Datasheet

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Working with a Service Bureau
services, including high-end drum scanning. A common service is taking
scans or digital photos and burning them onto CDs or DVDs. Many service
bureaus provide output to color separations to film and RC paper. Larger
bureaus may even have a digital press to handle a short-run (500 or less),
on-demand printing need.
Getting the ball rolling
Developing a good working relationship with your service bureau and/or offset
printer can save you a lot of time, money, and frustration. These folks are the
experts and know their equipment and processes. And believe me, they’re only
too willing to help. The fewer problems they have with your files, the better they
like it. You can do some things to keep the relationship on solid footing:
✓ Get a dialogue going about the specs. If your file is going directly to a
newspaper, magazine, or other publication, talk with the art director,
graphics production coordinator, or other knowledgeable person about
the graphic specifications required.
✓ Build a lasting relationship. Consistency is also key. When you find a
good bureau or offset printer, stick with it for all your jobs. Jumping from
one company to another because a quote came in a little cheaper doesn’t
always pay off in the long run. If you’re a faithful customer, often your
service bureau or offset printer will match that lower quote if it can.
✓ Get on the Web. Many service bureaus have Web sites where you can
find a listing of services they offer, price lists, file specs, and even down-
loadable order forms. Larger offset printers also have general informa-
tion, online requests for quote applications, and more. Larger offset
printers may provide services such as scanning and film-separation out-
put, so be sure to check the Web site for details.
Using a prepress checklist
To prepare your file for print, use the following list to ensure your file is
ready and rarin’ for problem-free output. Note that this list isn’t all-inclusive
when it comes to prepress; I include tips that pertain to Photoshop only.
✓ Always transform your images in their native application. Size, crop,
rotate, shear, and reflect art in Photoshop. Transforming images in an
illustration or page layout program is complex and time-consuming.
✓ Ensure that images can first print from Photoshop. Do this before
importing the images into an illustration or page layout program.
✓ If you’re placing Photoshop EPS images into a page layout or illustra-
tion program, set the halftone screen frequency in the destination pro-
gram instead of embedding it in each image in Photoshop. Or better yet,
don’t set any halftone screen frequencies in your images and let your ser-
vice bureau or offset printer handle setting them in the other program.
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