|
|
|
|
| Software Compatability |
| Transfer Media |
| File Compression |
| Resolution in Photos, Rasterized Text, and Logos |
|
| Software Compatability: |
|
PDF Files: |
We can accept pdf files when they have been save in the proper pdf format. All images should have 150 pixel-per-inch
resolution at print size. (100 ppi is acceptable, but not preferred.) As pdf files are difficult or impossible to edit and correct if needed, we prefer to receive files in vector or raster format. |
|
|
Windows Software: |
|
Adobe Illustrator Files. Tiff files |
|
| Mac Software: |
|
Adobe Illustrator CS, In-Design, Photoshop CS and earlier. Mac OS X, Mac OS 9. Quark Express 4 (Mac OS 9) |
Illustrator |
|
For artwork and layouts that do not include photos or other raster images, Illustrator files print well. It is best to avoid embedding raster images in vector layouts. Linked images are preferable. However more than two or three images in a vector layout can cause problems in large-format printing. |
| If your layout has numerous photos or other raster images, consider creating the whole layout in Photoshop. Several years ago, Photoshop layouts didn’t work as well because text and logos didn’t print sharp. That is no longer true because modern printing resolution along with computers powerful enough to manage large files that have 150 pixel-per-inch or higher resolution can print 6 point text with no loss of clarity. |
| All text in Illustrator files should be outlined. Select (highlight) the text, then from the File Menu choose Type/Create Outlines. If the text is not outlined, all exact fonts must be provided. Postscript fonts must include both sreen and printer font files. We can only work with Mac format fonts. We can accept Illustrator files created on a Windows platform only if the files are saved in EPS format and if absolutely all fonts are outlined. |
| Photoshop |
| Files should be saved in RGB color mode and have 150 pixels per inch resolution. If the file is not too big, it is helpful for us to receive it with separate layers as created in psd (photoshop document) format. Flattened Tiff files are fine. We can normally correct colors in specific color ranges or areas if needed. We generaly run test prints (the whole image printed smaller) or test strips to make sure that the colors we print are as close as possible to the colors you expect to see. We also want to make sure that photographic color is appropriate and appealing. We don’t want to print green skies, for example, or brownish grass that should be green, or photos that are overall too dark or washed out. |
| Quark Express |
|
We accept files created in Quark 4. Be sure to include all fonts and images. Avoid using Quark to colorize or edit images. Images can be resized or cropped in Quark but image quality such as color or contrast must be edited in Photoshop. Quark has a size limitation of 48 in. by 48 in., so if your layout is larger, you can create it at 50% or 25% of output size. Just remember to increase the resolution of linked images accordingly. For example, if your want your photo to have an output resolution of 150 pixels per inch, it must have 300 ppi in a layout which is 50% of final size. |
|
|
| File Compression |
| Files compression is sometimes problematic. Remember, files (such as vector or strictly text and layout files) that are not raster (photos) and that don’t contain photos generally really don’t need compression. There is a limit to the size of a file that can be sent as an email attachment. Email attachments should be limited to 1 or 2 mgs and preferably less. It is so easy to upload files to our ftp site, that there is really no need to attach larger files to an email. |
| We can generally open files that have been zipped, but we can’t guarantee that it will work well every time. |
| Hiqh quality jpeg compression, while not “lossless” generally does not result in noticeable loss of quality. LZW compression for Tiff files in Photoshop is lossless, but the files must be flattened. |
Files and folders compressed in Aladin Stuffit usually open OK, but not always. For some reason the executables
(self-extracting) tend to be problamatic, at least in our experience. |
|
|
| Transferring Files to Ocean Color. |
| Several years ago, we used to list the various types of media we could accept -- Syquest, Zip disks, 1.4 mb floppies, etc. but now CD’s and DVD’s are the standard. There is no need for any other. |
| There are two ways to send us files: |
1. Write a CD or DVD and send it by mail, UPS, Fedex or DHL. Files are expected to be ready to print. The prices on this site are based on printing from computer-prepared graphics that are ready to print. Design and editing is $75 per hour. Please include a paper proof (hard copy) so we can know what colors you are expecting to see. |
2. Upload to our FTP site. The advantage of uploading is that it can happen the same day and save the expense of overnight express. The disadvantage is that, depending upon your connection speed, it may take an awkward amount of time to upload very large files. Files larger than 200 or 300 mb will take us some time to download also, so we may not be able to get back to instantly to confirm we have it. As connection speed increases for all of us, we find the FTP option becoming the norm.
If you would like to ftp your file, contact us by phone or email to get url, username and password. Then you must alert us to look for it, because we don’t check our ftp site, unless we expect a customer’s file to be there. Files are expected to be ready to print. The prices on this site are based on printing from computer-prepared graphics that are ready to print. Design and editing is $75 per hour. Please include a paper proof (hard copy) so we can know what colors you are expecting to see. |
|
|
| Resolution in Photos, Rasterized Text, and Logos |
|
Files should be saved in RGB color mode and have 150 pixels per inch resolution. If your want your photo to have an output resolution of 150 pixels per inch, it must have 300 ppi in a layout which is 50% of final size.
|
|
|
|
|
We produce banners, posters, and murals from digital files supplied by the customer. Many customers send their files on a CD or DVD. Others prefer to upload to our ftp site where we can accept files up to 200 or 300 mb.
Call to get URL, username and password. Larger files should be sent on CD or DVD. Files are expected to be ready to print. The prices on this site are based on printing from computer-prepared graphics that are ready to print. Design and editing is $75 per hour. Please include a paper proof (hard copy) so we can know what colors you are expecting to see.
|
STANDARD vs ECONOMY Specifications -- Murals, Banners, Posters
Files for STANDARD printing may be in any of the formats described above. Files for ECONOMY printing must be submitted in TIFF format. We offer high resolution full color printing from customer-supplied digital file. While we can't guarantee exact color matches in every case, we make every effort to ensure that the final result is as close as possible using digital editing and color testing against the customer supplied proof and/or specs.
|
|
|
|
