File Types

• Whenever possible, please provide us with native files.
• Color Graphics accepts the following file types:

Fonts

• All fonts used in the layout should be collected and included with the project files.
• Be sure to include fonts used in linked images.
• If the layout is being created on a Microsoft® Windows platform, all fonts should be outlined.

Resolution

• Whenever possible use vector art as it can be enlarged to any size with no reduction in image quality.
• DO NOT up sample or interpolate images. Our RIP system will do a better job with image interpolation.
• For pieces that will be viewed at less than 5 feet, 200-300 dpi (dots per inch) is recommended.
• If the finished piece will be viewed at 5-25 feet, 72-150 dpi will be fine.
• Over 25 feet, the resolution can be as low as 20-50 dpi.

Color Matching (critical colors)

• Critical colors should be called out as Pantone® Solid Coated colors. DO NOT use Pantone® Uncoated colors or Pantone® Metallic colors.
• Please remove unused spot colors from the swatch palette.
• Color Graphics offers color correction services. Color Graphics will be happy to make adjustments if your file requires changes to achieve a color other than what was provided in your file. Nominal fees will apply to all color work done by Color Graphics.
• Scans are color matched to original unless told to do otherwise. Any file manipulation, severe color correction, or retouching will incur additional charges.

Color Space

• If your file will be printed on Photo Paper, Duratrans, or Flex material you can set the file up using RGB or CMYK. RGB has a wider print gamut, which will generally allow you to achieve brighter colors than CMYK files.
• If your file will be printed on vinyl, banner, or rigid material, it will be printed in CMYK. If your files are provided to us in RGB we can still print them, however there will be a slight color shift when converted from RGB to CMYK. For more predictable results, we recommend that you set up these files in CMYK prior to file submission.

Bleed

• As a general rule, please provide at least .125” bleed on each edge of your file. It is much easier to include bleed at the beginning than it is to add it in later.

Black

• For small text (Under 20pt.) 100% black will print best.
• For large text (Over 20pt.) we recommend using a rich black. Rich black is a mix of all colors which will produce a nice, strong, dense black. We use the following recipe for our rich black: 60%C, 40%M, 40%Y, 100%K. Feel free to use whatever mixture of colors you would like to as some color mixtures produce warmer or cooler tones in the black.
• It is important to note that by default Adobe InDesign overprints 100% black onto whatever is behind it (If your file has a checkered background and you make a large circle that is 100% black, there is a good chance you will see the checkered background through the black). To fix this, use a rich black (recommended) or set your black to 99%.