File Setup is an integral part of each print job. This is a critical step for allowing the multiple digital manipulations of an image to deliver a quality print.

Prepress is the term used in the printing and publishing industries for the processes and procedures that occur between the creation of a print layout and the final printing. Within the digital world, most of the traditional activities are now automated either on the design software or within the printing equipment. Still, automation doesn't mean that the defaults settings are the most recommended for wide format output, the following guidelines are very important to follow whenever possible.

File formats: raster or vector.

Vector Graphics typically are generated using drawing or illustration programs (e.g., Adobe Illustrator) and are composed of mathematically-defined geometric shapes—lines, objects and fills.

• Vector graphics usually are easily modified within the creating application and generally are not affected detrimentally by scaling (enlarging or reducing their size). Because vector elements are mathematically-defined, scaling simply requires modification of their mathematical locations. However, vector files do not support photographic imagery well and often can be problematic for cross-platform exchange. Vector graphics typically are saved as EPS format, but can be saved as PDF or IA formats.

Raster files (a.k.a., bitmaps) are produced by digital image capture devices: digital scanners or digital cameras, or by pixel editing programs (e.g., Adobe Photoshop). Raster images are composed of a matrix (grid) or bitmap of digital picture elements (pixels). Pixels are squares or rectangles described as black, white, gray or color. Raster images typically are saved as TIFF, JPEG, PNG, GIF or raster EPS.

Whereas conversion from vector to raster is easily accomplished, raster conversion to vector is much more difficult (and often is not possible). Raster images typically are easily shared across various platforms, but can be more difficult than vector graphics to modify. Raster graphics are impacted by scaling.

Image Resolution

We recommend designing your large format document at actual size with a resolution of 100 dpi. If necessary, you can design your document at a smaller size as long as it remains to scale and the resolution (dpi) is proportionately larger.

For example, a 24”x36” poster could be designed at a reduced scale of:
 

• 24”x36” (100% size) – with a minimum resolution of 100 dpi.
• 12"x18" (1/2 final size) – with a minimum resolution of 200 dpi.
• 8"x12" (1/3 final size) – with a minimum resolution of 300 dpi.
• 6"x9" (1/4 final size) – with a minimum resolution of 400 dpi.

•  

Fonts

Whenever possible, convert fonts to outlines or supply all PostScript (printer and screen) fonts. We cannot accept Mac specific fonts, please outline fonts for maximum compatibility.

Proofs

PDF electronic proofs will be provided upon request. Hard copy proofs are available at an extra charge. For all color critical jobs, we encourage customer request a physical proof, we cannot guarantee color, and cannot accept color discrepancies from electronics proofs. For a detail explanation for why your prints look different on your screen than on paper or vinyl, please read about additive vs. substractive color spaces.

Placing and embedding images

• Whenever possible, do not embed images. Use “insert as picture” or “place” commands in your application.

• Avoid using low resolution images, especially ones taken from the internet. Speedpro Imaging cannot guarantee quality output when low resolution images are used. Please follow our Image Resolution guidelines for appropriate output of your files.

Extra Charges

It is recommended that a hardcopy color proof is supplied to us if  accurate color and layout matching are critical. Client requested color and layout changes are available. Jobs with incomplete or inaccurate elements may require extra work. Customer will be notified and given a quote. Even when a quote has been provided, we reserve the right to change our estimates for files that are not print ready.