Settings for Repro

Settings for Repro – General Guidelines and Assistance

1. All files should be created in CMYK for four colour process work rather than RGB if using more professional solutions for generating artwork. Quark and InDesign fully support CMYK as a premier industry package. Of course some of the cheaper end packages such as Word cannot support CMYK and should be avoided if at all possible for colour work. However if that is all you have, please call us, as we have powerful software available that can enhance and ensure Word files can support CMYK.
   
   
2. Try and ensure that all picture files and bitmapped graphics such as colour logos are in the correct colour model. E.g. CMYK or Greyscale. Please try and avoid RGB at all times, although again the problem with Word will impact on this matter. Again we do have software that will enable us to colour manage word files.
   
   
3. All JPEG, TIFF and other graphic formats should be saved to a minimum of 300dpi. Anything less will deteriorate the output quality. However we do have some rather special and adaptive resolution software that can enhance the resolution within certain limits. Please be aware that importing 300dpi pictures into Word will import as a lower resolution file. In this instance we recommend that when saving files to CD or other medium you include an original copy of the picture file as well as the embedded picture in the Word document.
   
   
4. Our downloadable PDF settings should be used at all times, but if you are in a hurry, this is what we will need from Distiller standard settings. Please don’t forget that your PDF must be set to 3mm bleed even if no bleed is necessary and it is vital that you do not include trim marks in the PDF.
   
   

   PDF Settings: TSG_CMYK.zip TSG_SPOT.zip

   
   
   
5. All PDF proofing from us is made directly from the Plate Data files so what you see on the proof is actually on the plate. There is no compromising of quality here. We can supply either page proofs or fully imposed sections for viewing and if you have the full version of Acrobat you can even make alterations and place back in our workflow.
   
   
6. Make sure that all A5 output work is set to TRUE A5.
   True A5 Portrait is 210mm deep x 148.5mm wide
   True A5 Landscape is 148.5mm deep x 210mm wide
   Please avoid using the undersize A5 which is specified in a number of software packages, The half millimetre setting is actually crucial especially for tight graphic registration and trapping across spreads.
   
   
7. You do not have to set any trapping values within your files. This is particularly relevant to Quark and InDesign. We have complex settings within our own PDF workflow designed to achieve maximum quality at press stage so all application trapping is irrelevant.
   
   
8. Try and avoid embedding any colour profiles within images other than Euroscale Coated v2 or Euroscale Uncoated v2. SWOP or any other non European profiles can cause certain issues with colour shift and saturation levels and hence can generate unpredictable results. As output at TSG is object based, colour profiling is actually irrelevant as we strip out all details and apply our own settings to ensure correct dot gain and other parameters are set correctly for our platesetters, proofing and printing presses.
   
   
9. Pantone colours are fully supported with all the models supplied by Pantone inc over the years, but are you aware that Pantone from Quark 4 is very different from Quark 6 or 7. This is a Pantone specification change so please ensure that correct models are used when creating artwork. We cannot guarantee any colour shift problems as our systems are set for the very latest models. This is particularly relevant if you specify a Pantone and then separate to CMYK. Pantone CV or CVU will produce completely different separation values to using Pantone C or U. Also be aware that you should now be using Euro Pantone to Process values rather than American settings. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have concerns on this matter, we are here to help and ensure you get the output you need.
   
   

Repro output need not be a problem. Our Creative Director has 23 years of colour management and repro experience and is a leading authority in the UK on how to implement colour control throughout the production process effectively. Just contact us and output will be trouble free.