Camera-Ready Material

If you create your document on a computer, our first choice is to have you provide the job on disk in one of the compatible formats. We understand, though, that this is not possible for everybody; some of the software is prohibitively expensive for the ocassional user. Furthermore, it may not be practical for you to make PostScript files on your computer. If this is the case, your option is to provide camera-ready copy.

Camera-ready copy that you provide will either be reproduced with our process camera or scanned into our computer system. For best results, observe the following guidelines:

• Camera-ready output is from a black-and-white laser printer or imagesetter, 300 dots per inch or higher (600 dpi preferred).
• Advertising materials or logos are provided on printed "slicks" or graphic arts material, such as "velox" or photostats.
• There are no screens (shaded areas) or colors. If screens or colors are desired, mark them on a separate overlay and we will add them in our stripping department.
• If there are screens, the line screen ruling is no greater than 120 lines per inch (most laser printers are best suited for 85 lines per inch).

The following media will not reproduce well:

• Photocopies
• Faxes
• Color or inkjet prints
• Thermographed materials (raised printing)
• Printed material that was made with process color or metallic inks
• Line screens higher than 133 lines per inch, or with dithered patterns

Do not ask us to reproduce these items:

• Copyrighted material that you do not have permission to reproduce. This includes photos, maps, and artwork printed in magazines, catalogs, books, brochures, etc. Copyright protection also extends to web pages. Remember, somebody else may have paid several hundred dollars to use or create an image. Its appearance in print on or the Internet does not put it into the public domain. Also, just because it does not have a copyright symbol does not mean it is not copyrighted. Grunwald Printing will refuse to reproduce any material that we believe violates the owner's copyright.
• US paper currency, except as permitted by Federal law. Currency may be reproduced as one-sided, black & white or color, and must be smaller than 75% or larger than 150% of actual size.

Photographs top of page

Grunwald Printing offers professional drum scanning for color photos. The Scanview ScanMate 5000 scanner that we use has a maximum resolution of 5,000 dots per inch. This allows us to capture much more detail than a 1200 dot per inch flatbed scanner, so we are able to enlarge photos and slides by 1500% or more. Halftones are created with either a LinoColor Saphir flatbed scanner, or with the ScanMate if necessary. Our operators understand the process of color separation and printing, and work hard to faithfully recreate your photos.

To help us provide the best scans possible, please observe the following guidelines:

• Maximum size for originals should not exceed 8-1/2 inches by 11-1/2 inches.
• Color originals that will be drum-scanned must be flexible and smooth, so they wrap around the drum without buckling.
• For halftone reproduction, black and white photographic prints are preferred, but color originals are acceptable.
• Photographic prints should have a gloss finish. Matte or "studio" finishes tend to scatter light on the surface, which creates visual noise in dark areas.
• 35mm slides and medium- and large-format transparencies are preferred for color reproduction, although color prints are acceptable (see "finish" note above).
• 35mm negatives are acceptable if they are accompanied by an accurate color print.

Some things to watch out for:

• Photos that have previously been printed will have to be "re-screened" to prevent a condition called "moiré." This process usually results in a loss of detail, especially if the photo now needs to be enlarged, or if the printing had a coarse line screen, as with newspaper photos.
• Do not attach your photos to a page with paper clips, glue or staples! If you need to show position on a page, it is best to make a photocopy of the picture, trim out the copy and position the copy on the page. If you want to keep a photo or group of photos with a single page, place them in an envelope, then attach the envelope to the page.
• Color copies do not reproduce well; photos printed on inkjet printers reproduce even worse. Neither of these is an adequate substitute for a photographic print.

Furnished Film top of page

You should contact your Sales or Customer Service Representative to determine the requirements for furnished film, since these will depend on the publication size and the paper used. Generally speaking though, these specifications should be followed:

• 133 lpi for uncoated paper
• 150 lpi for coated (glossy) paper; 175 lpi on request
• Crop marks to indicate page size
• 1/8" bleed beyond page trim
• Process color total ink coverage (TIC) should not exceed 280%
• Registration marks in corners or on each page edge; marks should begin no more than 1/4" from page edge
• Film separations must be labeled with color names