For complex projects, we prefer to receive native application files (not PDF’s) to provide you with the best printing experience possible. However, if submitting a PDF for a job, please ensure it is converted to 4 color CMYK (with the exception of dielines and actual spot ink colors).
- When exporting PDFs from InDesign, be sure to select Adobe PDF (Print), and NOT Adobe PDF (Interactive).
- Include any embedded fonts and convert protected fonts to outlines if necessary.
- Submit any booklets as Pages instead of Spreads.
- Compatibility: Save as Acrobat 7 or higher -- despite what other printers might use, we prefer files that are NOT flattened (saved in Acrobat 4 or with PDF/X-1a standard) as we are using the latest Adobe PDF rendering engine on our RIP which supports transparent objects.
- Compression: Use 300 ppi color images with Bicubic Downsampling. Set compression to Automatic (JPEG) and set Image Quality to Maximum.
- Marks and Bleeds: Include Crop Marks and make sure Bleed is turned on (and that 0.125 in or 0.25 inches is specified.). Do NOT use Bleed Marks as this sometimes confuses the cutter.
- Output: User Convert to Destination (Preserve Numbers) and use our GRACoL2013_CRPC6 V2 color profile (Click here to download our color profile/presets package). If this profile is unavailable, use “U.S. Sheetfed Coated v2”. Do NOT use SWOP as this is intended for web presses on thin paper with a low ink limit.
- Ink Manager (under Output): Be sure to check the box to convert “All Spots to Process” -- this will change all the icons on the spot colors to a 4-color icon. If you have a dieline, spot coating, or the job uses any spot colors please then uncheck the icon next to those items to ensure they output correctly.
- After you have all these settings correct, you can hit “Save Preset” and name it “SunDance Final Output”. Then you can re-use this preset at a later time.