4am Marketing offers the design on any printed material as well as the set-up on imprinted items. Customers may wish to do their own design or ad so I have included a few tips that will hopefully ward off any issues before we receive the work.
We accept QuarkXpress and Indesign files as well as most photo files (such as PNG TIF, EPS and JPEG files). Please include all clip art, photos, logos etc., used in the ad.
We accept QuarkXpress and Indesign files as well as most photo files (such as PNG TIF, EPS and JPEG files). Please include all clip art, photos, logos etc., used in the ad.
Common Issues with Electronic Art
and how to prevent it from happening:
1. Files from the internet are often very low resolution. Images used from the internet are usually 72 dpi, we need at least 300 dpi for color files and 600 dpi for line art. If your original is blurry, the final print version will be the same. Clarity on your computer screen does not guarantee clarity in print.
2. Full color files should be set up as CMYK. We can usually convert from other color formats but often times colors will shift when converting. We recommend the original file be sent in CMYK so you'll have a better idea of what the finished product will look like. We are not responsible for color shifts after converting to CMYK. Also, in some instances when we ask for CMYK but are only doing a 2-color process and using ONLY Magenta and ONLY Black, please be aware that in some programs the color black is often made up using all 4 colors and magenta is often made up using all 4 colors. This will possibly cause the printing process to distort and some images or fonts may be lost. Please call for specifics if unsure.
3. Inadequate bleeds or margins. Please create your document a full .25 inch extra, keeping all text within that extra .25 inch.
4. Missing images or fonts. Be sure to include all linked images and fonts. If you supply an EPS from Illustrator, you can convert to paths or outlines to avoid having to send fonts. We always need all linked files. Although embedded files are not always required, it is best to include them in case there are issues with the file or modifications are necessary.
5. Incorrect Ad Size. Please be aware of the specific ad size for your ad. Ads may still be used but may be distorted or not fit correctly into the final product.
and how to prevent it from happening:
1. Files from the internet are often very low resolution. Images used from the internet are usually 72 dpi, we need at least 300 dpi for color files and 600 dpi for line art. If your original is blurry, the final print version will be the same. Clarity on your computer screen does not guarantee clarity in print.
2. Full color files should be set up as CMYK. We can usually convert from other color formats but often times colors will shift when converting. We recommend the original file be sent in CMYK so you'll have a better idea of what the finished product will look like. We are not responsible for color shifts after converting to CMYK. Also, in some instances when we ask for CMYK but are only doing a 2-color process and using ONLY Magenta and ONLY Black, please be aware that in some programs the color black is often made up using all 4 colors and magenta is often made up using all 4 colors. This will possibly cause the printing process to distort and some images or fonts may be lost. Please call for specifics if unsure.
3. Inadequate bleeds or margins. Please create your document a full .25 inch extra, keeping all text within that extra .25 inch.
4. Missing images or fonts. Be sure to include all linked images and fonts. If you supply an EPS from Illustrator, you can convert to paths or outlines to avoid having to send fonts. We always need all linked files. Although embedded files are not always required, it is best to include them in case there are issues with the file or modifications are necessary.
5. Incorrect Ad Size. Please be aware of the specific ad size for your ad. Ads may still be used but may be distorted or not fit correctly into the final product.
Design Terms:
Bleed: Any photograph, illustration or color background that runs off the edge of a page.
Bullets: Dots or other such elements used to designate items in a list.
PNG: Portable Network Graphics format is a completely loss-less compression. Gradients come out much smoother and do not have the distortions that may appear in a JPG.
EPS: Encapsulated Postscript -a file type used for computer graphics.
TIFF: Tagged-Image File Format -a file type used for computer graphics -another form of picture.
Gutter: The space between two facing pages usually where pages are bound.
JPG or JPEG: Joint Photographic Experts Group -a file type used for computer graphics -or the most commonly used form of picture.
Logo: A graphic which designates a company, product or publication name.
Resolution: The clarity or fineness of detail visible in the final printout usually expressed in dots per inch (dpi). Generally required at 300 dpi.
Reverse Type: White letters set against a solid background.
RGB: Red, Green and Blue colors that are used for photos on the web or for screen purposes.
CMYK: 4 standard ink colors -Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black- used in 4 color process printing. All colors are made up using a bit of each of these 4 colors. Example: Black is created using a portion of all 4 colors. When asking for 100% black, you must go into your settings to make sure your black is made up only of (K) black. When any other color is present, 'bleeding' throughout the project may occur at the printer. When asking for 100% Magenta, you must go into your settings to make sure your magenta is made up only of (M) magenta. When any other color is present, 'bleeding' throughout the project may occur at the printer.
Bleed: Any photograph, illustration or color background that runs off the edge of a page.
Bullets: Dots or other such elements used to designate items in a list.
PNG: Portable Network Graphics format is a completely loss-less compression. Gradients come out much smoother and do not have the distortions that may appear in a JPG.
EPS: Encapsulated Postscript -a file type used for computer graphics.
TIFF: Tagged-Image File Format -a file type used for computer graphics -another form of picture.
Gutter: The space between two facing pages usually where pages are bound.
JPG or JPEG: Joint Photographic Experts Group -a file type used for computer graphics -or the most commonly used form of picture.
Logo: A graphic which designates a company, product or publication name.
Resolution: The clarity or fineness of detail visible in the final printout usually expressed in dots per inch (dpi). Generally required at 300 dpi.
Reverse Type: White letters set against a solid background.
RGB: Red, Green and Blue colors that are used for photos on the web or for screen purposes.
CMYK: 4 standard ink colors -Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black- used in 4 color process printing. All colors are made up using a bit of each of these 4 colors. Example: Black is created using a portion of all 4 colors. When asking for 100% black, you must go into your settings to make sure your black is made up only of (K) black. When any other color is present, 'bleeding' throughout the project may occur at the printer. When asking for 100% Magenta, you must go into your settings to make sure your magenta is made up only of (M) magenta. When any other color is present, 'bleeding' throughout the project may occur at the printer.
Files Can Be E-mailed to Rachel@4amMarketing.com
It has been said that 4am is the hour of the soul. The hour when you are creatively at your best and when your spirit is most open to your thoughts and desires. It also just happens to be when I naturally wake up!
