Index Contact Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Common Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Electronic Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Tips For Adjusting Grayscale Images & Gray Bar Usage . . . . . . . . . .6 Imaging Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Distiller Job Options & Size Chart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Creating PDFs in Your Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Do’s & Don’ts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Contact Us The Sedalia Democrat 700 S. Massachusetts Sedalia, MO 65301 Commercial Print Paul Hunting 660-826-1000 x282 phunting@sedaliademocrat.com Becky Baker 660-826-1000 x272 bbaker@sedaliademocrat.com Internet Systems FTP Contact Richard Deford 660-826-1000 x286 rdeford@sedaliademocrat.com Publisher: Dave Phillips 660-826-1000 x280 dphillips@sedaliademocrat.com 2
Q&A
What is Dot Gain? Dot Gain is an increase in the diameter of the halftone dot. Dot Gain will always be present in offset printing. A 40% dot in an image may read as high as 70% when printed. This indicates a total Dot Gain of 30%. Not all dots grow at the same degree. The highest area of Dot Gain is in the mid tones (30%-50%-60%). See the examples on Page 6 for more information.
Why is color matching inconsistent between days and even between the same pages on the same day? There are many challenges when printing color pages on the press. The speed of the press and length of the press run can affect the ink density. When the press starts, the pressroom operators are working to apply the proper amount of ink density to every page. There may be pages that are slightly lighter or darker initially. However, as the press continues to run the ink densities are set to standard.
Why do photos and tinted screens appear darker in the paper than they look on my monitor? Dot Gain plays a big factor in the relationship of color differences from your monitor to the printed results of your product. Several factors affect the appearance of screens and images on your monitor including: light conditions, monitor manufacturer, and your own eyes. We suggest using the values and settings on Page 6 for adjusting images.
Can I use PantoneÂŽ (PMS) colors for spot color? If you choose to use a Pantone color for a spot color, it will be converted to its CMYK match when processing through our system. We use process colors to mix all colors. You should build your Pantone color from process color in its native application. Our system will add black to a Pantone color conversion in an effort to match the darkness of your Pantone color. If you need to darken a Pantone color when converting to CMYK, try adding 5-20% cyan.
Why can’t I submit materials via email? Due to the size restrictions set by the firewall there is a good chance that files can become corrupt when they are sent via email. There is no file size restriction on FTP, the preferred way to submit your materials.
How do I set up and create PDF files to output correctly in your system? You want to create an EPS file from whatever application in which the file is created. The most important part is using the correct settings within Acrobat Distiller to create the final PDF file that you will send to us. The proper Distiller settings will be uploaded to your FTP folder.
Should I create black using 4 colors (rich black)? 4-color black, or rich black should not be used. Misregistration of type will be highly visible.
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Electronic Requirements
At The Sedalia Democrat we accept electronic files created on Macintosh-compatible systems. Electronic transfers bypass the need for scanning an image, ensuring that the final printed version is of “original” quality. Your material suffers no second or third generation reproduction loss in the electronic transfer. Before submitting electronic material, please use the information in this publication to be sure your design applications are compatible with those in use at The Sedalia Democrat.
Supported Applications and Formats: We currently accept PDFs created from materials prepared in the following or previous versions of these supported applications: • Adobe Illustrator CS3 (EPS) • Adobe Photoshop CS3 (EPS or PDF) • Adobe Acrobat 7 (PDF or EPS) • InDesign CS5 • QuarkXpress 7.2 (QXP) • Adobe Pagemaker 7 If the application you are working in cannot create a PDF file then it is not supported.
Test Files: First time digital accounts must submit a test file no later than 48 hours before scheduled copy due deadline. We prefer to test material and make adjustments before your job goes live. If you do not supply test files and the job fails due to corruptions, transfer errors, or disk errors, we cannot be held responsible for the integrity of the product.
Virus Protection: All electronic files are scanned for viruses before processing. Files found to be infected will be rejected and returned to the client. Fonts: PDFs MUST have the fonts embedded.
Deadlines: Our deadlines help us ensure the quality of your product. Your material must be submitted on or before deadline. We will not be accountable for production problems for material submitted after the deadline. Graphics: We require that all photos or illustrations be imported into page layout programs at 100%. Downsizing larger files into a layout program increases copying and production times. Photos (raster) must be saved using the correct mode and format (EPS or TIFF). Do not save files as JPEG or save your EPS file with JPEG encoding. EPS files should have 8 bit TIFF and binary encoding.
