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.
