File Preparation

After you have created the graphics, layout and text of your project there is another important step: getting it ready for printing. Following these steps will increase the quality of your printing, the speed at which you get your job back and may even save you money!

  1. Begin by using an accepted application program. See our Guidelines for a list of applications.
  2. Not all fonts are created equal. Use fonts that will give you consistent and expected results. See our Guidelines for font information.
  3. Print out your project and thoroughly proofread it. Check for typos and also make sure your images are where you want them and that graphics are the right size and in the right place. It's always good to have at least one other person look it over, too.
  4. If your printing project includes color, check your color definitions.

    Print out color separations, one sheet for each color. If your project uses black and red, there should be a sheet for black and a sheet for red. If more than 2 pages print out, go back and check your color definitions.

    If the project is full color, make sure you only get the process (CMYK) colors when you print out color separations — Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black.You should have four sheets.

    Make sure that the trap has been set up. Trap is a small amount of overlap when colors meet to prevent white lines from developing. Layout programs like Quark, PageMaker, and InDesign should set the trap automatically. Check the program's Help for more information.

    NOTE: RGB is a color format for display on computers and won't work for printing! Make sure that your project is set up for either spot color (like Pantone) or process color (CMYK).

  5. Check the image resolution. All images should be set at 300dpi and at 100% in the layout program. High dpi can make the color too dark and lower resolution can be pixelated.
  6. Confirm that all your graphics are properly linked or embedded.
  7. Just like your desktop printer, our printing presses need space on the sheet to grab the sheet so your image cannot go all to the way to the edge. Leave at least 1/4" (one quarter inch) margin on your sheet.
  8. If you would like the ink to go all the way to the edge of the sheet, we can print on a larger sheet and then trim it down. Layout your project for the final trim size, but add at least 1/8" (one eighth inch) extra printing off the edge of your project. Adding this 'bleed' ensures that when the sheet is trimmed, no white lines will appear along the edge.
  9. Print a final proof of your project. If you can print color, print both composite and color separated versions. If your project includes any trimming, two-sided printing, folding, or binding, make a "dummy" that is folded, glued, etc. exactly as you would like it.
  10. Gather all your files together — layout file, graphics files and fonts — and zip them into one file using PKzip or DropStuff. You don't have to do this, but if you send the files separately, make sure that you send all the files and that you have identified the print job for each one.
  11. Place your order and upload the files by going to 'Send A File'. Just walk through the steps and up load your file.

If you have any problems with these steps, please contact us at info@bizprint.com or 338-9746. We want to do everything we can to make your printing project go smoothly.