Artwork Requirements

Supported Applications

All digital artwork should be submitted using one of the following applications:

• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe Illustrator
• Quark XPress
• Adobe Acrobat (PDF)

Application Settings

Files should be sized to the final page size of the project. You may select "readers spreads" to view your layout on screen, but please export single pages when creating a PDF. Be sure to properly configure the file for spot or process color, and include the supporting source files shown below. You may also want to visit our Tips and Tricks and Layout Guidelines pages for additional tips to prepare your file correctly.

Submitting Color Accurate Digital Artwork

Please see our section on Color Management.

Resolution

The recommended photo resolution for offset production is 300dpi. Line art images should be 600dpi. There is no need to down-sample larger images unless they make it difficult for you to work with your document. TigerPress will flag any images under 200dpi for your review during the proofing process. Be sure to account for any scaling you apply in your layout application.

Layout

The page/document size in your layout software should be set to the size of a single page in your document. This is known as the Page Size for estimating purposes. In most cases, this will also be your Finished Size. Some newsletters, however, may have a final fold that will make the finished size smaller than the page size. The Flat Size of your project is measured with your document open flat on a table and should be double your page size.

• Margins - multiple page documents should have an absolute minimum of 1/4" margin on all sides. Any items that bleed (touch the edge of a page) must extend past the edge a full 1/8".
• Creep - DO NOT add creep to your layout. TigerPress will add it automatically if deemed necessary.
• Reader and Printer Spreads - DO NOT combine multiple pages into a spread. All artwork should be provided as single pages. It is fine to use the "readers spreads" feature of your layout software to view the pages together as long as your provide your finished artwork as single pages.
• Perfect Bound Crossovers - If possible, crossovers should be avoided in perfect bound books because part of the image will get lost in the binding. If crossovers are desired, it is recommended that you move the photo out 1/8" on each page for interior pages and 1/4" for the inside front and inside back cover. The image should still continue to the binding edge. It will seem like the image is going to repeat, but that portion will be lost in the binding.

Supporting Documents

All supporting documents should be provided as follows:

• Art - Vector art files should be saved as encapsulated postscript (.EPS) files. Any embedded fonts should be converted to paths and any embedded bitmap files should be CMYK. Be sure to reference correct Pantone colors in your file for spot color jobs.
• Bit mapped Art - Bit mapped art files should be saved as .TIF or Photoshop .EPS files and may use LZW compression. Be sure to provide CMYK or Grayscale images. Duotones should reference the correct spot color. Avoid .JPG, .BMP, .GIF, .WMF, and .PICT files.
• Fonts - Adobe Type I, TrueType or OpenType fonts may be used. Be sure to include both screen and printer fonts if using Type I. Avoid Multiple Master fonts if possible. Any fonts embedded in .EPS files should be converted to paths.

Other File Formats

We understand that other applications can be used to create digital artwork. Though we recommend using Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, QuarkXpress and Adobe Acrobat PDF for your files, TigerPress will attempt to support any other applications and file formats that you provide. Please be advised that additional charges may apply.