U.S. Press Direct® - Technical Tools

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

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Uploading Files Using FTP

Adobe Photoshop®

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

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

Step 1: Document Size

File > Document Setup...

Plan ahead when using Photoshop

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

Image > Image Size

	300 dpi resolution (or 1,200 dpi for b/w line art)
	300 dpi resolution (or 1,200 dpi for b/w line art) after resizing
	Submit all images (Verify current link status)

IMAGE SIZE

All images should be 300 dpi resolution or 1,200 dpi resolution for b/w line art.

SCALING IMAGES

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

Step 3: Color

Window > Show Color

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

Submit all fonts used in layout as a backup

FONTS TO BITMAP

When submitting a Photoshop tiff or eps all fonts become part of the bitmap artwork. Be sure to double check all spelling and punctuation. It is a good idea to send all fonts used in bitmap images as a back up.

Step 5: Save As

File > Save As

Photoshop TIF Format

1) Select Photoshop TIF Format
2) Select Mac or IBM Byte Order
2) Click OK

Photoshop EPS Format

1) Select Photoshop EPS Format
2) Select Preview Macintosh (8 bits/pixel)
3) Select Binary Encoding
4) Click OK

Photoshop EPS Clipping Path

1) Select Window > Show Paths
2) Select the Clipping Path menu
3) Select Path to use for clipping
4) Set Flatness to 0.2 Device Pixels
5) Click OK
6) Repeat Photoshop EPS Format steps listed above to save clipping path changes

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.