File Size ( Final Trim)

1. Make sure documents are built using actual finished trim size.

2. Build document in reader, not printer, spreads
               • Do not use oversized documents or out-of-center pages.
               • Make sure all art and or images that touch the edge of the trimmed page
                 have an extra 1/8 inch extended beyond the document edge for bleed.
               • Margins shoukld be at least 1/8 inch from document edge.
               • Marks should be set to centered and set to 12 pt ( .125”) offset.

Colors

1. Swatches menu, select unused colors, and trash them.

2. Check whether spot colors are present.

Rule thickness

1. Do not use hairline rules or zero point rules. Generally, half-point (.5 pt) is the minimum. Rules less than .5 pt tend to be problematic.

Binding Style/Creep

1. Perfect Bound, saddle stitch, wiro, plasticoil

Gradient Blends/ Vignettes

1. Expect Quark and Illustrator blends to band (or stairstep).

2. To ensure smooth blends create them in Photoshop and apply a small amount (3-6 units) of noise in order to randomly scatter and break-up the bands. Gaussian blur may also be needed in conjunction with noise.

Clipping Paths/ Masks

1. It is not acceptable to use the magic wand in Photoshop to create a selection and then make that selection a path or mask. This creates masks that are “jagged” or “notched” when output.

Photos/ Images

1. The resolution for all photos should be 300 dpi when placed.

Fonts

1. True Type fonts should be avoided as they are unpredictable during output (re-flow, bold type becoming plain, etc.). See collect-for-output information.

Rich Blacks

1. When wanting to create a deeper and richer black beyond that of a standard single black ink we recommend using the following screen mix: 60% Cyan / 40% Magenta / 20% Yellow / 100% Black.

Spot Varnishes

1. When photo images are to be varnished, create the varnish as a spot color channel in Photoshop and rename the spot color channel to VARNISH (spot color channels will overprint by default).

Collecting for Output

1. Along with the layout file (or mechanical) always submit all fonts (both screen and printer) and linked graphics. Only send SWCG  the files we need to output the job. Indesign uses a function called “package” under the file menu. Include fonts in package. Quark uses “collect-for-output”.