Sending Files to
Your Service Bureau
Getting files, fonts, graphics, disks ready
for commercial printing
When you send a digital file out for film or
printing more goes along than just your PageMaker or QuarkXPress
document. You may need to send fonts and graphics too. Requirements
differ from one printer to another but if you know the basics
for sending files to your service bureau (SB) or printer it will
elminate most common problems that might prevent them from processing
your job.
Usually your service provider will ask you to send:
Application file
This is the actual digital file that you created in PageMaker,
QuarkXPress, CorelDRAW, or some other desktop publishing program.
Before you send an application file:
- Be sure your SB or printer has the same
software, same version.
- If you've upgraded before your SB, you may
have to 'save down' your file to the version they use.
- Insure that the shop can handle files from
your platform.
- Few
SBs accept Microsoft Publisher (.pub) files or files from
anything other than the Adobe programs, QuarkXPress, Corel,
and other major 'professional' applications.
This can vary by region. Ask first.
If
your application file is not acceptable you may have to consider
submitting a PostScript (or PDF) file for output.
Fonts
Even when you use common, classic typefaces you'll need to send
the copies of the actual font files that your document contains.
Fonts can vary from vendor to vendor and differences exist between
the TrueType and Type 1 versions of fonts. If you don't supply
your own fonts the SB may substitute their own version. This
might work. Or it might result in subtle or obvious differences
in your document including text reflow.
- Check your font license agreement. Generally
it is an acceptable practice to supply a copy to a printer
in order to output your job.
- Send both screen and printer fonts (for
Type 1 fonts).
- If you have embedded EPS files that include
text not converted to curves, send the fonts for those images
as well.
- Avoid mixing TrueType and Type 1 fonts in
the same file.
- Send the same version of the font (that
is, if you used TrueType fonts but send the Type 1 version
of that typeface you may see errors).
- You could embed all your fonts or convert
text to curves to avoid having to send font files. However,
this isn't always possible or advisable.
Graphics
Send copies of all your images used in your document. If you've
practiced good file size management then most of your graphics
are linked, not embedded in your document. The SB will need
to have access to those graphics, otherwise your application
file may have only low-quality preview images in the file or
no graphic at all.
- Use EPS and TIFF images. If you must use
other formats, check with your SB.
- Convert RGB images to CMYK.
- Save graphics in uncompressed formats.
- Don't change graphics file names unless
you first re-link them in your application file.
- In some instances your SB may want you to
also send original format graphics (Freehand, Illustrator,
Photoshop files) in addition to the placed EPS/TIFF images
in your page layout application — for troubleshooting
purposes. Ask them.
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