Star Printing: Digital File Guidelines

1.	Never send the only copy of your files maintain at least one copy at your site.
2.	Included in our Disk Supplied pricing is an inspection of your files to ensure proper output. If file modifications or repair is necessary for proper output, Star will notify you in advance the additional cost to repair the files.
3.	Clearly label your media with your name, telephone number and job name.
4.	Only send the files needed for the project. Delete any unnecessary items, unused objects, earlier versions, blank pages, graphics left in the pasteboard, unused colors from the color palette, etc. that were created during the design process before copying your files to the media for submission. Unwanted items should be deleted and not covered with a white box (electronic whiteout).
5.	Please check spelling and grammar. Especially Names, Phone Numbers, Dates, Times, etc. Spell check dictionaries are limited and can not tell you when the wrong word is used but spelled correctly. (Ex. form - from)
6.	Never mix different versions of the same font in a file. Include copies of the printer and screen fonts used in the font folder on your disk. Include any fonts imbedded in graphics. Never apply styles to your fonts rather select the font in the style you want from the font menu.
7.	Include all graphic images, artwork, scans and other original application files and place them in the same folder as the layout file.
8.	When you have the option keep your files linked to, rather than imbedded in, your layout files. Again make sure you send the linked files and that they have been copied so that the links remain when opened in a new environment.
9.	Avoid nesting graphics - never nest more than two layers deep.
10.	Scale, crop & rotate graphics in a photo retouching program not in your page layout program. For best results scan the image at the desired angle rather than rotating. Scans should be converted to CYMK prior to importing images into your page layout program.
11.	Continuous Tone Scanning Formula: LPI x 2 x % of reduction or enlargement i.e. 150 line screen x 2 = 300 x50% reduction = scan at 300 DPI
12.	Line art should be scanned at about 800 - 1000 DPI never lower than 600 DPI.
13.	Print out a directory and send it with your disk. Make sure each file has a unique and useful name - do not change file names at the last minute it may break the links.
14.	If you have the ability take your media to another computer and make sure you can output the file and nothing is missing. If your file won't output correctly on a laser it won't RIP correctly.
15.	Include a laser or color proof from the final version of the file your submitting. Proofs should be at 100% if possible. Don't forget to turn "tiling" off after output. Proofs should show bleed, trim, registration and crop marks. Output and submit a color-separated laser proof for multicolor and process color jobs. If the job folds or backs up in a specific way include a composite dummy showing the desired result.
16.	For process color work convert colors to CYMK. Go by the numbers and choose process colors from the swatchbooks that give CYMK percentages. Monitor colors and many PMS colors look different when printed CYMK.
17.	Total Ink should not exceed 300% on coated stock 260% on uncoated stock. Black should not exceed 85% on coated stock and 80% on uncoated. Dot gain 20% on coated stock and 24-28% uncoated. Web press black should not exceed 80% dot gain on newsprint. Dot gain for newsprint 30%. (For a rich process black use 100% Black, 60% Cyan, 40% Magenta, & 20% Yellow.)
18.	Create bleeds of at least 1/8 inch. Do not run type or graphic elements to the edge of the sheet allow some margin of safety to account for the natural limitations of production equipment.
19.	Usually EPS files are the preferred format. TIFF files are acceptable and a good choice for saving scans. Do not use a TIFF file for a black & white image in a Quark transparent picture block it will print with jagged edges. In programs like PhotoShop where you have the option save EPS files as binary rather than ASCII.
20.	Do not place a graphic in the middle of text and then autowrap the text around the graphic. Create a frame with a polygon, import the graphic and place it in the frame. Then import the text and let it flow around the polygon.
21.	Spreadsheets and graphs should be copied into a photo-retouching program and saved as EPS files then imported into the layout.
22.	Do not create frames using the QuarkXPress frame editor. Build frames in a vector graphic program (Freehand or Illustrator).
23.	Do not create Drop Shadows by selecting shadow from the style menu. Drop shadows should be separate elements.
24.	Don't use "hairline" for anything, always specify a weight of a least .4pt. Use the "hold line weights" command in drawing programs when scaling down graphics with light line weights.
25.	Never construct a four-color graphic with abutting lines they will not register. When using borders, frames, and abutting lines check the position with the zoom feature and verify with numeric coordinates. To create borders use a frame instead of four individual lines.
26.	Overprint rather than knockout small tinted type on a background tint.
27.	Never use blends between two spot colors or between a spot color and CYMK. Blend between CYMK colors. Watch the number of steps in color blends or banding will occur. Shy away from fade to zero blends they rarely produce good results.
28.	Avoid using type in a photo retouching program it will be converted to a bitmap and print jaggy. Combine text and graphics in a page layout program.
29.	Do not use the "Transfer Function" in programs that provide it.
30.	Keep designs simple and beware of clipping paths. Evaluate shapes and delete unnecessary nodes. Use the "flatness" feature if your program has it available. Complex designs & clipping paths increase the chance of postscript error.
31.	If you utilize a special plug in or helper application to produce your files you will need to supply them in order for us to process your files.
32.	Do not use type smaller than 6pts.

Color scanning & placement in supplied files	$40.00
B & W and Grayscale scanning & placement Max Size of 8.5" x 11"	$ 8.00

1.	Disk Supplied Pricing assumes ready to print digital files.
2.	Pricing includes inspecting the files before output.
3.	Star will provide a fixed cost to repair files that require modification to output correctly.
4.	Payment and written authorization must be received before proceeding.