File Preparation Basics
What program should I use to create my file?
Preferred Programs:
- Adobe PageMaker
- Quark Xpress
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Acrobat (PDF files)
- PostScript (.ps files)
Other Supported Programs
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Publisher
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Access
- Word Perfect
- PowerPoint
- Lotus
Don’t see the program you are using? Contact us for suggestions on how to save your file in a compatible format.
What to send us
We accept electronic files by modem, e-mail, ftp, zip, cd, and diskette. We utilize both Macintosh and IBM compatible platforms.
Tips for Electronic File Preparation:
- When creating an Adobe Illustrator file, convert your type to outlines to avoid having any problems with your fonts.
- When creating a 4-color process job, make sure your color scans are set to CMYK mode, not RGB.
- When using an image at a larger size than the original, make the enlargement when you scan the image rather than making the enlargement when you place the image in your document. Use proportional scaling to size your images.
- Put only one job on your disk with only the files needed for that job.
- Print out a disk directory and highlight the name of the file to be printed.
- Most files can be converted to a PDF file, thus reducing the possibility of difficulties and errors in producing your job. See How to Create a PDF File.
- When making PDF or PS files, include crop marks when possible.
You may also need to include:
- Graphics - photos, logos, line art, etc.
- Avoid selecting photos that are dark.
- Black and White line art should be scanned at a minimum of 600 dpi (dots per inch)
- Halftones and duotones should be scanned at a minimum of 300 dpi
- 4-color scans should be scanned at a minimum of 350 dpi. Document Services offers scanning services of both images and text.
- Fonts - Send the fonts you used in your document.
- Laser print-out - This will provide a reference for us so that page and section breaks are properly located. If your final product is two or three colors, mark the color breaks on your laser copy. Simply highlight the portions of the text and images and state which color the highlighted portion should be.
- A folded sample if your output will be folded.
- CTP (Computer to Plate) - imaging files at up to 2540 dpi onto photographic plates. See Typesetting to film for more details.
- Disk and file conversion - convert files from one software to another. Some formatting may be lost with some file combinations.
- Publish your printed pieces on CD-ROM or have them prepared for web publication.
Output formats
- Laser printing - print files from an IBM-compatible or Macintosh computer to paper.
- CTP (Computer to Plate) - imaging files at up to 2540 dpi onto photographic plates. See Typesetting to film for more details.
- Disk and file conversion - convert files from one software to another. Some formatting may be lost with some file combinations.
- Publish your printed pieces on CD-ROM or have them prepared for web publication
Costs
Prepress costs are based on the following:
- number of pages submitted
- number of downloadable fonts
- type of material
- application
- amount of time it takes to print a given file
One cost factor you control is late-stage changes and corrections. Proof your work and make changes before you send us a disk.
If you make changes after we begin working on the publication, we must repeat production steps. This costs you time and money. Files that must be reprinted because of incorrect or incomplete information are charged full labor and material costs.
Contact our estimating department for price estimates and cost saving tips early in the process of preparing your files for print.
How to create a PDF file
If you have Adobe Acrobat Distiller installed on your PC:
- While in your Document, click print
- Select Adobe pdf from the list of printers
If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Distiller, purchase Acrobat Professional, which will automatically install Acrobat Distiller. See Adobe Acrobat for information on ordering through ITS.
Or download PrimoPDF, a free application that converts your file to a pdf.
Or you can create Adobe pdf files on-line. Go to https://createpdf.adobe.com/index.pl/1523987375.90167?BP=IE&v=AHP and subscribe to the service or try the service for free.
Send your pdf file to QuickPrint@niu.edu for Quick Print Requests. Reference the QuickPrint form number on your request form.
