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Large format Printing

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|Artwork File Upload Tips|

Questions and Answers

Are my files ready to be uploaded?
Are certain file formats better to upload than other file formats?
What if my file has low resolution images?
What resolution is needed for my files?
What if my file is missing fonts?
How do I convert text to outlines?
How do I correct my file if it is missing fonts?
Will my files be converted to CMYK during uploading?
What are file extensions?
What are file formats?
What is Portable Document (.PDF)?
What is Tagged Image File (.TIFF)?
What is Encapsulated Postscript (.EPS)?
What is PostScript (.PS)?
What is Joint Photographic Experts Group (.JPEG)?
What is PhotoShop Document (.PSD)?

|Q| Are my files ready to be uploaded?

|A| Please check your files for image resolution, bleeds, and fonts/text. Your files must be submitted at the correct size, including bleeds. Please make sure that all text is at least 1/8th inch away from the cut line and that all images and text are at least 300 dpi for rasterized images.

|Q| Are certain file formats better to upload than other file formats?

|A| No. University Press accepts print-ready files in any of the following formats: .eps, .jpg, .pdf, .ps, .psd, .tif. If you have an artwork file in any other format, we encourage you to create a PDF file (Acrobat 4 version 1.3) or .jpg that can be uploaded to the Press.

|Q| What if my file has low resolution images?

|A| If your file has low resolution images, you will need to replace these images before printing.

Low resolution images are usually anywhere from 72 to 250 dots per inch (dpi), and the Press recommends replacing low resolution images to ensure a high level of printing quality. It is impossible to increase resolution of a low resolution file since a file must be originally created at 300 dpi and remain at this resolution. To replace low resolution files, you will need to open your file with your design software program and replace low resolution images with images that have resolution of at least 200 dpi.

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|Q| What resolution is needed for my files?

|A| Resolution impacts printing quality since it determines the visual sharpness of your artwork. Since most computer monitors display images at 72-96 DPI, you may not be able to accurately view resolution of your printed piece from your computer screen. As a result, the Press checks your file for low resolution issues during the automated preflighting phase of the upload process.

For most printing jobs, 300 dots per inch (DPI) is the minimum resolution to guarantee acceptable printing results. For larger products such as large format posters and banners, we recommend sharper resolution which can range from 300 to 1200 dpi, depending on the intended use of the printed piece.

If an image was originally created at low resolution and you manually increase the resolution up to 300 dpi, this will not improve the quality of the image. Your file will still upload through our system because the system is reading the dpi which you manually changed yet, but your artwork will still have poor clarity. The file must be originally created and saved at 300 dpi for the truest quality.

|Q| What if my file is missing fonts?

|A| It is important that you supply all fonts used in your layout. If you do not supply fonts in your artwork file, we will request that you resubmit your files with fonts included.

If you have vector artwork and your file is missing fonts, you can open your file in Illustrator, select "Create Outlines", save your fonts, re-save your artwork file, and then upload it.

If you have artwork that is rasterized, you can open your file in Photoshop and select "Flatten the Layers", re-save your artwork file, and then upload it.

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|Q| How do I convert text to outlines?

|A| All text within your files must be converted to outlines with the outline set to zero to eliminate the need for fonts. If you do not convert text to outlines with the outline set to zero, we will request that you correct your file and resubmit it.

|Q| How do I correct my file if it is missing fonts?

|A| It is important that you supply all fonts used in your layout. If you do not supply fonts in your artwork file, we will request that you resubmit your files with fonts included.

If you have vector artwork and your file is missing fonts, you can open your file in Illustrator, select "Create Outlines", save your fonts, re-save your artwork file, and then upload it.

If you have artwork that is rasterized, you can open your file in Photoshop and select "Flatten the Layers", re-save your artwork file, and then upload it.

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|Q| Will my files be converted to CMYK during uploading?

|A| Yes. If your files are submitted using any other color standard, such as RGB or Pantone, they will be converted to CMYK during automated preflighting. Conversion from one color standard to another may cause colors to shift.

|Q| What are file extensions?

|A| File extensions are three-digit designations at the end of a file name that indicate what format the file has been saved in. Common artwork file formats include: .eps, .jpeg, .pdf, .ps, .psd, .tiff.

|Q| What are file formats?

|A| File format, which is unique for different file types, specifies how information is organized. Common artwork file formats that we accept include: .eps, .jpeg, .pdf, .ps, .psd, .tiff.

|Q| What is Portable Document (.PDF)?

|A| Portable document format or .PDF for short is a universal file format developed by Adobe Systems to preserve all fonts, formatting, graphics, and colors of any source document. PDF allows any file to be read by the Acrobat reader regardless of the hardware or software platform on which the file was created.

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|Q| What is Tagged Image File (.TIFF)?

|A| Tagged image file format or .TIFF for short is one of the most widely supported file formats for storing images on a computer. TIFF can handle up to 24 bits of photographic image, but TIFF is an older format that requires more storage space than needed for files in .JPEG or .PSD formats.

Before submitting TIFF files, you should make sure these files do not contain any compression.

|Q| What is Encapsulated Postscript (.EPS)?

|A| Encapsulated postscript file or .EPS for short is an Adobe Systems-developed file format. It is a device-independent PostScript representation of a graphic or other object. It stores files as vectors and includes a low-resolution bitmap representation for quick on-screen viewing.

|Q| What is PostScript (.PS)?

|A| PostScript or .PS for short is a software language for printing that describes fonts, images and graphics as mathematical expressions that do not require fonts or other dependent files.

|Q| What is Joint Photographic Experts Group (.JPEG)?

|A| Joint photographic experts group or .JPEG or .JPG for short is a file format used for color images. This format retains a high degree of color while requiring less storage space than needed for other file formats. Uncompressed .JPEG files can be used for high-quality printing.

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|Q| What is PhotoShop Document (.PSD)?

|A| PhotoShop document or .PSD for short is a file format for documents created and saved in Adobe Photoshop as layered images, which makes editing different parts of an image at a later date far easier. It is the only file format supporting all available image modes (Bitmap, Grayscale, Duotone, Indexed Color, RGB, CMYK, Lab, and Multichannel), guides, alpha channels, spot channels, and layers.

Please make sure you flatten all layers and save your files with flattened layers before uploading this file to the Press .

Phone: 208-496-2850 ; Fax: 208-496-2853

BYU- Idaho University Press

525 Center St. 119 ASB, Rexburg, ID 83460-8005

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