Solutions to Common Problems (pg 2)
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Be Careful Using Photoshop for Page Layout - Building Photoshop files with text and other placed images is getting easier due to upgrade improvements. But, you lose the ability to easily trap your files when they are built entirely in Photoshop or some other pixel-based program. Signature's Prinergy automated trap system will trap almost anything including two separate Photoshop files that are touching. But, like other trap systems, it cannot trap a file that is one continuous tone. Trapping in Photoshop must be done manually while the file is being created. Adding trap after is difficult. For example, if you place blue type on top of a yellow background in Photoshop, you need to slightly extend the yellow into the blue type. This is what would happen if the trap software could go in and trap that area. Without this overlap, the slight shifting that naturally occurs on press between colors will cause a white halo to appear around one side of the type. This is the paper showing through. Trap must be applied to all objects that don't have any colors in common. Dark blue type on a light blue background would be OK because these objects would have cyan in common. When in doubt, apply trap. Trapping is a complicated process which is why printers invest in sophisticated equipment to take care of it. If you are unsure of how to manually trap a Photoshop file, talk to one of our customer service representatives. We will get back to you with an answer in a very timely manner. Also, build as much of your design as possible in a page layout program or drawing program. These files can be trapped with the automated trapping equipment.
Image/Photo Resolution Quality is SOoo Important to your Project - Prepress output devices print at very high resolutions. Signature's CTP platesetter can go as high as 4,000 dpi; the standard is 2400 dpi for 200 line screen. The general rule is the pixels per inch in a scan should be 1.5 to 2 times the line screen. It is better to error on the high side, so 400 ppi would be appropriate for 200 line screen. Low resolution scans will print grainy or pixelated when output to high-end devices. Resizing scans up will also reduce the resolution. A scan placed at 200% has half the resolution of the original. Monitors and laser printers are generally not a good way to judge image quality. Monitors are only 72 or 96 dpi and most laser printers range from 300 to 600 dpi., well below the 2400 dpi in an imagesetter. Pay attention to the image size information and if possible, use a preflight program to warn of low resolution files. Note: Scanning at resolutions higher then 2 times the linescreen doesn't improve the quality of your scan, it just makes the file size bigger and adds unnecessary processing time when the file is RIPing. Do this only if you are unsure of the size needed or if you will be reusing the scan in other projects.
Check Postal Requirements BEFORE you Design - If you're doing any projects that will need mailing, we've included a link to the US Post Office Web site. This is a useful tool if you are unsure about mail regulations. Some common errors include indicia and bar codes in the wrong spot, post cards that are too small or mailers that have the folds on the wrong end. LINK http://www.usps.com/directmail/
Know what the rules are before designing your mailer and don't hesitate to talk directly to the Post Office. They are very willing to help you plan your project and may find ways for you to save money.
YIKES! Don't Count on Your Desktop Printer to Show Accurate Color - Low-end color proofers do not show accurate color. The best way to judge color is to calibrate your equipment, use Pantone swatches and 4 color swatches and expect the high-end color proof from the printer to look different from your color lasers. Ask your printer to produce random color proofs of your scans if you want to see accurate color before the scans are assembled. When showing color lasers to customers, designers should explain the variance in colors between the different equipment. This will prevent surprises when the contract proof or printed piece is delivered.
