Stillwater Graphics can provide file preparation help for your project. We accept layout files designed with Quark Express, InDesign & Illustrator CS4. We also accept PDFs, as we use a PDF workflow for proof and press output. Click on the subjects below for more info. If you don't see a topic you need help with or have a question about you can send us an email at stillwater@stillwatergraphics.biz.
For accurate and timely job production it is important to communicate all aspects of your project. The more complete the information is, the more accurate your quote will be. We have an online form for your convenience. Please fill it out as completely as you can.
We accept files on disk, CD or DVD. We also have an FTP site for file uploads, please contact us for FTP info. When sending files electronically please compress all file in a single folder before sending using Stuffit or Create Archive on the Mac or WinZip on the PC. Also when emailing or sending files to our FTP.
Please send a low resolution PDF with all fonts embedded for us to use as hardcopy. Files submitted on disk do not need to be compressed, unless disk space is an issue. Remember accurate information is essential for smooth production and delivery of your job.
Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel and Publisher are not recommended for any type of print production. These programs were not designed for a commercial print production workflow. The output from these types of files is unpredictable. When submitting Microsoft files for print, a legible accurate hard copy is a must! A PDF with fonts embedded is also acceptable instead of hard copy. The unpredictable nature of these files may require additional time and additional pre-press charges to produce acceptible output.
In order for you computer monitor to display accurate printing color you need to have you monitor professionally calibrated. Screens render colors differently than the printing process. Laser printers also have wide variation in color accuracy. This is why it is important to view a color proof from the printer's proofing equipment, this is the best way to get accurate representation of what the printed piece will look like.
RGB (Red Green Blue) is a display color mode, it is used to create tone that is visible on your television screens and computer monitors. CMYK (Cyan Magenta Yellow Black) is a printing mode, used for traditional offset and digital printing. The four colors (CMYK) combined creates the color spectrum used in offset and digital printing. RGB is an additive color mode. It is called additive because the background of screen is black and different values of Red Green or Blue are added to display color. CMYK is subtractive because the paper on which its printed on is white and the ink subtracts from the brightness of the paper.
PMS (Pantone Matching System) or “spot”colors are special mixed inks that are made from a specific formula. They are mostly used if you need to get an exact color match on you printed pieces, often this is important for logos and corporate identity, since PMS ink colors follow standard formulas they can be reproduced consistently. PMS colors can also be printed from a four-color process (CMYK) formula. Some PMS colors can be closely matched in CMYK but many cannot. Spot colors can also save money by allowing you to add color to a peice without incurring the cost of four-color printing.
Layout: Do not ”float” your document on an oversized page. When creating documents in a layout program make sure the dimensions are to the final trim size. Most layout programs allow for designing and printing with bleed.
Bleed: Keep text and objects not to be trimmed at least 1/8” from the actual trim. Elements or graphics that print to the edge of the page should ”bleed”, or extend at least 1/8” past the trim.
Please NO RGB! All documents and imported graphics should be one of the following color spaces:
CMYK
Grayscale / Bitmap
PMS Spot Color/ Custom Spot Color
Images using a spot color should be Monotone or Duotone or colorized grayscale color mode.
Multi Channel EPS is acceptible too. We have a great deal of expertese with Photoshop and image editing if you have questions or need help.
If you have any Text printing in Black please make sure it is Black only and not colored in registration or Black in RGB color space as this is very undesirable.
Documents created in Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel and Publisher generally use RGB color space and may need extra editing time for accurate color output. Please let us know if you will be supplying us with files in any of these formats.
Low Resolution Images are one of the main reasons for poor print quality. Digital photos or scans should be at least 300dpi at final output. There can be some other reasons for poor image quality, for example a low-res PDF may be created from Hi-res files. If you have any questions about image resolution and output please feel free to contact us.
Some jobs take several hours and some can take days or weeks. Custom Varnishing, Die Cutting, Foil Stamp, Hand Finishing and Assembly are all services we can provide but require extra time. Planning ahead for extra work or custom services is a must. Let us know when you need your job, and we will do our best to help you plan accordingly.
Stillwater Graphics can help you prepare either first class or pre-sorted standard mail. Contact us for options regarding mailing charges. A little bit of reseach can save you a lot of money in this area.
The Postal Service has specifications for direct mail peices. A surcharge will be incurred when these specifications are not followed.For more information go right to the source at: http://www.usps.com/directmail/ The mailing must be delivered to the post office that issued the indicia permit.