Datasheet

645
Book IX
Chapter 1
Prepping Graphics
for Print
Working with a Service Bureau
✓ 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
program 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
service bureau or offset printer handle setting them in the other program.
✓ When saving Photoshop images for print purposes, stick to TIFF, EPS,
native PSD, or PDF file formats. If you’re unsure of the proper format
to use for a specific job, ask your offset printer or service bureau.
✓ Make sure that you use the proper color mode. For example, use CMYK
for color separations and RGB for slide output.
✓ Create vector shapes and paths efficiently. Use the fewest number of
anchor points possible to create the path and delete any unnecessary or
stray points. Leave your flatness setting blank. Photoshop uses the default
setting for the output device, which is usually a safe bet.
✓ Limit the number of typefaces. Downloading takes time. Limiting the
number of typefaces also makes your document look more sophisticated
and polished.
✓ Make sure that all scanning is at the appropriate dpi. For more on reso-
lution, see Book II, Chapter 1.
✓ If your image is to bleed (extend to the edge of the printed page), take
that into account when creating your image. Note that you need to
allow for
1
/8 to
1
/4 of an inch on any side that will bleed to allow for slip-
pages when the paper is cut.
✓ Always specify colors from a Pantone color swatch chart and then
select the color, whether process or spot, in Photoshop. Never trust the
way colors look on-screen because of calibration deficiencies and differ-
ences between RGB and CMYK color models.
✓ Make spot color names consistent. Make sure that the Photoshop spot
color names exactly match those of any programs to which you are
importing your image, such as an illustration or page layout program.
Otherwise, you may get an additional color separation.
✓ Print and provide laser or inkjet prints of your file, both separations
(if warranted), and a composite print. Print all prints with printer
marks — crop marks, registration marks, labels, and so on.