PrintWorks & Company, Inc.

Creating Print-Ready PDFs

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If your business prefers to design its own print materials, here are a few time and money saving tips to ensure your PDF files are print-ready:

  • Remember that the end product is only as good as its components. For high-quality printing, a PDF file must contain high resolution images, appropriate fonts, etc.
  • Ensure that your fonts are properly embedded in the PDF. Some font creators don’t allow their fonts to be embedded. If that is the case, you should convert all fonts to outlines/curves/paths. Most design programs, such as InDesign, require you to convert fonts to outlines before creating the PDF. (Please note that fonts can be a tricky subject. Give us a call if you have any questions about font use or how to convert fonts to outlines, and we can walk you through the process.)
  • Ensure that your color values are appropriate for the desired output. In most cases, CMYK is standard, however, it could also be RGB. If CMYK is the right choice, some programs may allow you to convert everything to CMYK during PDF creation. However, it is recommended that you convert before output to avoid potential color changes when RGB images are converted to CMYK. If you have questions about color output, remember our printing experts are here to help!
  • Because transparency can have unpredictable results in printable PDFs, always make sure you flatten (rasterize) the elements affected by the transparency.
  • Ensure your PDF exports have a designated bleed if graphics are designed to print to the edge of the page. Elements that bleed should extend .125” outside the finished trim size.
  • Elements that do not bleed should be .1875″ inside the finished trim size.
  • Remember the page size should match the finished trim size.
  • Proof and preflight before creating a PDF file to identify missing fonts, unlinked images, or other issues that could result in problems down the road.
  • Use the appropriate PDF file settings. When in doubt, contact our print shop and we can recommend a file setting for your project.

Let us know if you have questions or need help creating print-ready PDFs. Remember, our printing experts are only a phone call or email away! Continue reading...

Hitching a Ride on the Bandwagon

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Have you ever wondered why most brides wear white for their weddings? The white wedding gown became common after the wedding of Queen Victoria to Prince Albert in 1840. Before that, brides would wear a variety of different colors for their big days. Women would choose blue, yellow, black, or even brown for their wedding dresses. The primary consideration was finding the nicest dress the woman already owned. Continue reading...

Understanding Image File Formats

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When it comes to creating marketing materials for print or web use, it’s important to know the differences between image file formats. Here is a brief overview of the most common file formats:

  • EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) is designed for sending/exporting vector graphics (such as logos) for print. Vector EPS files will print clear and crisp and can easily be resized without compromising print quality or losing detail.
  • TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) is a recommended format for printing high quality imagery for both MAC and PC platforms. TIFF files are designed to print clear and crisp at high resolutions (usually 300dpi) and support a transparent background.
  • A JPEG/JPG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) is a compressed image file that is ideal for creating and exchanging digital photographs. JPGs use lossy compression, meaning you will lose image quality if the file is enlarged or edited. Also, there is no support for transparency in a JPEG file.
  • GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) is a bit-mapped graphics file that is gradually being replaced by the PNG format. GIF has been popular for images with large areas of solid colors, such as logos and text as graphics. GIF does not compress your pictures, which mean that they do not lose image quality, resulting in large files. GIF can be used for animation and supports a transparent background. NOTE: GIFs are not suitable for professional printing (they are ideal for web use).
  • PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is a newer file format that features lossless compression of data, meaning an image can be compressed without losing image quality. PNG files also support transparency and are ideal for web use, but because of the lack of CMYK color support and inability for color separations, PNG is not a good fit for professional printing.

If you need help understanding different file formats, remember we’re just a phone call away. Give us a call today – we look forward to answering all of your printing questions at 215.721.8500. Continue reading...

High School Loyalty and Brand Community

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There’s something about high school that inspires loyalty for decades after graduation. For an outsider looking in, it can be difficult to understand why people care so much about their past high school experiences. Whether it’s journeying hundreds of miles for a high school reunion or feeling offended when someone insults the old sports hero, high school loyalties run deep for many people. Continue reading...