for Internet viewing, but is not acceptable for use in printing. Do not save images or graphics from a website to use in your print project.
  
  Upsampling - Is when a low resolution image is saved to a higher resolution with no changes in dimensions. Upsampling adds more pixels/dots per inch (dpi), but creates blurry or non-desirable results in the printing image. The only way resolution can be somewhat improved, is by decreasing the image size, or by recapturing the image at a higher quality setting. When you upsample low res files, you can still net poor results, even though a pre-flight software screening will pass the file. Such screening software now sees the file "labeled with higher resolution", but most often the image is still far below the desired printing results. To further complicate low res files, online proofing and today's digital proofing environment can camouflage the look of lower resolution files, by looking clearer or crisper on a computer monitor or digital proof, compared to the end results in the actual offset printing. The key to success is to supply hi res files prepared properly for the offset printing process.
  
• Do not build black type, or other elements intended to just print in black, in CMYK / 4-color process. This will cause undesirable printing results such as color variation and poor registration in the end printed product.
• CMYK - Only send files in CMYK format
• Bleeds: Any image that bleeds off the page must extend at least 1/8" (.125").
• Live Area: This is your graphics and type that cannot bleed or it will be trimmed into during finishing/bindery. All type and graphics not intended to bleed, must be a minimum of 3/16" clear and free from the head, foot, face, gutter or trim area.
• Fonts: Supply all fonts and placed images with your linked supports.
• Embed Graphics: Do not embed graphics, unless you are using Corel Draw.
  If graphics are embedded, supply the original graphics with the job.
• ICC: Do not attach ICC profiles to an RGB image.
• Channels: Remove extra channels from Photoshop files.