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Desktop Publishing Tools |
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As many of you know, commercial printing has its own set of rules when it comes to setting up and working with electronic files. How you set up your files in the beginning makes all the difference in on how your project will flow through the prepress process.
Software and File Types
These are programs and file types that are compatible with American Printing Company's Electronic Prepress Equipment. We are always willing to test different files, so if you don't see your program listed below, please call your Account Manager to set up a test. We recommend upgrading to the most recent system and software versions. You will be notified if we cannot accept certain versions of software in the future.
Software Programs - Macintosh & PC
Page Layout Documents
- QuarkXpress documents (Currently CS3, .qxd if PC format)
- Adobe InDesign documents (Currently CS3)
- Adobe PageMaker documents (Currently CS3, .p65 or .pm6 if PC format)
Drawing and Paint programs
We do accept other file formats. If you have another program that is able to produce a compatible file type (see the list below); try to provide a test file before the live job enters production.
- Adobe Illustrator (Currently CS3, .ia if PC format)
- Adobe Photoshop (Currently CS3, .psd if raw PC format)
- Macromedia Freehand (Currently MX11.0, .FHx)
File Types - Macintosh & PC
Graphics and Scans
- EPS/EPSF (Encapsulated PostScript-vector and pixel based)
- TIFF (Tagged Image File Format)
- JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group - compressed)
- DCS/DCS2 (Desktop Color Separations)
The following file types are acceptable but usually require additional time to convert to TIFF or EPS files before RIPing. Files taken from the World Wide Web are low resolution and will not reproduce well for printing. There are also copyright laws that apply to images copied from the Internet and it is the responsibility of the designer to obtain permission before using these files.
- Scitex CT (continuous tone)
- PSD (raw Photoshop document)
- GIF (FYI-usually low res, RGB graphic)
- PICT (FYI-usually low res, RGB graphic)
- BMP (Windows Bitmap - PC)
- PNG (Portable Network Graphic)
- CDR (CorelDRAW version 7 or higher)
- CGM (Computer Graphics Metafile)
- WMF (Windows Meta File - PC format often associated with clip art)
- DXF (some autocad files can be saved as DXF and converted with Freehand or Illustrator programs. This is not always successful and testing is required for each customer)
We currently do not image files from low-end publishing programs such as Microsoft Publisher. We will notify our customers when our policy changes due to new technology. Suggestions are always welcome.
Page Layout Guides
Dies and Templates
These files can serve as guides or dies when setting up folders or tabs for printing. By following the dimensions you can work with these files or recreate your own die using these Illustrator files provided. Contact your Account Manager for other custom dies or instructions when you are unsure of dimensions for more complicated jobs.
Direct Mail Information
The United States Post Office Direct Mail Center can be a useful tool in planning your direct mail campaign. This site includes templates, a planning calculator and useful tips that will help you save money and make the most of your next project.
Fraction Conversion Chart
Use this chart when you need to convert fractions to decimals for desktop publishing programs.
