Files: The good, the bad and just plain ugly!
Clients send me self created files that look marvelous on their high definition computer screen but these files look fuzzy when the files go to print.
Here are some tips that may help when sending files to your print vendor.
- The best quality comes from using TIFF, EPS or PDF files.
- To prevent ugly looking images, your file(s) should be a resolution no lower than 300 dpi(dots per inch) in grayscale or 1,200 dpi for bitmap (B/W) TIFF.
- Microsoft Office and Microsoft Publisher applications themselves are low-end graphics software. They will give you little to no control over several crucial settings and will not generate quality PDF’s.
- High-end graphics applications, such as Photoshop CS, Illustrator CS, Quark and Indesign are preferred. This software correctly creates PDF’s if you decide to submit them to your print vendor
- If submitting a PDF, please make the file quality setting as “Press Quality” or “High QualityPrint”.
- Avoid sending JPG files, but do so if that is the only format available. Get with a graphics professional when quality is a must. Customers should understand that JPG and low resolution Bitmap files will print as blurry images.
- Avoid scanning images or copying them from a website. This type of low resolution files look great on a computer screen but will not print very well.
To prevent frustrations when creating digital files, calling a professional print vendor for advice and help before creating your masterpiece.
