Our preferred platform is Apple Macintosh. Accepted file formats created in applications of Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, and QuarkXpress. We do work with Windows based files in the same applications but with occasional font issues. Applications that can save or export files as EPS or AI file formats are also acceptable. We do accept JPEG or TIFF files but because these formats are not vector artwork the files may need to be recreated if the resolution quality is not at least 300dpi.
PDF Files:
|
Unless a PDF file is being sent as a proof only,
the following will be required:
- Do not turn on any security features
- Do not send embedded raster images unless you also send the linked source files
- Vector images are acceptable
- Do not embed the fonts, send the fonts or convert the type to outlines
- Do not send CMYK file formats but rather Pantone SPOT color specifications
- PDF files need to be actual size, do not scale when creating the PDF file
|
Colors:
|
- Pantone SPOT color specifications are almost exclusively used but in some rare cases we do print in Process colors
- Please assign SPOT colors from the Pantone Matching System swatch
- You can use names such as red or blue but please assign the exact PMS color number of your choice
- Please avoid CMYK or RGB color systems
- Placed JPEG or TIFF images need to be in grayscale or bitmapped in order to be SPOT colored in another program
- Please make sure your files color separate properly
- All PMS colors are available but there may be at an additional cost. Colors selected from our Stock Colors for Paper Rx Bags listing or Stock Colors for Rx Labels and Blister Cards listing are offered at no additional cost.
- Colors requested not found on the stock color listings are available but will incur a one-time charge that will not be accessed on repeat orders
|
Disk Media:
|
DVD & CD discs |
Sending Files
Electronically:
|
We accept files through the internet via email attachment and FTP/HTTP transfer. Email attachments must not exceed 10MB. For larger files please contact us at 1-800-798-1401 to receive a FTP username and password or register to create an account online and access FTP services. |
Dimensions:
|
Make sure that the graphic file is in proportion to what the finished piece will be. Also be sure to ask us about certain finishing considerations that might affect the layout of your file. Die sheets with measurements are available for labels and cards, templates for bags |
Resolutions:
|
Please make sure your file images are at least 300dpi |
Hardcopy:
|
Please send a color printout of the file, with the dimensions clearly marked. Remember to note Pantone Matching System colors being used |
Misc:
|
Rule weights should be a minimum of .5 point, 1 point in reverse. Paper bags are printed at 85 lpi/2400 dpi. Labels are printed at 100 lpi/2400 dpi |
Paper Prescription Bags with Advertisements
Paper prescription bags with advertisements have copy that is going to be changed continuously and thus have special considerations with artwork submission
Artwork for advertising bags will need to be setup for output to film
Set up ads on Paper Prescription Bag Templates within your application program for the desired bag size. You can delete the template before sending,but keep the crop marks. All crop marks should be in registration. Ifyou have reorder or print broker information, it should be placed upsidedown at the bottom of the front of the bag where the flap will fold over.
We recommend artwork be in vector format for the best quality. The process of rasterisation to artwork is acceptable as long as the resolution is high enough and the colors are SPOT colored when placed in the page layout program. We suggest scanning images at 300dpi. If an image is going to be enlarged, then the resolution should also be increased. We output files at 2400 dpi and 85 lpi. This means there may be dots visible on any type or logos that are rasterized, or in other words, will not be smooth. We suggest typesetting and drawing in a vector program whenever possible.
It is very important that the colors separate properly. Please use the pantone coated library and make sure that everything is named with only one version of that color. For instance, Pantone 199 C will print on a different plate than Pantone 199 U. Please review our listing of Stock Colors for Paper Prescription Bags that can be used without additional ink charges. If you have a color laser printer, it is helpful to print your file as separations to check that indeed all of your separations are correct.
Photos / Gradients: We have found that photos and gradients look best when there is a continuous tone and no drop off to black or white. In order to keep a smooth gradation, please adjust all photos and gradients to the range of 8%-85%. There should be no 100% black or 0% white. Do not use LZW compression when saving image files.
Please convert all type to curves/outlines if possible. If using a page layout program such as Quark, please send all of the fonts used including both the screen and postscript fonts. Do not create text with attributes, such as bold or italic, use the specific font (Times bold or Times italic). Please send all links along with the files in case we need to access them.
We do not recommend type sized below 5pt, as it may not be legible. We also recommend not going below 6pt type in a reverse and do not make the type bold as it will close up a bit in the printing process. Add another point to both when using Serif type. Serifs can be very thin and will disappear quickly as type gets smaller or is reversed.
Do not send color JPEGs or TIFFs as they do not separate into spot color. They need to be converted to grayscale and placed into a page layout program to assign a SPOT color. If the program you are using does not allow this, you can send us a black and white file of each color separation. To accomplish this you will have to create your file in grayscale instead of color. Make sure it is on the template and keep the crop marks. You would then save a copy of each color that you want printed. Name each file the color that it will be printing in and only the copy that will be printing in that color. For example, if you are printing red and blue, you would have a file named red with only the copy that will be printing red and a file named blue with only the copy that prints blue. You can delete the template but keep the crop marks. These files may be saved in PDF or TIFF formats. If saved in JPEG format the quality may be reduced. Please also send a color composite just to have a color proof to go to press with.
|