Pre-press Guidelines
The document size in the page layout program should be equal to the trim size of your book. Select a facing page option if it is available. Setup the files with the actual margins you want in the book.
Prepare a “master” document to use as a template for subsequent files in the same job. Use the
master pages, if available, for elements that appear on every page. Using guides at an enlarged
view (400%) verify that the master page elements align from left to right pages, and are consistent on subsequent master pages. Otherwise these elements may not backup in the final product. Use the style sheets to apply consistent formatting throughout the job. You can setup fonts, indents, tabs, spacing, etc. within the style sheets.
All graphic files should be in a reliable format (TIFF, EPS, or PSD) to obtain good quality when
imaging at high resolution. PICT, WMF, BMP and Paint graphics are not typically suitable for
high-resolution output as they can be low-resolution bitmapped images. It is also not recommended
to copy and paste graphics from one application to another. The graphics should be saved as
TIFF, EPS, or PSD and placed/imported into the page layout program.
Avoid using pattern fills from applications such as Freehand. These fills may not be
PostScript/PDF compatible and may cause processing problems. Typically the pattern will drop
out, or may change to something else not intended. Thomson-Shore will not take responsibility for improper processing of pattern fills.
If you have halftone scans that you are submitting for output, we recommend that you have a press proof run (at an additional cost) to evaluate the quality of your printed photographs. Due to variables involved in producing high quality scans, we cannot accept responsibility for the outcome of your scanned images. Please review our guideline for “Scanning Techniques.” If you
prefer that Thomson-Shore prepare the scans, we can do this in advance so you can place these
images into your files. We call that a P-file, the following guidelines are available for this process:
Guidelines For . . . Preparing and Submitting Digital P-file Scanning, and Guidelines For . . .
Proper Use of Digital P-file Scans.
When specifying line weights for rules, keylines etc., do not use the “Hairline” option. This option
is resolution dependent (the higher the resolution the thinner the rule). Define line weights using
0.25 point or higher for rule lines.
Do not draw rule lines around the trim of the page in the application files. These are often left on
the documents, and are very hard to detect by viewing a PDF file. If the file contains rule lines
around the trim, it is likely these will not be found until the job is at press, and may result in a customer rework if the situation needs to be corrected. Under-trimming the books is another option, but we cannot guarantee that these lines will not show in the final product.
If your pages have bleeds, extend all the areas that bleed by .125" beyond trim size. Do not add
bleeds by changing your page size in the application file. In a electronic file, bleeds should stop at
the gutter, unless it is a double page spread.
Avoid using TrueType fonts. Although most output devices can now work with TrueType fonts as long as they are embedded in the output file, there are still some drawbacks of using TrueType fonts. Acrobat 4.x and above will honor licensing restrictions built into some TrueType fonts and may not allow them to be embedded in the file.
Be cautious when applying style attributes. It is possible to create a font on screen that will not
carry over to the final output. If you have applied styles, ensure that this style is holding once you have created the PDF. Some applications may try to fake the stylized font by double stroking or slanting the base font, this can be very noticeable in larger type faces.
If editing software is being used to alter a font, be sure to give that font a unique name and font ID#.
Because of the unpredictable nature of type after it has been modified by font editing software, we
cannot be held responsible for errors in imaging type that has been altered in this way. We strongly
suggest you run a test and request a full set of proofs to ensure the output meets your expectations.
The amount of pages in an application file is dependent on the type of book you are preparing. If your text is heavily illustrated you may want to break the files down into sections, usually by chapter.
This keeps your file sizes more manageable and saves time working within the document.
Books that are straight text are typically okay to setup as one file. On the other hand, do not create an excessive amount of files. This complicates file management and creates extra work when trying to process these files. You will incur additional charges if the amount of files exceeds 15 files. For final file submission we request a PDF with all text in one file. Use the options in Acrobat to join individual PDF files.
Use good naming conventions for application files as well as graphic files. Avoid using duplicate
names, this can cause linking problems and unexpected output. Give your application files a name that describes what pages are contained in the file; ie., pps_i-xii.QXD, pps_1-314.QXD, etc. Do not exceed 30 characters when naming your files.
Fonts that have the outline look should be created in Illustrator using “Create Outlines” or in
Freehand using “Convert to Paths”. Small or thin type may not be suitable to create outlines from.
