How to Supply the Best Files

As lead times decrease in today's busy business environment, the correct presentation of files or instruction to a design studio or a printer is becoming ever more important. If a problem is found with supplied files, important deadlines may be jeopardised.  Equally, images presented with unclear instruction can cut into timescales and prove costly if given incorrect treatment as a result.

We hope that the following information will provide some basic guidelines for anyone unfamiliar with the procedure of supplying files to Manor Creative.

 

Formatted Files

In most cases files are produced in either Quark Xpress or Adobe InDesign. It is good practice to discuss with us any other software to be used as this will ensure we are able to handle files in the most efficient way.

 

Formatted Pages

When supplying fully formatted files you should discuss the manner in which pages are presented. For example, imposed facing pages rather than double-page spreads should be used as the latter are sometimes prepared in such a way that presents difficulties at imposition stage.

 

On screen planning
All files received either in Quark, Pagemaker, Indesign or supplied pdf, are sent to an Apogee X imposition station which pre-flights and converts files to pdf which are then planned on screen using dedicated software.

Imposed pages are ripped and proofed to an Epson and Sherpa printer and when approved are sent  to a Creo Lotum CTP system.

 

Submitting a file to Manor Creative

PDF's are the safest way to supply files.  The object of a PDF is that all pictures, text and fonts are embedded to give a final file which allows for no change. Even with PDF's there can be problems.

 

The 10 most common issues are:

Placed image resolution too low
Fonts not embedded
Wrong colour space assigned
Incorrect trim or bleed information
Inconsistency with native file (hairlines, gradients)
Spot colour misnamed or converted to process
Too much compression (artifacts, quality loss)
Incorrect page size information
Transparent object issues
Incorrect or missing ICC profile
 

For your convenience we recommend PDF best practice documentation "Pass4Press" compiled by the Periodical Publishers Association (PPA).  The PPA is the UK association for publishers and providers of consumer, customer and business media. Amongst their work are initiatives to develop industry standards and provide useful resources and information for media bodies. For more information on the PPA please click here.

 

When supplying PDF's to Manor Creative please ensure that:

All PDF's should be hi-resolution, all images 300dpi and CMYK;
Fonts embedded and bleed (if any) added;
If possible please send a set of colour split laser proofs in the post;

 

Supported Programs:

QuarkXpress versions 3.3, 4.1, 5.1, 6.5, 7.2
Pagemaker version 7.0
Illustrator up to version CS2
Freehand version 8
InDesign version CS2, CS3
Acrobat PDF version 8
Photoshop versions 4, 5, 7
Word
Publisher
Text files can be received from most word processing formats including: Word, Word Perfect or Apple Works.

 

Please ensure that when sending files:

All fonts and relevant images are included;
Images to be 300dpi and CMYK (if in colour);
B&W or colour proof included;
In graphics files please convert fonts to drawn outline;


Please avoid when sending files:

Do not use applied bold/italic on fonts if possible;
Do not use pict files embedded in files;
How to Send a File:
E-mail address direct to our studio is studio@manorcreative.com
File Transfer. If you intend transferring large files you may use our file transfer system located here
ZIP discs 100 /250 or 750mb
DVD Rom mac or pc compatible
CD Rom mac or pc compatible
Floppy mac or pc compatible