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Printing Services
One aspect of printing services is color separations. For example, if
you have a black & red brochure, the printer will need a set of negatives with
only the black elements and another set of negatives with only the red elements
for printing. If you have multiple colors, then we use "four-color process".
Every color is a percentage variation of four inks - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow &
Black. For printing services, your printer will need four negatives - one for
each color. From your files, we can print out these negatives on our Linotronic,
and provide you with a Matchprint. Matchprints are an industry standard for
color proofing. By using the actual negatives, the Matchprint is an accurate
representation of how the colors will look when printed.
Prepress refers to the preparation of digital files for printing services.
It comes after the design and page layout stage, although prepress planning
is crucial during those stages to insure that files print properly. Some of
the prepress tutorials categories included in this section include Camera Ready
Artwork, Color Separations, Halftoning, Imposition, and Trapping. Preflight
is the final checks and double-checks to make sure that the files are ready
for printing. Preflight software can help with this task. Proofing takes place
at many stages in the entire design, prepress, and printing process. 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 for printing services. 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. To ensure that your include all fonts and graphics needed
for your output it is a good idea to use the collection capabilities of your
program (such as PageMaker's Prepare for Service Bureau utility) or third-party
programs for Preflight Collection.
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