Mac users, only use fonts that are available in the application’s font menu, do not add style attributes to fonts within the application. You risk creating a font that doesn’t exist. IBM/PC users, proceed with caution when adding style attributes to fonts. You may create a font that doesn’t exist. Use a utility like ATM or Suitcase to determine what variants of a font are available.
Rule lines should not be specified as hairline as this is be device dependent. Use a definite point
size (0.25 or 0.3 pt) when specifying line weight. Rule lines within heavy coverage of a solid ink
should be at least 0.5 pt. Anything thinner than this may plug when printed on press.
Avoid custom frames in QuarkXPress's Frame Editor, these may be bitmapped designs and will
reproduce undesired effects.
Photoshop images should be saved as CMYK, grayscale, duotone, tritone or bitmap mode (as
appropriate). We cannot separate or print from RGB mode. When converting RGB to CMYK there can be a change in color.
Label graphics as “Live” or “FPO” on laser proofs. Define colors correctly within the application,
or indicate on proofs any adjustments that are needed. Lasers should indicate color breaks and any colors that are intended to overprint.
Mark any special effects on the laser proofs. When using Photoshop special effects, apply these
effects to a high resolution scan. Otherwise it can be difficult to reproduce the desired effects
unless specific step-by-step instructions are given. We can provide you a high resolution scan.
Color in the computer world is very tricky. Due to differences in color gamut on scanners, monitors, proofing systems and ink on paper, do not rely on a monitor or laser printer for accurate color.
Halftones, duotones, tritones, and color images should be 300 dpi and placed at 100% of size,
however 300 dpi does allow for about a 30% enlargement.
Line art scans (1 bit images) should be scanned at 1000 dpi or higher and placed at 100% of size.
The minimum resolution recommended for line art is 600 dpi and even at that resolution the art
may look jagged. Line art that is scanned in the wrong mode, ie., as grayscale, will reproduce with unexpected results. You will typically see bad traps or stray dots around the outside of the copy.
All graphic files should be in a reliable format (TIFF, EPS, or PSD) for good quality when
output at high resolution. PICT, WMF, BMP and Paint graphics are not typically suitable as they can be low-resolution bitmapped images. It is also not recommended to copy and paste graphics from one application to another. The graphics should be saved as TIFF, EPS, or PSD and placed/imported into the page layout program. PageMaker stored graphics should be submitted for processing.
Prepare a “master” document to use as a template for subsequent files in the same job. Use the
master pages, if available, for elements that appear on every page. Using guides at an enlarged
view (400%) verify that the master page elements align from left to right pages, and are consistent on subsequent master pages. Otherwise these elements may not backup in the final product. Use the style sheets to apply consistent formatting throughout the job. You can setup fonts, indents, tabs, spacing, etc. within the style sheets.
All graphic files should be in a reliable format (TIFF, EPS, or PSD) to obtain good quality when
imaging at high resolution. PICT, WMF, BMP and Paint graphics are not typically suitable for
high-resolution output as they can be low-resolution bitmapped images. It is also not recommended
to copy and paste graphics from one application to another. The graphics should be saved as
TIFF, EPS, or PSD and placed/imported into the page layout program.
Avoid using pattern fills from applications such as Freehand. These fills may not be
PostScript/PDF compatible and may cause processing problems. Typically the pattern will drop
out, or may change to something else not intended. Thomson-Shore will not take responsibility for improper processing of pattern fills.
If you have halftone scans that you are submitting for output, we recommend that you have a press proof run (at an additional cost) to evaluate the quality of your printed photographs. Due to variables involved in producing high quality scans, we cannot accept responsibility for the outcome of your scanned images. Please review our guideline for “Scanning Techniques.” If you
prefer that Thomson-Shore prepare the scans, we can do this in advance so you can place these
images into your files. We call that a P-file, the following guidelines are available for this process:
Guidelines For . . . Preparing and Submitting Digital P-file Scanning, and Guidelines For . . .
Proper Use of Digital P-file Scans.
When specifying line weights for rules, keylines etc., do not use the “Hairline” option. This option
is resolution dependent (the higher the resolution the thinner the rule). Define line weights using
0.25 point or higher for rule lines.
Do not draw rule lines around the trim of the page in the application files. These are often left on
the documents, and are very hard to detect by viewing a PDF file. If the file contains rule lines
around the trim, it is likely these will not be found until the job is at press, and may result in a customer rework if the situation needs to be corrected. Under-trimming the books is another option, but we cannot guarantee that these lines will not show in the final product.
