Providing Electronic Files
(text only files or complete art files)
Text Only Files
You can save time and money by providing electronic text files for your newsletter, brochure, etc... If you are preparing the text for your job on a computer it makes sense to provide those files and save the cost of having it re-typed. Back to Top
Formatting Your File(s)
Most, if not all, of the formatting (ie: bold, italic, tabs, font changes, indents) will be maintained during translation. However, some formatting can be translated incorrectly and render the file unusable, for that reason we ask that you keep formatting to a minimum. Remember, the only goal here is to “capture keystrokes” and save the time and cost of having to re-type your text. It will need to be formatted (or re-formatted) in the software program used for final output.
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Provide a Hard Copy
Provide a hard copy (a print out from your computer) of the file(s).
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Label Your Disk(s)
Indicated the file name, software program and version, and the platform (Mac or PC), and your name and phone number on the disk(s).
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Compatibility/File Format
Reference the accompaning translation list for compatible software.
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Other Options
If your software program is not included in the translation list below, you can still save some of the cost of re-typing by providing scannable text. Text is scannable if it is cleanly type on white paper in at least 10 point type size and is set in a simple typestyle, ie: arial, times roman, helvetica. Decorative typestyles do not scan well, ie: boulevard, zaph chancery, fancy scripts. Keep in mind that if your text is scanned in all capital letters it cannot be converted to upper and lower case letters. However, if it is scanned in upper and lower case letters it can be converted to capital letters.
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Storage Devices Accepted
• 3.5 floppy disk
• CD
• Zip disk 100 MG or smaller
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Electronic Artwork
Experienced graphics designers can provide electronic files of their camera-ready artwork. By providing electronic files that can be output directly to negatives and/or plates you can have more control over the finished product and can save time and money. This can be a highly technical process and should be left to trained professionals. However, here is a very basic list of requirements for providing electronic files for a service bureau.
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Basics
• Send all the correct fonts used in the file including fonts used in EPS artwork.
• Postscript fonts work best.
• Send all linked art files, ie: tif, eps, wmf, cmx, etc.
• Send a composite and color separations as printed from your printer.
• Make sure all photos are scanned at the appropriate resolution for your paper and quality requirements.
• Run your software program’s preflight utility, ie: Pagemaker’s Prepare for Service Bureau or Quark XPress’s Collect for Output utility.
• Do not send compressed files.
• Indicate output resolution desired.
• Make sure you are sending your files in a format and on a media storage device that is acceptable to the service bureau.
• Communicate clearly how you expect your files to turn out, ie: trapping, knock outs, screen angles, crop marks, registration marks, number of negatives to provide, color proofs, return of original files, turnaround, emulsion side, and output media.
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