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Color Modes: Use bitmap for line art, grayscale for B/W photos and CMYK for 4/color photos. Never save a photo using RGB mode. Never create a PDF for print using RGB mode. Duotones must be converted to CMYK. Save as TIFF or EPS format. Vector and line art must be saved as an EPS. The Sedalia Democrat prints all custom and spot colors using the four process colors. Color in supplied materials must be created in CMYK. All spot colors (including Pantone) must be set up for process separations in the layout application. Before submitting your files, either print the separations to a laser printer or view separation preview (output preview) in Acrobat to ensure your colors separate out correctly in CMYK. AVOID DUOTONE GRAPHICS. If your press run consists of one spot color and black and you are using a custom color as the spot color, choose either cyan or magenta as the color in your page layout application. The custom color you order will actually be in the fountain on the press. Resolution & Line Screen: The Sedalia Democrat outputs at 100 lpi at 1270 dpi. Before saving in Photoshop, make the resolution of all B/W and color images 150 ppi (equal or twice our line screen). Scanned Line Art or Bitmap illustrations may be saved as high as 1200 ppi. Using the information provided in this publication, please set up all files accordingly to ensure quality reproduction of your ad.
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Tips For Adjusting Grayscale Images
The Sedalia Democrat press has a dot gain of 30% which means it may darken the image considerably when printed. Below are examples that show the original unadjusted image next to an image that has been adjusted for the 30% dot gain. A person’s complexion can be very difficult to adjust. Lighter complected people, like the the children on top, should have a highlight in their faces of about 7%. Darker complected people, like the woman on the bottom, can have slightly darker highlights, but should still be no more than 15% for a highlight.
Original Images
Adjusted Images
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One of the best ways to adjust Grayscale Images is to use the Curves tool in Photoshop. It is located in Images>Adjustments>Curves. You can adjust the graph to lighten and darken various tonal ranges in an image. It is best to lighten the midtones between 10-15%. Highlights should also be lightened to help retain contrast in the image. When your adjustments have been made, all images should be sharpened using the Unsharp Mask located in Filters>Sharpen>Unsharp Mask. Images should be sharpened between 100-150% to improve clarity. Use a Radius of 1 and a Threshold of 2. Use the Preview. Oversharpening can result in the appearance of an outline effect and the image may become too light.
Gray Bar Usage
Gray Balance: Gray balance is the most important step in the calibration of the color scanner procedures. To obtain a neutral shade or gray balance in a photo the pressroom must print the correct amount of cyan, magenta and yellow. Black ink is not used in reproducing gray balance. Proper color reproduction at the press can only occur when the press has achieved the same gray balance proportions as were present in the color separations. Gray balance is achieved when the values put in during scanning are reproduced on the prepress proof and the printing press with little or no color difference. The Sedalia Democrat uses gray bars on editorial pages to ensure proper gray balance. By utilizing densitometers to measure the gray bars, we are able to achieve consistent results throughout the printing process. What is a Densitometer? A densitometer is an instrument which measures ink film thickness or density. In effect, density is a function of the amount of light absorbed. A thicker ink film, or one with higher pigment content, will absorb more light, and will therefore produce a higher density reading. Density readings are logarithmic calculations which approximate the way the human eye sees objects. Guidelines Everyone sees color differently. By using gray bars and densitometers we are able to take the human factor out of setting proper ink densities. The gray bar percentages at The Sedalia Democrat are 40% cyan, 30% magenta and 30% yellow. We highly recommend using gray bars on 4/color pages. If you have any questions regarding gray bars, please contact the pre-press department at 660-826-1000 x 270. 7
Imaging Guidelines: Resolution
Resolution: It is important to understand the difference between ppi (pixels per inch), dpi (dots per inch) and lpi (lines per inch). The first image is optimum for our output and less than half the size of the higher resolution third image. The Sedalia Democrat prints 100lpi. For best reproduction and to avoid long disk copying and file ripping times, your ppi should be between 1.5 to 2 times your lpi. The Sedalia Democrat Standard
Image Resolution: 150ppi or above Image Size: 2.2MB Optimum for 100lpi @ 1270 dpi output
Image Resolution: 72ppi Image Size: 1.7MB
Image Resolution: 300ppi Image Size 4.1MB
The examples above show the differences in the file size of a 150ppi image compared to a 72 & 300ppi image. Use the image size dialog box (below) to adjust your image according to our requirements.
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Imaging Guidelines: Unsharpening
The Unsharp Mask filter in Photoshop can sharpen images if they cannot be sharpened during the scanning process. This filter can be useful on any scanned image including pre-printed materials.
Amount: 50% Radius: 1 Threshold: 2
Amount: 100% Radius: 1 Threshold: 2
Amount: 250% Radius: 1 Threshold: 2
The examples above show how the Unsharp Mask filer can alter an image. Each image is different. The values are used for reference only. Experiment with your images because the results will vary with different originals. Use the Unsharp Mask dialog box in Photoshop to make your adjustments.
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Imaging Guidelines: Dot Gain
Dot gain is the result of the change in dot size when ink is absorbed on the newsprint. The Sedalia Democrat Standard
30% Dot Gain
35% Dot Gain
40% Dot Gain
Set your CMYK Setups in Photoshop as shown to achieve the best reproduction for your images when printed in our paper. Use the Color Settings and Custom CMYK dialog box in Photoshop to make your adjustments.
