Technical Specifications for submitting your own files.
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Fonts are the source of the majority of pre-press problems and delays, and may require special attention. To avoid font problems:
• Convert any text to outlines, in Illustrator and InDesign, or rasterize in Photoshop.
• If you choose not to convert to outlines, please included all fonts used in your layout.
• Do not forget fonts that may be embedded in placed graphics.
• Do NOT use font style attributes: if you want a Times Italic font you should use Times Italic, and NOT Times with the italic attribute.
• Please organize your fonts folder for all the fonts used for the job.
• Images need to be linked in the layout software and NOT embedded. Include all linked images in their panel folder.
• Please include the bleed outside the document set-up area.
• All solid black (type or other vector graphics) in Rich Black (R:0 G:0 B:0).
• Some transparency and shadow effects included in InDesign are not supported. Inform us before using these effects.*
• Please make sure your document setup area is the same size as your final panel size. If you work at half scale, your document set-up area should be half the size of your final panel and twice the DPI.
• To ensure that all files and fonts are included, please use the “File > Package...” settings.
When you package a file, you create a folder that contains COPIES of your InDesign document, any necessary fonts, linked graphics, text files, and a customized report with customer information and printing instructions. Please submit the entire folder.
*When using transparencies and shadow effects, problems occur in color matching and file output. Please provide JPG’s or High Quality PDF’s if using any of these effects.
Color Samples are the best way to preview the colors and the print quality in your panel. A Color Sample is produced in the same method as your final product. The colors and print quality you see on your Color Sample will match your final product. We recommend at least one per project to check color, contrast and sharpness, and clarity and resolution of photos.
Once the hard copy Color Sample is approved, we will send you a PDF proof by email for you to review all design elements, and full panel layout.
*When using Genesis Graphics for your panel designs, we will generally send a PDF proof first, prior to the Color Sample proof.
In order to get the color results that you want, please use solid colors at 100%, not a percentage. Specify all Pantone colors in file, and on hard copies. Leave Pantone colors as spot colors, do not convert them to CMYK or RGB on the color pallet. If a color guide is not provided, we will use our professional judgement. If you require matching to an original piece of art or a photograph, please inform us. We will be happy to estimate any additional color correction charges that may be required.
Please note: Color printouts provided by clients can not be used for color matching.
Files should be set up at 100% of their final size. If this is not possible, please use a simple scale and indicate the output scale on hard copies, or in a ReadMe document when using the Upload site.
A 1/4 inch bleed must be added to a panel’s perimeter. Borders that run along the edge of the panel should be inset at least 1/2 inch to avoid potential problems when cutting the panel to size. Text and graphics should be placed at least ONE full inch away from the finished edges.
Include on or with all Transfer Media:
Firm and Designer name
Contact Information
If you are mailing a CD/DVD, please supply us with a hard copy from the files you send us. These hard copies are used to verify all elements on your graphic panels and will not be used for color matching.
Please include on each color hard copy:
File ID name
Finished Panel Size
Quantity Needed
When sending files via upload, please label folder with your company name and/or job name. Create a folder for each panel containing all related print-ready graphics. In addition to the layout file, include all placed images. Do NOT embed graphics. Please provide a JPG’s for each panel to use to verify all elements on your graphic panels.
We will accept files created in all programs listed below, but highly recommend that you submit files in Adobe® Illustrator and Adobe® Photoshop for quickest turnaround. Recommended transfer media also listed.
Supported Programs:
Adobe® Illustrator CS4
Adobe® Photoshop CS4
Corel Draw X4
Please export as High Quality PDF from the following programs:
Adobe® InDesign CS4
QuarkXPress 4.0 or earlier
Supported Transfer Media:
Upload Site . http://upload.genesisgraphicsinc.com
CD/DVD
Flash Drives
Resolution of all images should be 240 dpi at their final output size. Please keep in mind when determining the dpi required, you must plan for final desired size, simply increasing the resolution on a low-resolution file will not work. See the example below.
• In order to give us more flexibility in the event that your files require some color correction, please supply your designed panel files as an unflattened PSD file along with the flattened TIFF or EPS format.
• Please avoid JPEG and LZW compression when saving as a TIFF.
• Image resolution should be set according to the product application. Poster size 240 dpi, Mural size 50-100 dpi.
• If you must place text elements, text layers must be rasterized or specified fonts may not print correctly.
• All solid black (type or other vector graphics) must be in Rich Black (R:0 G:0 B:0).
• Please include the bleed inside the document set-up area.
• Crop marks indicating the finished size of the panel have to be placed on a separate layer in the document.
• If you are using Pantone Colors, please specify colors. Do NOT convert colors to CMYK or RGB.
• All solid black (type or other vector graphics) must be in Rich Black (R:0 G:0 B:0)
• Some transparency and shadow effects included in Illustrator are not supported. Inform us before using these effects.*
• To avoid potential font problems, convert your text to outlines.
• Images need to be linked in the layout software and NOT embedded. Include all linked images in their panel folder.
• A 1/4 inch bleed must be added to a panel’s perimeter. Please include the bleed inside the document set-up area.
• Crop marks indicating the finished size of the panel have to be placed on a separate layer in the document.
*When using transparencies and shadow effects, problems occur in color matching and file output. Please provide JPG’s or High Quality PDF’s if using any of these effects.