If you don't see what you need, contact us for further instructions.
Acceptable File Formats
To ensure your order prints correctly, Two Day Printer’s preferred file format is PDF. However, we can accept files in the following formats: .tif, .jpg, .eps, Illustrator, Quark Xpress, and InDesign. Here are specific guidelines for each file type:
Print-Ready PDF (.pdf) - Many software programs will export files as PDF. We do NOT recommend this option unless you are confident that your conversion settings are correct for commercial printing. Otherwise we suggest you export or save your file as a POSTSCRIPT (.ps), then distill that POSTSCRIPT (.ps) through Acrobat Distiller with the PDF/X-3 setting. This will ensure that your fonts are all embedded and any graphic files are resampled correctly. Be sure your source file is created properly, with the document size being the finished trim size PLUS 1/4” all around (1/8” on each side) for bleeds. Any graphics or photos used in your PDF must follow the guidelines below for either TIFF, JPEG, or EPS.
TIFF (.tif) - (Photoshop or other photo editing software) Should be 300 dpi. Create the file at the correct size for trim (plus 1/8” on all sides if bleeds). If a job only bleeds off one edge, you should still include the bleed area on ALL four sides. Must be in CMYK.
JPEG (.jpg) - (Photoshop or other photo editing software) Should be 300 dpi. Create the file at the correct size for trim (plus 1/8” on all sides if bleeds). If a job only bleeds off one edge, you should still include the bleed area on ALL four sides. Must be in CMYK. Your image should be saved at the maximum setting (12).
EPS (.eps) - (Illustrator) Set all fonts to outlines (curves). Be certain that any placed images are converted from RGB or spot color to CMYK and they must be embedded. Create the file at the correct size for trim (plus 1/8” on all sides if bleeds). If a job only bleeds off one edge, you should still include the bleed area on ALL four sides.
Illustrator (.ia) - Set all fonts to outlines (curves). Be certain that any placed images are converted from RGB or spot color to CMYK and they must be embedded. Create the file at the correct size for trim (plus 1/8” on all sides if bleeds). If a job only bleeds off one edge, you should still include the bleed area on ALL four sides.
Quark Xpress and InDesign CS3 - Create the file at the correct size for trim (plus 1/8” on all sides if bleeds). Must be in CMYK. Be certain that any placed images are converted from RGB or spot color to CMYK. Include all fonts, linked photos and graphics with your document.
Fonts
Fonts used in TIF, JPEG, EPS, and AI documents must either be turned to outlines, flattened or embedded. Fonts used in Quark and InDesign documents may need to be sent to us upon request.
Image Resolution
The optimum resolution for all files is 300 dpi. Even if your job contains black and white images, they should be saved as greyscale at 300 dpi. All images should be included at 100% scale (of the print size) and must be submitted in TIFF format without layers (flattened) or in JPEG format with the setting set to maximum. Excessive image resolutions (beyond 300 dpi) is not necessary and will only dramatically increase the file size, and in most cases, will not improve the print quality.
Even if your image is high resolution, you’ll still need to save it in the correcty with your image software. The color printing process only uses CMYK. RGB colors converted automatically in the printing process may have unexpected results. Two Day Printer will not be responsible for undesirable colors stemming from residual RGB images. They must all be converted to CMYK colors.
Digital Camera Images
Start with a good image. Before taking pictures from a digital camera, make sure the camera is set at a high resolution to result in 300 PPI at the intended photo print size. Most cameras have various settings for resolutions. The highest resolution for your camera depends on how many megapixels it has. You cannot increase the resolution of a photo after it is taken, except by reducing its dimensions.
The chart below show examples of print dimensions with their recommended resolution size:
| Maximum Print Size | Minimum Image Resolution |
|---|---|
| 3.5 x 2 | 1050p x 600p |
| 4 x 6 | 1200p x 1800p |
| 5 x 7 | 1500p x 2100p |
| 8.5 x 11 | 2550p x 3300p |
Note: RGB colors are used by most digital cameras and must be converted to CMYK colors in photo editing software before printing.
Internet Images
Images found on the Internet are typically at a resolution of 72ppi in addition to being RGB. This resolution is much too low for quality printing and can produce very poor results. There's also a possibility that photos downloaded from the internet infringes on a copyright. Two Day Printer recommends purchasing quality, royalty-free images from reputable sources.
CMYK vs. RGB
Color space is one of the most often misunderstood terms. Simply put, the offset printing process prints color in the CMYK range. Computer monitors display their colors in the RGB range. When RGB is converted to CMYK, which is the standard by which all process color printing is currently done, some RGB colors will be out of gamut or lost in the conversion process. Two Day Printer’s workflow will automatically convert any RGB images to CMYK, but the results may not be what is expected. We recommend you convert all images to CMYK prior to sending. This also includes any placed bitmap images. That way you will have a better idea of how they will actually print. Two Day Printer will not be responsible for undesirable colors stemming color conversion.
Rich Black
In 4 color process printing large areas of black can appear thin or washed out due to only one layer of ink being put down. To compensate for this ‘rich black’ should be used for large black solids. Two Day Printer specifies a formula of 40% cyan, 20% magenta, 20% yellow and 100% black to produce a neutral rich black.
Black Text
Type is another matter. To assure clean appearing black text, type less than 36 points high should be sent as black only (100% k) with no other color mixed in. Even for typefaces over 36 points rich black should only be used where the face is bold or blocky. Type to print in colors other than black does not have any special requirements.
Bleeds and Crop Marks
The document size for a product without bleeds should match the finished size of the product. Example: a 4”x6” postcard with no bleeds would have a document size of 4”x6”. For products with bleeds, you should allow 1/8” beyond the trim on each side. Example: an 8-1/2” x 11” sheet with bleeds would have a document size of 8- 3/4” x 11-1/4”. Live matter should be positioned 1/4” in from trim. We do not require any crop marks, printer marks or color bars on your document.
Preparation for Folding
The setup for most folded jobs is logical. If you require a half fold, your document would be divided into two equal panels. Create a ‘dummy’ of your job before submitting it to be sure front and back line up as expected (one or more of the ‘quarters’ may need to be positioned upside down). For a tri-fold, adjust the panels so the first folded panel is 1/16” shorter than the other two. In addition, if your tri-folded job is vertical instead of horizontal, you may need to flip the copy on one or more of the panels to get the result you want. The correct positioning of your copy is critical for accurate results. Two Day Printer will run all two-sided jobs ‘head-to-head’. The top of your document is considered the ‘head’, so keep this in mind when building your files. This is most critical with vertical tri-folds and right-angle folds. Two Day Printer will not be responsible for flipping back page copy or in any way manipulating your files. To be certain of the results, make a dummy before constructing your documents.
A Word about Word
Because of technical issues between commercial printing equipment and Microsoft Office documents, we discourage the use of Word (.doc), Excel (.xls) and Powerpoint (.ppd) files for your printing projects. Please contact us if these are the only types of documents you can supply.
File Corrections
Corrections are billed at $10 each. Typical corrections include resizing and color-correcting photos including teeth whitening and red eye removal, moving panels to accommodate folding, and re-arranging graphic elements. We will fix up to four typos for the price of a single correction.
