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To
ensure your graphics are produced to your satisfaction, it's
imperative you follow the guidelines below. Any deviation
from these guidelines may affect the results you are trying
to achieve.
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Accepted
Media:
CD, DVD, Zip disk
FTP http://www.gothamgroup.com/fileupload/fileupload.cfm
We
DO NOT accept files via e-mail, please direct all files to
our FTP.
NOTE: Include a file directory listing the contents of
your supplied media. Only files pertinent to the project should
be included. Additional charges may apply if we need to sort
through and find relevant information. Also please supply
a print to match content and a color match if possible.
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Software
and Formats:
Gotham accepts both Mac and PC files, and we strive to use the
most up-to-date versions of the leading software.
As of 12/01/2004 we are using:
Adobe
Illustrator CS (or lower)
Adobe Photoshop CS (or
lower) Adobe InDesign CS
(or lower)
QuarkXPress 6 (or
lower) CorelDraw
(10 or lower)
All files must be in US English format and supplied in the
original layered file format.
If you
are working on a platform that doesn't support any of these
applications, please contact your sales associate to discuss
your options prior to producing any artwork. Files supplied
in other applications will require rebuilding, and may incur
additional charges, or may not be useable at all.
"Filters
and Effects" in Illustrator and InDesign do not always
print correctly. If we are supplied a file using these attributes,
additional time may be required to print the file. Also, Photoshop
files that are embedded in Illustrator are not accepted. Files
must be PLACED. Be sure to include the linked Photoshop file.
PDF's:
Creating PDF files for large format printing is never a good
idea. We will make an attempt to print the file, however because
a PDF is un-editable, what you send us is what you will get
back. We have NO WAY to make even the smallest adjustment
to the file. We strongly caution against sending this format.
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How
We Handle Fonts:
To
ensure that all designs print as intended, please provide all
fonts (both screen and printer) used in your document(s). Alternatively,
convert all text to paths in vector applications.
Do not supply TrueType Fonts or any Macintosh System Fonts,
as they will not process.
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How
We Handle Color:
Vector
artwork must be specified using the PANTONE® Matching System
(coated). Accurate color matches cannot be achieved through
the use of CMYK values due to the differences in ways that all
printers and technologies interpret those values. Specifying
colors using PMS (coated) provides us with a precise color reference
and greatly increases our chances of accurately producing your
colors.
Always
include a color proof with your electronic files and specify
whether we are to match to your printed proof or the actual
PMS color(s). Colors not assigned to PMS (coated) or supplied
without a sample match will print as is. If working in Illustrator,
please supply vector artwork in "CMYK mode," as
opposed to "RGB mode."
Raster
based artwork will print as is unless we are supplied a proof
indicated for matching. Do not include color profiles - use
adjustment layers and be sure to include the layered file
on disk. Please supply all raster files as RGB unless you
are experienced in the conversion to CMYK. If they already
exist as CMYK do not convert them to RGB. Supply as is. Color
proofs are available upon request for a minimal charge.
NOTE: Due to the inherent nature of large format digital
printing, perfect color matching cannot be guaranteed. We
will make sure every effort is made to match your colors as
accurately as possible; color shifts and/or differences should
be expected. Reprinted archived files will never exactly match
original prints. If color matching from one job to another
is critical, all jobs must be printed at the same time.
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Color
Proofs: (available at a minimal charge)
When
color matching is critical, we recommend the printing of a color
proof. We will print the proof using the same processes and
materials that will be used in the production of your final
output. We suggest you supply us with any form of printed materials
you would like us to match and we will make every effort to
get as close as possible to the supplied art.
A minimum
of two days from the receipt of production-ready art is needed
to produce a color proof.
Upon receipt, please examine all proofs very carefully.
By approving these, you are accepting responsibility for the
content and instructing us to proceed with the printing of
your graphic(s) as it stands. Please contact your Account
Service Representative with any questions you may have ASAP.
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Cropmarks
and Bleed:
If
you are creating layouts to be used as individual graphics,
cropmarks are not necessary; however, be sure the document size
is set to be the final print dimensions or a directly scaled
version of the final print.
When creating
layouts that will span multiple panels, do not dissect (panel)
them. Supply the layout as a single piece of artwork with
1" bleeds around all the external edges (at final output
size). Files supplied incorrectly may require rebuilding in
which additional charges will be incurred.
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Vector
(Illustrator) vs. Raster (Photoshop) Artwork:
Vector
provides the highest quality output while maintaining the smallest
file size. It is particularly well suited for logos, line drawings,
charts and graphs, and text which require sharp, clean lines.
Scaling to any size is possible without degradation of quality
because it is resolution independent.
Raster
artwork, which is resolution dependent, is best represented
by photographic type artwork. It's not recommended for reproducing
logos, line drawings and text that is intended to be as crisp
as vector artwork. If doing so, all raster artwork must exist
at full size at the required resolution determined by the
method of output.
We require
all raster artwork to be 100 dpi (dots per inch) at final
output size, 200 dpi at half size and 400 dpi at quarter size.
Artwork that is formatted below quarter scale will not be
accepted.
Do not interpolate or "res-up" raster images. Doing
so will enable you to meet the dimension and resolution requirements,
however, image quality will be greatly affected resulting
in a poor output. See the example below.
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Scanned
Images:
All
scanned images require a resolution of 100 dpi at final output
size. This resolution will provide the maximum print quality
for large format digital printing. Images supplied below 100
dpi may result in poor output. Images supplied with more than
100 dpi in resolution will not print any better. The result
will only be a larger file size which can lead to longer upload,
download and processing times. When supplying high resolution
scans please leave them in their native RGB format. Do not
convert them to CMYK. |
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