| Getting your files ready for print is a fairly simple | | | | content in your design. In a nutshell, it's very |
| process when using a few guidelines from the | | | | important to leave about 1/4 of an inch from the |
| very inception of the design project. Because | | | | edge of your dimensional content to the edge of |
| today's modern digital printing can take advantage | | | | any important lines of text or featured images. |
| of camera ready files, the process is much more | | | | This area will be used as kind of a buffer zone in |
| efficient. Basically, this just means that the printer | | | | the printing process. |
| is able to take the file you give them and | | | | Avoid Drastic Image File Compression |
| immediately send it to the printing system - no | | | | The more you can avoid compressing your final |
| edits or manipulations are needed to your file first. | | | | design, the better. The recommended file format |
| Here are the 5 basics of getting your files ready | | | | for saving a file is usually TIFF. This is because the |
| for print. | | | | TIFF file format keeps all color information and all |
| Make Sure The Resolution Is Right | | | | pixel information from the original design intact. On |
| For the best quality professional printing results, | | | | the other hand, lossier image files, such as JPG |
| it's very important to keep the resolution as high | | | | and GIF, reduce file size by eliminating small |
| as possible. For example, 300 dpi resolution is | | | | portions of the image or by getting rid of some |
| considered by most printers to be an absolute | | | | of the color information stored within the file. |
| minimum. Also, it's important to do each step of | | | | Better final results from printing happen when |
| the design process in the actual resolution you'll be | | | | better quality images are put forth. |
| submitting to the printer to avoid any loss of | | | | Save In A Standard Format |
| quality throughout the creative process. | | | | Once you've finalized your graphic design and text |
| Make Sure The Colors Are Consistent | | | | files, it's important to lock them in and place them |
| Chances are, when you are editing an image on | | | | in sort of a shelter that can be easily shared with |
| for viewing on your computer screen or on a | | | | the printer. One great way to do this is to use |
| web page, you're using the RGB color format. | | | | Adobe?Acrobat?PDF files. They're commonly used |
| This is the format computers normally use to | | | | in the printing industry because they're cross |
| display colors. However, when printing accurately, | | | | platform compatible. Plus, using this type of |
| it's important to utilize the CMYK color space | | | | standardized format doesn't allow for the |
| option instead. Also, for sharp and crisp black, it's | | | | possibility of accidental changes or edits to the |
| important to use 100% black with no additional | | | | camera ready image. Once it's "locked" and saved |
| CMY encoded (the K in CMYK stands for black). | | | | as a PDF file, how it is shown in that format is |
| Follow Trim And Bleed Guidelines | | | | how it will be printed. |
| Bleed and trim are the terms used to describe | | | | For comments and questions about the article |
| the area around the dimensions of your final | | | | visit: Warson Printing Blog |
| image that will be unsafe to use for important | | | | Copyrights: theprintguide. |