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“Quality Starts Here” Texas Offset Printing puts the power of today’s most advanced printing technologies and the expertise of skilled craftsmen to work on every project. In addition, our clients play a large role in the ultimate quality of their printed jobs. Proper file preparation minimizes the risk of errors that can drive printing costs up and compromise quality. By following these guidelines, you can help guarantee that your printing will meet your own high standards, with delivery on time and within budget. The experienced team in our Pre-press department uses advanced software and Digital Workflow Systems to take your files from disk to proof and plate ready film or CTP. Our Digital Workflow consist of a XMF Ripping System which is used for final pre-flighting, trapping, ripping data and viewing of monitor proofs, for a final detailed look at ripped files. This enables us to check all color breaks, traps, and flow of text to see your files in a final form prior to film plotting and proofing. XMF also enables us to use the same ripped data and apply cutback curves for our presses, to control dot gain. XMF allows us to see the finest details about the files, which gives us the advantage to eliminate many potential problems and mistakes saving time and cost. Texas Offset Printing maintains the latest versions of software, technology and equipment to make sure your job is done right! *Note: Transferred files should always be stuffed for quick uploads and downloads and to insure that they are received intact and uncorrupted. For a complete list of pre-press standards check our file requirements.
For pre-press additional information or to exchange files through the Internet, please feel free to contact: info@txoffset.com.
Formats: Macintosh and PC
Software: Latest versions of Adobe Creative Suite and Office Software Programs
Proofing – Capabilities:
PDF’s – Low Resolution & High Resolution color proofing system.
File Requirements:
Preflighting
Preflighting documents prior to sending files to your printer ensures that they have the necessary elements required for proper output.
Fonts
• Never use TrueType fonts. Instead, always use Adobe PostScript® font formats, such as PostScript Type 1 or Bitstream.
• Always send both screen and printer fonts.
• Notice that all fonts are identified by a code number.
• Observe that the screen font is used for viewing on your monitor and identifies which printer font the output device will use.
• Always use the actual stylized type face from the font menu rather than stylizing the typeface in the font style bar in QuarkXPress™, such as bold, italic, outline, and shadow.
ß Be sure to check your font usage under the utilities menu. A negative sign (-) next to the font indicates that there is one missing. When using the Collect For Output feature under the File menu of QuarkXPress™, the fonts must be added manually.
Page Layout
• Be sure that the page layout is the correct size and that an allowance is made for bleeds — the recommended amount of bleed is 1/8-inch.
• Establish crop marks correctly from Page Setup. Do not place them manually.
• Always include perforation marks, fold marks, score marks, and die-cut positioning.
• Remove blank pages from page layout.
• Run spell check on your documents from the QuarkXPress Utility menu.
Color
Be sure that the colors used in your document are going to separate or print as a spot color. Do this by using the Edit Colors feature under the Edit File menu, and deleting any unused colors from the color pallet. Also, be sure that all art files reflect the way you intend them to print, such as CMYK or spot. Trapping
Trap is used to aid in color registration. In trapping there is normally a slight overlap of two colors when they share the same edge. Your files will have necessary traps added when needed.
Graphics
• Include all original files (not just the uneditable “.eps” files) that are placed into your document.
• When sending a “low res” image saved in your file, be sure to mark “low res. FPO” in your document.
• The most accurate way to place art files is by using APR (Automatic Picture Replacement).
• Do not change the file name after placing it into your document. Convert all art files like they are intended to print, such as converting RGB to CMYK.
• Use Pantone Color Systems Guide for your spot colors.
• Update all modified art files using the Picture Usage feature under the QuarkXPress Utilities menu.
Lockup
Our web processes require 3/8 of an inch of non-printing area on each color of your document. We offer several options to the lockup dilemma.
We can:
• Split the units on several colors (as long as you stay within a total of 8, 10, or 12 colors depending on form size and press)
• Center your document into a larger form, for example: 8-1/2-inch form centered with full bleeds on 9-1/3 inch form.
• Crop back 3/16 of an inch from top and bottom of the form, rotate your document, or just make sure you have a total of 3/8 of an inch somewhere on the form on each color (lockup can be taken anywhere on the form in each color)
Consult your Customer Service Representative to see what would be the best way to meet your needs. Or, let Texas Offset Printing help you plan your job.
File Compression*
When compressing files to be sent via e-mail or through our ftp site, you will need to compress your files with StuffIt, DropStuff™, StuffIt Deluxe™ or, for PC files, WinZip.
Film Provided
Always include the original digital file. This will avoid delays if changes are requested or if color adjustment is needed. A 1-inch film border is required around images for masking and to avoid “hot spots” on plates. All provided film should have register marks and crop marks for proper placement. Indicate perfs and folds on an accompanying proof. Contact your Customer Service Representative for desired cutbacks, curves needed to allow for dot gain on our presses.
Check List
Along with the disk, always send a black and white or color laser copy, printed at 100%, using the latest file. Indicate perforations, folds, score positions, and color breaks. Send along an itemized list of all elements on the disk, including file formats, fonts, colors (process or spot). Send only the necessary files that pertain to the job.
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