U.S. Press Direct® - Marketing Tools

Whether it's full-color postcards, brochures or catalogs, however you want to reach your customers, US Press is here to help!

U.S. Press Direct®'s Resources will keep you up to date on U.S. Press Direct® can help you meet your business needs.

The latest in tips and tricks to get your customers to buy from you.

U.S. Press Direct® has been providing customers with high quality color printing since 1981.

POSTCARDS

FLYERS

FOLDED BROCHURES

RACK BROCHURES

POSTERS

PRESENTATION FOLDERS

CATALOGS

RESOURCES

Resources

Marketing Tools

Technical Tools

Mailing Guidelines

Uploading Files Using FTP

Adobe Illustrator®

Call for latest version available
Windows or Mac OS versions
Disk: ZIP, JAZ, 3.5" Floppy, or CD
Send all Adobe Illustrator documents, images, and fonts

Remember: If we are missing anything, this may delay your order.

Step 1: Document Size

File > Document Setup...

Adjust your document to one of the following sizes:

Business Postcards = 6" x 4", 6" x 8"
Catalog Sheets = 8.5" x 11"
Folded Brochures = See folding setups on prepress references page
Rack Brochures = 4" x 9", 8" x 9" (folds to 4" x 9")
Print Posters = 11" x 17", 18" x 24"
Catalog Printing Company = 8.5" x 11", 5.5" x 8.5", 4" x 9"

IN THE ZONE

	Safe Zone = 1/8" margin from the edge of the page
	Danger Zone = Area outside the 1/8" margin
	Bleed = 1/8" past the edge of the page

If you intend to have an image completely cover a front or back side of your document, then you need to be sure that the image extends (bleeds) at least 1/8" over the edge of the page. Do not end it at page edge (trim) or white will show on the edges.

Step 2: Images

File > Document Info > Linked Images

	All images are CMYK color mode
	Tiff or an EPS (Do Not send Jpegs, Picts, Gifs, etc.)
	300 dpi resolution (or 1,200 dpi for b/w line art)
	Submit all images (Verify current link status)

SCALING IMAGES

If you scale the image after importing it into Illustrator, the effective resolution will change. If you scaled the image up to 200% in Illustrator, then the final resolution will be 150 dpi and considered low resolution.

LINKED IMAGES

Confirm the status of all linked images before you submit your files. No image link status should display "Modified" or "Missing".

Step 3: Color

Window > Show Color

	Fill colors used in Illustrator are CMYK
	Stroke colors used in Illustrator are CMYK
	Gradient colors used in Illustrator are CMYK

COLOR SHIFTS

There is a color-shift when converting from RGB to CMYK. Do not trust the colors on your monitor. We recommend that you proof your job at a local service bureau and get a calibrated color proof (Iris or Dupont Waterproof).

Step 4: Fonts

Type > Create Outlines

Submit all fonts used in layout as a backup

CONVERTING FONTS TO OUTLINES

When submitting an Illustrator Document you may convert the fonts to outlines. All fonts will now be considered vector art. If you do not convert your fonts to outlines, be sure to send all fonts used in your layout.

Step 5: Save As

File > Save As

Illustrator AI Format

1) Select Illustrator AI Format (default)
2) Click Save AI Format
3) Click OK

File > Save As EPS

Illustrator EPS Format

Click Save EPS Format
1) Set Compatibility
2) Select 8-bit IBM PC or Macintosh
3) Select Include Placed Files, Document Thumbnails, Document Fonts, CMYK PostScript
4) PostScript Level 2
5) Click OK

Step 6: Submit Files

	Call your Sales Representative to verify files are ready to send by disk or FTP
	Fill out the Job Information Form carefully
	Mail or FTP the files along with a current mock-up to U.S. Press
	Remember: if we are missing anything, this may delay your order.