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Distiller Job Options
Sedalia Democrat Distiller job options will be uploaded to your folder on the FTP site. Download the file. Copy the joboptions file to: On a Macintosh using system 10: Macintosh HD>Library>Application Support>Adobe>Adobe PDF>Settings
Start Distiller and choose seddemocratjoboptions from the Job Options pop-up menu. The next time you run Distiller, the Job Options should still be set to joboptions. If not, choose sedemocratjoboptions and create your file.
The best way to create a PDF using Distiller is to create an EPS of your original file and drop that EPS directly onto the Distiller window. (If you are unable to make an EPS from your application, a postscript file will also work). Distiller will create a PDF and save it in the same place as your EPS or PS file.
COMMERCIAL PRINTING IMAGE AREA IN INCHES Web Width
Broadsheet
Tabloid
22
10 x 21.5
10.25 x 10
23
10.5 x 21.5
10.25 x 10.5
25
11.5 x 21.5
27.5
13 x 21.5
10 x 13
6 x 10
30
14 x 215.
10 x 14
6.5 x 10
34
Mini-Tabloid
7.5 x 10*
DOUBLE TRUCK DIMENSIONS 22” web width: 21” x 21.5” as a true double truck 23” web width: 22” x 21.5” as a true double truck 25” web width: 24” x 21.5” as a true double truck Mini-Tabloid: As 2 separate pages 7.75” x 10” *Mini-Tabloid with any bleed: 7.50” x 9.75” image area
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Creating PDFs in Your Environment QuarkXpress
• 7.2 • Follow the settings below to create an EPS. • Distill the Quark EPS using Acrobat Distiller. • Make sure you have installed the ???joboptions in Acrobat Distiller. (see page 11) • Double-check your pdf for page size and color separation. • Upload your PDF to your FTP folder.
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Although some applications allow you to create a PDF directly out of them, these PDFs are good for Proof purposes only. THESE FILES WILL NOT OUTPUT PROPERLY!
Creating PDFs in Your Environment InDesign
• CS3 • Be sure to use placed art that has been flattened i.e., EPS, TIFF. • Follow the settings below to create an EPS. • Distill the InDesign EPS using Acrobat Distiller. • Make sure you have installed the ???joboptions in Acrobat Distiller. (see page 11) • Double-check your pdf for page size and color separation. • Upload your PDF to your FTP folder.
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Although some applications allow you to create a PDF directly out of them, these PDFs are good for Proof purposes only. THESE FILES WILL NOT OUTPUT PROPERLY!
Creating PDFs in Your Environment Illustrator*
• Be sure to use placed art that has been flattened i.e., EPS, TIFF. • Follow the settings below to create an EPS. • Distill the Illustrator EPS using Acrobat Distiller. • Make sure you have installed the ???joboptions in Acrobat Distiller. (see page 11) • Double-check your pdf for page size and color separation. • Upload your PDF to your FTP folder.
Although some applications allow you to create a PDF directly out of them, these PDFs are good for Proof purposes only. THESE FILES WILL NOT OUTPUT PROPERLY!
* A layout application such InDesign or QuarkXpress is recommended.
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Do’s & Don’ts
DO start with a clean document in your page layout application. DO confine your image area to the specifications on page 11.
DO remember that page numbers and folios are included in the image area dimensions. They must fit within the parameters of the page if you want them to print.
DON’T use any “auto black” settings in any application to create a black. This includes “Registration” in the color palette of QuarkXpress. DON’T select Red, Blue or Green as they are from the QuarkXpress color palette. Those colors will need to be converted to CMYK before using them. DO call us if you need assistance in setting up your layout for a bleed.
DON’T use printer marks and registration generated by your application.
DO tell us in advance of your pressrun the number of copies you want to run, the number of pages for your job and which pages are color. DO look over your PDF before you upload it. Are all the pages there? Does the color separate correctly? Are all the images on the pages? Are the page dimensions correct? Do elements knockout or overprint correctly? If you have output preview or separation preview in Acrobat use that to look at your pages. Print your separations to a laser printer if needed. DO call us with questions about color placement. It can affect the overall quality of your product. DON’T use unlicensed fonts.
DON’T HESITATE TO CALL US WITH ANY QUESTION YOU MAY HAVE. WE WANT YOUR PRODUCT TO LOOK GOOD, TOO.
15
10m
10y
10k
5m
5y
5k
100c,70m
10c
5c
20k
20y
20m
20c
100c,100y
15k
15y
15m
15c
30k
30y
30m
30c
100c,70y
25k
25y
25m
25c
40k
40y
40m
40c
100c,100m,100y
35k
35y
35m
35c
45k
45y
45m
45c
50k
50y
50m
50c
75k
75y
75m
75c
80k
80y
80m
80c
50k
70k
70y
70m
70c
25k
65k
65y
65m
65c
50c,40m,40y
60k
60y
60m
60c
25c,20m,20y
55k
55y
55m
55c
85k
85y
85m
85c
90k
90y
90m
90c
100k
100y
100m
100c
75k
80c,70m,70y
95k
95y
95m
95c
This color chart demonsrates how different CMYK values will reproduce on our press. A value of 70-100% will print solid.
Screen Comparison Chart