ADOBE PHOTOSHOP
-RGB and Indexed Color images need to be converted to CMYK so that we can separate them properly. (Photoshop—Image—Mode—CMYK.) Color shift will occur when they are converted.
-CMYK and Grayscale images should have a resolution of 300 to 350 ppi. Anything less than 300 ppi starts to degrade, and more than 350 ppi is overkill (the extra resolution no longer improves the image quality and it unnecessarily uses up disk space). To fix an image that has too much resolution, go to “Image—Image Size”—be sure “Resample Image” is checked—in “Print Size” change the ppi to 350. Unfortunately, this does not work the other way; you can’t give it more resolution and hope to have a better image. It must be scanned with enough resolution to begin with.
-A scanned image should be placed in a document at 100%. It can be enlarged up to 120% without noticeable loss of image quality. The image will degrade if enlarged greater than this. If reduced much smaller than 100%, say 80% or less, the image has more size than is needed, takes up unnecessary disk space, and takes more processing time when imaged. If you want to reduce the image to 80% or less in your document, open it in Photoshop and reduce it there instead, then place it into the page layout program at 100%. (Photoshop—Image—Image Size—be sure “Resample Image” is checked—in “Print Size”, change the units to percent and enter the desired percentage.) Unfortunately, you can’t enlarge an image above 100% in Photoshop and have it retain resolution. It must be scanned at the correct larger size from the beginning. (This does not apply to Illustrator or FreeHand EPS files. They can be enlarged or reduced as much as you want, because they are rendered from mathematical formulas and not pixels, as Photoshop files are.)
-Line art images (black and white images lacking screens or halftones) should be sized as close to 100% as possible and they should be Bitmap images (Photoshop—Image—Mode—Bitmap). If Bitmap is not a choice, choose Grayscale first, then Bitmap will be available. The best resolution for line art is 1200 ppi.
-JPEG and GIF formats are unsatisfactory when printing high-resolution images. They should be resaved in TIFF or EPS formats.
-Appropriate exposure curves are necessary to reproduce your images on press. The highlight area should have a value of 2% and the shadow area should have a value of 95%.
-Duotones should be created in Photoshop. With any specific colors, they should be named in Photoshop exactly as they are named in the page layout program, including Pantone and process colors.
-Clipping path flatness should be set to a flatness of no greater than 3.

NESTED GRAPHICS
If you place a graphic within a graphic that is then placed in your page layout program (for example, you place a Photoshop TIFF file into Illustrator, then place the Illustrator file into QuarkXPress), the graphic may not print correctly. If you do nest graphics, be sure to send us the nested graphic’s too (i.e., in our example above, send us the Photoshop file as well as the Illustrator file), and embed the graphic in the EPS file.

ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR/MACROMEDIA FREEHAND
-FreeHand—Send us the native format file along with the EPS file so we can adjust the trapping if needed.
-Fonts—It’s best to convert the text in your files to outlines before sending them in order to avoid font problems. If you choose not to convert them we will need both the screen and printer fonts used in your graphic.

DATA TRANSFER
We will accept files on Zip disks, CDs. and DVD ROM Disks. Files may also be sent to A Change of Pace electronically. Smaller files can be e-mailed to appropriate individuals.
Large files or complete projects can be uploaded to the A Change of Pace FTP site. Files to be uploaded to the FTP site must be compressed using any one of the available Zip or StuffIt compression programs. For help uploading or setting up for FTP use, please contact your account manager.

ARCHIVING
We assume that you maintain copies of the files that you send to us. If you have sent us files on disk we will return them to you just as we received them. We will not save or store these files at A Change of Pace after printing. If, however, you have asked us or we have found it necessary to create or enhance artwork, place scans, or in any way modify or add to your files, we will copy these files to the media of your choice and return them to you for a fee that covers labor and materials. Call us for a quote.

THE MOST IMPORTANT ADVICE TO FOLLOW
The most important thing you can do to ensure success is to communicate. Let us know what you intend to do before you do it, especially if it involves changing procedure, software, fonts, computers, or anything else that could impact the nature of your work. Remember, we see many files in different formats on a regular basis. We are aware of potential problems and can help you avoid them. Ask questions. Ask to speak with the people who will handle the work whenever you have a technical question. By staying in close communication with us and proceeding carefully, your work will go more smoothly, with fewer delays and problems.