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Commercial Printing - Frequently Asked Questions

What file formats can you take?
We can take any Mac or PC version of any file output, as long as it meets our requirements, as a PDF.

How can the files be transferred to you?
We accept files on CD, via e-mail, or by downloading them onto our FTP site.

How do I create a bleed?
The page that will bleed needs to be created with an extra 1/4” on the side that is bleeding.  So if you are creating an 8.5 x 11” page you need to increase the actual page size to 9 x 11.5”.  This extra area must be included on the actual image area.  If your image area in Quark is set at 8.5 x 11” it won’t matter if you have 2 extra inches all around the edges if they aren’t included in the image area they won’t show up when you PDF or EPS the page.  Also when you PDF the page you must change the settings for the page size to include the bleeding area.  If your PDF is set for 8.5 x11” then that is the PDF you will get.

What are the best types of images to use?
For best results it is best to use TIF or EPS formatted images.  JPEGS and GIFS are associated more with the Internet than with the press.  Since these images are low resolution and formatted for the web it is best to stay away from them all together.  If however you need to use a JPEG or GIF you can easily translate them into an EPS using an image editing program like Photoshop.  You can use the same type of program to convert all your images to 200 dpi and CMYK.  However, keep in mind if you take an image off the web and enlarge it you will not get good results.  Since you are taking an image that is 72 dpi and stretching it out.

Will my finished piece look just like it does on my computer screen?
There will be some differences.  All monitors use transmitted light for display.  Printed items are illuminated from reflected light.  Your monitor displays colors using RGB, while we print in CMYK.  Therefore, what you see on your screen is not necessarily what your finished piece will look like.  We do offer photo editing services that will drastically improve the quality of your photos.

Will I always receive the exact quantity I order?
Usually we will print slightly more, free of charge.  Printing industry trade standards allow for underages of up to 5%.  If you plan on mailing out an exact number or need a guaranteed quantity, we recommend that you order 5% over the minimum quantity you need.

What is the smallest size font I can use?
It is best to avoid using anything smaller than 8 points. 

What type of fonts can I use?
Use PostScript Type 1 fonts only.  Do not use TrueType or bitmap fonts.

Can I use colored text?
It is best not to use small colored text.  What happens is that the press has a little bit of variance in the consistency of the position of the different color plates.  This is called misregistration.  The cyan, magenta, yellow and black portions of the text characters don’t line up exactly.  It is fine to use colored text on large, headline type, or smaller text down to about 12 points, but much smaller than that and you are asking for difficult to read text.  Same thing goes for white (knock-out) text on a dark or colored background.  You can do it, but don’t use point sizes smaller than about 12 points. 

Can I put text over an image?
Be careful about using images for backgrounds.  If you put text on top of an image it can be difficult to read.  The key is to lighten the image a lot- more than than you may think is necessary.

Do I need to include my fonts?
If you save your pages as PDF files your fonts are automatically included.

How many pages can I have?
For a tabloid we can print 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 32, 36 pages and so on.  For a broadsheet we can print 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 18 and so on. 

Can I have color on any page?
It depends on the number of pages and the location of the color.  We can print up to a 12 page broadsheet or a 24 page tabloid and have color on any or every page.  Anything larger and you either have to adjust where you have color or if you want color on every page we’ll have to break it into different runs.

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For more information contact:

   Jim Rickman - 406.465.3236

   jrickman@dailychronicle.com

   OR

   Jenny Schwartz - 406.534.9692

   printing@dailychronicle.com