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We Solve Problems Fineline is in the business of solving problems. We do not sell, we help. If we cannot improve your business, we won't ask for it. We begin every conversation by asking, "What challenges is your company facing?" Challenges we've helped solve: I need to manage my printing online We need a print company with a full range of equipment We need ways to effectively protect our brand We want to personalize every letter we send with our client's name and information based on purchasing history I would like to learn more about how to reduce my printing costs I am currently paying two separate companies for my mailing and my printing I want to know the best, most effective methods for preparing my jobs for printing

Our Prepress Printing Solutions

Our Experts Always Deliver Quality Products

Printing is an art. We love art. That's why we go over every job request with a fine toothed comb in our prepress printing division to ensure 100% quality printing. If your job isn't prepared right, the end result will not be what you expected. We strive to not let that happen with careful examination by our prepress experts.

Breakdown of the Benefits

Cover All the Bases - We can work with whatever you are comfortable with. We can help you within whatever workspace you are most familiar with.

Up to Date Technology - Our prepress printing division has access to powerful Macs and PCs and the latest versions of all of the most popular layout software to ensure you are getting the best feedback in the shortest amount of time.

The Top Preflighting Programs - We use Kodak's popular Prinergy Workflow System, a leading program in the industry for improving the prepress process and ultimately lowering costs.

Fine Toothed Comb - We'll spend as much time as necessary to ensure your files are ready to be printed. We'll make sure every "t" is crossed and every "i" is dotted so that every font looks superb. Quality printing is our minimum standard!

All Popular Formats Accepted - Whether you use Microsoft Publisher, Quark XPress, or Adobe InDesign, we can handle your files and prepare your projects for print.

Back to Solutions Main

Files Specifications

Fineline Printing Group’s goal is to provide customers with the highest quality printing at the lowest cost—as fast as we can. You will ensure that the artwork transfer process goes smoothly and efficiently by following these guidelines. And, remember that your Fineline Printing Group representative can answer questions as you develop your artwork. Download the File Specifications PDF

File Formats Accepted:

• QuarkXpress (Mac and PC)
• InDesign (Mac and PC)
• Photoshop (Mac and PC)
• Illustrator (Mac and PC)
• Acrobat (Mac and PC)
• Freehand MX (Mac and PC)

Please Note: Most file types and versions are accepted, however an artwork processing fee may apply to those formats not listed here.

Artwork Development Settings:

Page Setup

• Set all pages—including crossovers—as facing pages and not as reader or printer spreads.
• Set all files in single page format to final trim size.
• Output all pages to a single page with correct trim size. (For example: a booklet with two pages side-by-side should output as two separate 8.5" x 11" pages and not as an 11" x 17".)

Page Size

• Set your page size to the exact trim size of the finished product. Do not include bleed or trim marks in your document page size.
• Set bleeds at 1/8". A document has bleeds when the image or graphic has been extended past the edge of the document.

Color

• On a CMYK process job, set any solid black area as a rich black color (40–Cyan and 100–Black or 40–Cyan, 30–Magenta, 30–Yellow, and 100–Black).
• Any color that is RGB, LAB, or ICC cannot be used for print. These color types must be converted to either a process (CMYK) or spot.

Images and Graphics:

File Types

• Save all vector graphics as an EPS. (If you are using Freehand MX, make sure you save it as an editable EPS.)
• Save all raster images, such as photos, as either an EPS or TIFF. Avoid using JPG images as they may lose detail within the file compression and/or transfer.
• Save all images with silhouettes or drop shadow as an EPS.

Resolution

• Set the resolution for all raster images at 300 dpi. At minimum, we can accept 200 dpi.
• Set the resolution for all vector images at 1200 dpi. At minimum, we can accept 600 dpi.
• Bitmap images require higher resolution to reproduce clean radius edges.
• Please note that once images are placed into the document, resolution cannot be adjusted. Resolution must come from the properties of the image’s original file. If the image has too low of a resolution, the final printed product will not look as clean or as crisp as a file that has followed these guidelines.

Color

• Use CMYK colorspace for 4 color jobs. Any spot color images will be converted to CMYK when processing the artwork.
• Do not use images in RGB, LAB, or Indexed color, regardless of job specifications. These modes will not convert to CMYK reliably and will have potential color variation.

Open Document Settings:

Fonts

• Send fonts used in vector images with the files or convert fonts to outlines before finalizing the document. Note, while Fineline has access to many fonts, we cannot guarantee to exactly match the font you used unless you provide the font in either method cited above.
• Send all fonts when sending an open document artwork file. Always compress or "zip" (using applications like Stuffit, etc.) fonts and files when sending them via e–mail or FTP (file transfer protocol).

Color

• Clearly define colors as process (CMYK) or spot, and name colors consistently throughout the document.
• In the designing stage, edits can add or remove different colors. When you have finalized your design, remove all unused colors in all documents.
• Match all colors in your document to your estimate and/or file instructions. For example: If you have requested a two–color job, please make sure that your artwork reflects this number of colors.

PDF Files:

Use PDF_x1A as a default custom setup for crops and bleeds and composite color when creating your PDF.

Resolution

• Set final resolution to 2400dpi when creating your PDF. (This may be the default setting.)

Page Size

• Center all pages with a 1/2" margin surrounding the document to allow for trim, bleed, and registration marks. (This will appear on screen as a 1/2" white border surrounding the document and will add an extra inch onto the width and length of the page.)

Fonts

• Embed all fonts.

Color

• Set all black text to overprint.

Packaging Files:

Submitting Your Artwork:

• Always send a hard copy of all pages submitted to Fineline Printing Group. (If you are submitting your artwork via FTP, then please email a pdf or fax a hard copy to your Fineline Printing Group representative. Or, if you are submitting open artwork, include a pdf.)
• Files can be submitted by e-mail, FTP, InSite, jump drive, or by disc. Compress all files before sending via-email or FTP.
• Use e-mail for smaller file submissions. Avoid e–mail submissions of 5mb or larger.
• FTP can be used for any sized compressed file. You will need to contact your Fineline Printing Group representative for access to the FTP submission folder. Name your file clearly and notify your Fineline Printing Group representative of the file name. Many customers use our FTP, and this will help us know which file is yours.
• Know your quote. If submitted artwork does not match or conform to quote specifications on file, then the project may stall for a new quote to be generated. For example, page number and color count influences the quote provided. If either specification has changed, this will affect the quote’s dollar amount.