Print process - Can someone explain me what I need to know about preparing graphic files for print?

Question

Print process - Can someone explain me what I need to know about preparing graphic files for print?

Answer 1

Maya, first of all you need to set up your file at 300 DPI (dots per inch). This is required for all print jobs.



Second - a 4 color print job must be set for CMYK, not RGB. CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) is the standard used for 4 color printing process. VERY IMPORTANT.



Third - you must allow for a bleed. Usually 1/4 inch. (.125) around your document. (except for the spine of a catalogue or book) Call the printer to find out what their requirements are regarding the bleed.



Finally, PHOTOSHOP is the finest tool for graphic arts creation. If you are doing catalogues, you will want to learn more about ADOBE CREATIVE SUITE 2 because it has all of Adobe's graphic arts software in the suite including IN DESIGN which you will use for catalogue and book design.



There is a learning curve associated with learning any graphic arts software. Prepare to immerse yourself in study and practice.



If you are a novice at print jobs, there are usually inexpensive computer graphic arts software courses available in the Community Colleges. Certainly in California and I imagine elsewhere. Go to Barnes and Noble and look through graphic design books as well.



GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Answer 2

hiya i can help you with this.

How familiar are you with Quark? Bleeds? Pagination?

Spot to CMYK Conversations?



Mail me with any questions...



try and set up a meeting with an artworker in a printers/design studio. It really all depends what software your agency want you to use. each job has its own challenges from trapping typography, to working with die cuts, to spot & process matching, to using metallics....



there is no universal answer, it comes with experience. ask lots of questions from those around you!

Answer 3

That process will work fine, you will need bleed if your images or graphics go over the edge of the printed area (minimum 3mm all round). Most printers now accept print-ready pdfs for origination, so you do not actually have to outline text or embed images (although they should be CMYK) as the pdf will have that information embedded in them. RGB has a larger and more vibrant gamut than CMYK so it is normal for colours to appear dull after conversion – you will particularly notice this with oranges and purples.

Answer 4

The best file format to submit your artwork in is Adobe Acrobat - pdf

Please ensure you have followed these steps prior to sending the artwork :

1). Convert all text to outlines / paths (the exact terminology depends on your software). Please include the fonts when you submit the artwork if you haven't managed to convert the text.

2). Ensure all images and relevant artwork are at 300dpi before designing the layout (we may ask you to submit higher resolution versions in some instances)

3). Include bleed on all layouts, it may slow down the setup of your order if we have to request new artwork from you. As a general rule, A6 and below require 1.5mm bleed on each edge, A5 and above requires 3mm on each edge.

4). Ensure that all artwork is clearly labelled (eg; JoeBloggs_Front.pdf, JoeBloggs_Back.pdf)We also accept the following files (ensure you follow steps 1-4 above when submitting any artwork) :

*If would like to submit in a format not listed here, please contact us to make sure we can accept it.Vector based artwork (preferred format type) :

Adobe Illustrator - .ai

Adobe Indesign - .indd

Corel Draw! - .cdr

Encapsulated Postcript - .eps(most vector art packages can export to this format)

Macromedia Freehand - .fh*(Problems are likely with this format, please send as a different format if possible)

Microsoft Publisher - .pub

Microsoft Word - .doc

Microsoft Powerpoint - .ppt

Quark Express - .qxd(Problems are likely with this format, please export as .eps file to minimise problems)Bitmap based artwork (only use this format type if you cannot supply vector artwork) :

Adobe Photoshop Image - .psd(include fonts used and don't flatten text layers)

Bitmap Image - .bmp

Fireworks PNG - .png(fonts must be included)

PNG Image - .png

JPEG Image - .jpg, - .jpeg

TIFF Image Document - .tif more detail, you can visit:The best file format to submit your artwork in is Adobe Acrobat - pdf

Please ensure you have followed these steps prior to sending the artwork :

1). Convert all text to outlines / paths (the exact terminology depends on your software). Please include the fonts when you submit the artwork if you haven't managed to convert the text.

2). Ensure all images and relevant artwork are at 300dpi before designing the layout (we may ask you to submit higher resolution versions in some instances)

3). Include bleed on all layouts, it may slow down the setup of your order if we have to request new artwork from you. As a general rule, A6 and below require 1.5mm bleed on each edge, A5 and above requires 3mm on each edge.

4). Ensure that all artwork is clearly labelled (eg; JoeBloggs_Front.pdf, JoeBloggs_Back.pdf)We also accept the following files (ensure you follow steps 1-4 above when submitting any artwork) :

*If would like to submit in a format not listed here, please contact us to make sure we can accept it.Vector based artwork (preferred format type) :

Adobe Illustrator - .ai

Adobe Indesign - .indd

Corel Draw! - .cdr

Encapsulated Postcript - .eps(most vector art packages can export to this format)

Macromedia Freehand - .fh*(Problems are likely with this format, please send as a different format if possible)

Microsoft Publisher - .pub

Microsoft Word - .doc

Microsoft Powerpoint - .ppt

Quark Express - .qxd(Problems are likely with this format, please export as .eps file to minimise problems)Bitmap based artwork (only use this format type if you cannot supply vector artwork) :

Adobe Photoshop Image - .psd(include fonts used and don't flatten text layers)

Bitmap Image - .bmp

Fireworks PNG - .png(fonts must be included)

PNG Image - .png

JPEG Image - .jpg, - .jpeg

TIFF Image Document - .tif, more details, you can visit:http://www.zxprinted.com/blog/file-types.html

Answer 5

Oh dear one, you have a lot to understand!

You need to learn how the process of offset printing works. It is pretty intricate and has some very specific requirements, and each printer has different requirements.

You need to keep things in mind like gripper, bleed, paper grain, paper type and weight, any extra techniques being used post print (embossing, foiling, etc.), the size of the available presses, setting up signatures for printing multiple pages on one sheet, backing up double sided things, and more. All of these things need to be considered in creating a workable design for printing.

The printers I have worked with/for print CMYK (4 color prcess) or spot colors with 133 lpi screens, and all electronic files are saved at 1200 dpi, not 300.

Trapping is an important part of the process. It involves 'knocking out' one color and printing another in that space with a very tiny overlap to avoid having any white space showing. Around 1/2 a point or less.

You also need to understand that when you are printing more than one color and if one of them does not 'knock out', you will be printing 2 or more colors atop each other and you must be aware of how this will look. Printers usually print the lightest colors first, so keep this in mind.

Also, are you sending electronic files to the printer? What kind of files do they want? Mac or PC? PDF? Native Quark, Freehand or Photoshop? Or do they want actual negatives from you? They are the ones you need to question because if they can't work with your files you are sunk. In my experience most printers are happy to help you figure this all out, within reason.

Get some experience with programs used in the print industry like Photoshop, QuarkXpress, Acrobat and Illustrator.

If you have specific questions I would be happy to try and help if you'd like to email me.



Additional:

Yes, colors are important because you need to know if the printing will be done in CMYK (4 color process) or Spot Colors (brighter colors). Each require different types of things from you as the designer.

The touching colors involve trapping or overprinting as I mentioned above. This is important and you need to have some idea of how this will look in order to design an effective product.

I would suggest that you take a job in a printing company and learn everything you can. It is the most intensive and effective way to learn about the industry and how your work as designer impacts each and every aspect of production. Some places will hire you at a low to medium rate of pay if you have any design skills at all. In effect, you will be paid to go to school, and you need to know so much to become a really good print designer. If you want it enough you will find a way to make it work. It will be worth it if you suceed.