When you are ready to send in your project, please make sure you have included all of the following:
- If you are using Illustrator or InDesign, simply package the file. This will include all fonts and image links for you to send to us. If there is anything wrong with your document, the application will let you know. Instructions on how to package all files together for Illustrator can be found here, and for InDesign, here.
If you are unable to have your document automatically collect all of the included files for you, be sure to manually provide us with the following:
- Native design file (Adobe Photoshop / Illustrator / InDesign)
- All fonts if you haven’t converted them to paths (both the printer and screen font files – important!)
- All linked or embedded images (saved as CMYK, not RGB). All files must be created at 300 DPI for CMYK and Grayscale images and 1200 dots per inch for Bitmap TIFFs.
Here are a few more quick tips:
- For the sharpest text, it is best to create your type as vector elements (not pixel data, or rasterized text) unless you need to have an elaborate effect applied in Photoshop).
- Note that our standard rich black is 40% C, 30%M, 25%Y, and 100%K. Anything higher than that and the white text will not appear crisp.
- Do not use LZW compression when saving your TIFF files. If you are ever in doubt, feel free to contact our design department with any and all of your graphic and pre-press questions.
How to use templates:
Our templates have pre-existing registration and crop marks included in the file to save you from complex and tedious set-up time and to ensure that your layout conforms to our specifications. All you have to do is drop all of the components of your layout (images, text) into the templates and save the file! As long as you follow these four simple rules, you should be fine:
As long as you follow these four simple rules, you should be fine:
- Make sure the artwork extends to the bleed line
- Outline your text or supply us with the font files
- Make sure all images are of a high resolution (300 dots per inch for CMYK and Grayscale images and 1200 dots per inch for Bitmap TIFFs).
- Do not flatten the layers (keep the template on a separate layer from your artwork)
Use RGB? #
The printing process requires the use of either four process colors: CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) or specific Pantone colors. When your files are ready to be sent to Furnace, be sure they are all set to CMYK or a solid Pantone color.
RGB color mode was designed to work with cameras, display monitors and televisions, not printed matter.
The RGB color scheme has a greater range of colors than CMYK and can produce colors that are more vivid and vibrant which is needed for screens. These colors are beyond the range of CMYK to reproduce and will come out darker and more dull in print than what is seen on the monitor or display.
Moral of the story, convert your RGB images to CMYK in your image editing software, color correct them to make them look exactly like you want and then submit them to us
What is bleed?
When cutting the paper stock containing your printed items, the blade may shift the paper stock ever so slightly. To prevent small white gaps at the edge of your print, it is required that all graphics around the edge of the page extend at least 1/8″ past the cut lines