Computer File Specifications

Although Sunraise is able to work with a wide range of computer files, pdf files have become an industry-wide standard, and provide the best option for ensuring your final printed piece looks like you expected. Photoshop files should be left in the photoshop file format, but other files should be converted to pdf.

When creating your computer file, please keep the following in mind:

Colors: Printers work with CMYK color, while digital cameras shoot in RGB. RGB color is fine for on-screen display, but is not how your images will be printed. Colors WILL change when converting from RGB to CMYK. Therefore, please make sure all images and colors are in CMYK mode, and be aware that the colors will still vary, depending on the device used to print them. If you need absolute color matching, create colors using a Pantone ink specification (spot or process) and tell us that. If you don't know what any of this means, see RGB vs. CMYK - Information for Typesetters & Designers (opens in a new window) for more information.

Resolution: Please create your documents at full-size, with any images set to 300 dpi. If we have to enlarge any files or images, the quality will go down. 72 dpi is fine for on-screen display but will look terrible when printed. If you're using graphics from your website, they will be fuzzy, blurry or jagged when printed, or need to be reduced to 1/4 to 1/3 their original size to bring the resolution back up.

Layers: If you work in Photoshop, InDesign, or other software that allows you to create separate layers, please flatten the image BEFORE creating the pdf file or use the pdf export settings to remove them. Hidden layers in pdf files can cause unexpected results in the final printed document. Extra layers in Photoshop make your files much larger than they need to be, and may show up on your printed piece whether you wanted them to or not. Merge all your visible layers and delete all hidden ones before giving us your Photoshop files.

Fonts: If your software allows it, convert all fonts to outline before creating the pdf file. Remember that bitmapped fonts may look fine on screen, but they will be jagged when printed.

We can NOT be responsible for errors in computer files we didn't create, including graphics you've provided to use in documents we typeset for you. Make sure there are no hidden layers, missing fonts or images in your final document and proofread it carefully for typo's. If we see a problem, we'll contact you, but some problems aren't apparent until we've made press plates or screens or started printing; we will have to charge you for that, and for the time it takes to correct your file. We may not even realize there was a problem until you pick up your job and tell us, because we thought that was the color you wanted, or that you gave us the best image you had, knowing it wasn't at the proper resolution for high quality printing.

In general:

• All colors and images should be CMYK.
• All documents should be 300 dpi, at the full size of the final printed piece (so if you're making an 18" x 24" sign, your computer file should also be 18" x 24").
• All layers should be flattened and hidden elements removed.
• All fonts should be converted to outlines.
• If you create custom colors, give them custom names. Custom colors with standard names may automatically convert to the preset colors our computers use, rather than your custom color.
• Files should be saved to a CD. Write your name and/or the project name and date on the CD with a magic marker.
• Create a 'read me' text file with your contact and job information and include it on the CD. Smaller files may be emailed.
• If you bring files on a flash drive, please make sure they are the only files on the device, or that any other files have been moved into a folder named 'DO NOT USE' or something equally obvious. You should also put your name on the outside of the drive (masking tape is fine for this, so long as it doesn't block the USB port). Please note that we can not be responsible for lost flash drives or CD's; make a back-up before bringing us your files.

Creating final files:

Print to PDF

If you use the Mac 'print to pdf' option or one of the online or Windows pdf creators to make your final file, do NOT email it. Bring in a print-out and we can make copies for you. These document converters usually aren't suitable for files which will be printed, since they lack controls to ensure images are converted to CMYK at the proper resolution, fonts are converted to outline or embedded, hidden layers are removed, etc.

InDesign and Illustrator

• Create your document at 100% of the printed size, with all images and colors in CMYK mode.
• If you use transparencies or drop shadows, design them first in Photoshop and then import a flattened .TIFF file into your Illustrator design. Transparencies and drop shadows can cause problems at press when designed in Illustrator.
• Photo collages should not be created in Illustrator – use Photoshop to create the collage and import a flattened 300 dpi .TIFF file into Illustrator.
• Convert all fonts to outline once your design is done.
• Check your files using the preflight tool. This will warn you if you've forgotten to convert images to CMYK or any fonts are missing.
• When creating the pdf, use File –> Export, save as type Adobe PDF, then select Press from the PDF styles. Set the Compatibility to Acrobat 4 (PDF 1.3).
• If you select trim marks in the Marks & Bleeds section, please ensure that Page Information is not checked; this can cause problems with fonts.

Quark

• Create your document at 100% of the printed size, with all images and colors in CMYK mode.
• Save each page as an eps file, with no hidden layers.
• Create pdf files using Acrobat Distiller. Make sure your settings create CMYK files at 300 dpi.

Photoshop

• Create your document in CMYK mode at 300 dpi at 100% of the actual printed size. If we have to enlarge your document, it will be fuzzy or jagged when printed.
• If you are creating custom decals, etc. create a PATH for the shape we will be cutting to. We can do this for you, but a typesetting charge will apply.
• Once your design is done, flatten all layers.
• Save as a photoshop (NOT pdf) file.

Microsoft Word

• Convert all images to CMYK at the proper size before embedding them in the Word document.
• Create pdf files using Acrobat Distiller. If you use the 'print to pdf' option available on Macs or the Word 2007 plugin for exporting to PDF, you have little or no control over what settings are used. The final pdf file should be full size at 300 dpi with all colors as CMYK.
• If you must send a native Word file, save to the older version of Word (.doc, NOT .docx) and make sure you include a complete set of any font files your document uses. Rename any default styles to custom names or the fonts and other settings will automatically convert to whatever our default styles are set to. Include a print-out so we know what it should look like, and be aware that additional charges may apply, since we will have to install your fonts and disable any of our own with similar names, etc. before opening your file.
• Note that Word is NOT a professional design program. As such, we can not guarantee professional results.

Publisher

• Save your final file as a .TIFF with 300 dpi resolution at 100% of the actual printed size. Be sure to Save As .TIFF for each page of your document, saving each with 'Page 1' or 'Page 2' in the file name. Go to File –> Save As –> then in 'Files of type' select .TIFF. Under the saving options, select 300 dpi format.

Other Software

• Must be saved as one of the following file types: .PSD .TIFF .EPS .JPG .PDF
• Must be at 300 dpi at full size, in a single layer, using the CMYK color space.