If you are uploading or e-mailing files larger than 5 MB, you should compress your files prior to transfer. Take all the files for your job and place them in one folder. Then compress the folder as a .zip file using Winzip or PK Zip if it is a Windows platform file. Use Stuffit for the Macintosh platform and BinHex encode the file so that your folder will retain its resource fork and arrive with its icons intact. If your files are extremely large, you may want to compress them into several archives. This will make it easier to upload the files.

• Save JPEGs at the highest quality compression level.
• When saving TIFFs, do not turn on LZW compression if it is available.
• When saving files as EPS, make sure that preview is set to Macintosh or TIFF, 8-bits/pixel and Encoding is set to Binary.

Here are some guidelines for preparing your files for printing.

• Images should be 300 dpi (dots per inch) at the final size in the layout.
• Text should be 400 dpi at the final size in the layout.
• Use TIFF or EPS file formats to achieve the best color quality and sharpness of image. Other file formats tend to remove some of the original images. Images originally taken from a digital camera usually appear in JPEG format and need to be converted to a TIFF or EPS format. If your image is a photograph, we recommend an EPS file format.
• Try to avoid using images from the Internet or websites. These usually appear in GIF, JPEG or PNG file formats at a low dpi. Color and resolution are removed from these images to allow for rapid transfer. These images would appear fuzzy and dull if used for print.
• Make sure all photos are set in the proper mode (CMYK).
• Make sure your files are linked, not embedded, and that you send all your layout, image and font files (both screen and printer fonts) to us.

• Creating a page that has a full bleed (ink all the way up to the edge of the sheet) requires that the page be printed on a larger size of paper. To set up your file to accommodate a bleed, be sure to extend the bleed area 1/8" beyond all four edges of the page. This will allow plenty of room for trimming and eliminate any of the paper showing at the edge. Please refer to each product estimate page to determine if bleeds are allowed on the type of project you are printing.
   
• On products where bleeds are not allowed, make sure to leave an area around all four sides where there is no copy within a ½ inch of the edges.
   
• If your document requires perforations or folds, please indicate them in the bleed area of your artwork with a small tick mark.
   
• Be sure to include both screen and printer fonts among the files you send us, including any fonts used in linked graphics.
   
• Be careful when using colored text. Minute misalignment on the press can cause CMYK inks to not align perfectly in small text (10 point or smaller) or in white text on a colored or black background (drop-out copy). This misalignment can make small text look blurry. If you need to use small colored text, it is best to keep it one of the true CMYK colors; black is the preferred choice. Text larger than 10 points will print clear and sharp with any color you choose.
   
• If your design calls for screened text, especially for small text, avoid using light screens. Instead try to make screened values at least 60% and try to make at least one of the inks (preferably cyan or magenta) 100%.
   
• When using large areas of black coverage, please set up your files with these values: 60% cyan, 40% magenta, 40% yellow and 100% black. Small text and rules should be left at 100% black.