If your pages have bleeds, extend all the areas that bleed by .125" beyond trim size. Do not add
bleeds by changing your page size in the application file. In a electronic file, bleeds should stop at
the gutter, unless it is a double page spread.
Avoid using TrueType fonts. Although most output devices can now work with TrueType fonts as long as they are embedded in the output file, there are still some drawbacks of using TrueType fonts. Acrobat 4.x and above will honor licensing restrictions built into some TrueType fonts and may not allow them to be embedded in the file.
Be cautious when applying style attributes. It is possible to create a font on screen that will not
carry over to the final output. If you have applied styles, ensure that this style is holding once you have created the PDF. Some applications may try to fake the stylized font by double stroking or slanting the base font, this can be very noticeable in larger type faces.
If editing software is being used to alter a font, be sure to give that font a unique name and font ID#.
Because of the unpredictable nature of type after it has been modified by font editing software, we
cannot be held responsible for errors in imaging type that has been altered in this way. We strongly
suggest you run a test and request a full set of proofs to ensure the output meets your expectations.
The amount of pages in an application file is dependent on the type of book you are preparing. If your text is heavily illustrated you may want to break the files down into sections, usually by chapter.
This keeps your file sizes more manageable and saves time working within the document.
Books that are straight text are typically okay to setup as one file. On the other hand, do not create an excessive amount of files. This complicates file management and creates extra work when trying to process these files. You will incur additional charges if the amount of files exceeds 15 files. For final file submission we request a PDF with all text in one file. Use the options in Acrobat to join individual PDF files.
Use good naming conventions for application files as well as graphic files. Avoid using duplicate
names, this can cause linking problems and unexpected output. Give your application files a name that describes what pages are contained in the file; ie., pps_i-xii.QXD, pps_1-314.QXD, etc. Do not exceed 30 characters when naming your files.
Fonts that have the outline look should be created in Illustrator using “Create Outlines” or in
Freehand using “Convert to Paths”. Small or thin type may not be suitable to create outlines from.
Mac users, only use fonts that are available in the application’s font menu, do not add style attributes to fonts within the application. You risk creating a font that doesn’t exist. IBM/PC users, proceed with caution when adding style attributes to fonts. You may create a font that doesn’t exist. Use a utility like ATM or Suitcase to determine what variants of a font are available.
Rule lines should not be specified as hairline as this is be device dependent. Use a definite point
size (0.25 or 0.3 pt) when specifying line weight. Rule lines within heavy coverage of a solid ink
should be at least 0.5 pt. Anything thinner than this may plug when printed on press.
Avoid custom frames in QuarkXPress's Frame Editor, these may be bitmapped designs and will
reproduce undesired effects.
Photoshop images should be saved as CMYK, grayscale, duotone, tritone or bitmap mode (as
appropriate). We cannot separate or print from RGB mode. When converting RGB to CMYK there can be a change in color.
Label graphics as “Live” or “FPO” on laser proofs. Define colors correctly within the application,
or indicate on proofs any adjustments that are needed. Lasers should indicate color breaks and any colors that are intended to overprint.
Mark any special effects on the laser proofs. When using Photoshop special effects, apply these
effects to a high resolution scan. Otherwise it can be difficult to reproduce the desired effects
unless specific step-by-step instructions are given. We can provide you a high resolution scan.
Color in the computer world is very tricky. Due to differences in color gamut on scanners, monitors, proofing systems and ink on paper, do not rely on a monitor or laser printer for accurate color.
Halftones, duotones, tritones, and color images should be 300 dpi and placed at 100% of size,
however 300 dpi does allow for about a 30% enlargement.
Line art scans (1 bit images) should be scanned at 1000 dpi or higher and placed at 100% of size.
The minimum resolution recommended for line art is 600 dpi and even at that resolution the art
may look jagged. Line art that is scanned in the wrong mode, ie., as grayscale, will reproduce with unexpected results. You will typically see bad traps or stray dots around the outside of the copy.
All graphic files should be in a reliable format (TIFF, EPS, or PSD) for good quality when
output at high resolution. PICT, WMF, BMP and Paint graphics are not typically suitable as they can be low-resolution bitmapped images. It is also not recommended to copy and paste graphics from one application to another. The graphics should be saved as TIFF, EPS, or PSD and placed/imported into the page layout program. PageMaker stored graphics should be submitted for processing.
posted by Muhammed Naumaan Shah at 7:56 AM
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