On Overview on what kinds of graphics we need
from you to achieve a successful printing project

I have a business card that I designed and want to send it as an attachment.
Can I send you my file?

Since I'm a printer and must deal with all kinds of files,
I have seen great graphics that cannot go to the press and
have to be recreated. If it is simple enough, we are glad to
do that for you. If it is complex, we cannot recreate it, and you
will have to spend some time or money to make your graphic printable.

To save time and money in the future, here's some basic information,
and, at the bottom of this page, a rule I suggest you put into effect.

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1) jpeg and gif files are for viewing on the web. They are bad graphics for printing
Most jpegs are saved as 72 dpi (low quality) for fast loading and cannot go to press.
gifs become badly bitmapped, again, not good for the press

2) Tiff, bmp, and eps files are for printing. These are good graphics for printing
tiff files are usually not editable, and can be very large, but there are
some programs that require tif images, like MSWord. eps files can be edited,
and this is my preference when going to press. Send an email with your file as an attachment






IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER: you cannot open a low quality jpeg or gif file and
then save it as tif or eps. Too much "graphic information" was lost when the
file was saved. It's still a jpeg or gif and it's still not going to print well.




So here's the rule
**Everytime** you create a graphic, scan a photo, or save a digital photo,
if you intend it to be printed on a printing press, or uploaded to a web page,
do this: before you close the file, 1) save an original file with everthing in
place that you can come back to and edit whenever necessary.



Then, while the file is open, select all the text and convert
it to outlines or curves, 2) save this file as eps, then,
3) export one file as a high quality jpeg,
4) another one as a low quality jpeg,
5) another one as gif,
6) and another one as tiff.

Keep all 6 of the files in a folder on your harddrive, and
when your printer and/or your website master needs
your logo, or a photo, you will be prepared.



Lastly, if and when you edit your original file, and save new ones,
GET RID OF the OLD FILES. This accomplishes two things,
it saves room on your hard drive, and you know for sure that
the files you have are correct and up to date.

We have a rule in printing, if it exists and it's wrong, it will get printed.