Digital Solution Centers

File Format Guidelines for Offset Plate

Accepted File Formats submitted directly to a Digital Solution Center

• Preferred file format – PDFx1a
• Pages submitted to a DSC may be processed for either offset plate or gravure engraving. Other file formats must be discussed and agreed upon prior to submitting files.

General Design Guidelines for Offset Plate

Page Construction

File Size – Build single pages. Build all pages to trim size, and extend the bleed 1/8 inch beyond the document page preferably on all sides or at the very least at head, foot, and front.

Cropping – Trim box (geometry) must be set. Media box, Art box, or Bounding box must be exactly one inch larger than and set relative to trim size. Output with crop and registration marks turned on, and set the offset to at least 12 points (.1667"). Any exceptions must be communicated in advance.

Orientation – Build all pages at the same orientation and right reading. Pages must display with the head of the page at the top of the display. Any exceptions must be communicated to the RR Donnelley facility processing submitted pages.

Resolution – Continuous tone images meant for high-resolution output should be set to an effective resolution greater than or equal to 266 ppi. For nested Raster data, the CT resolution should be 300 dpi (11.81102 dpmm). LW resolution should be 2400 dpi (94.48819 dpmm). Running resolution settings out to the 5th decimal for dots per millimeter will eliminate the risk of introducing artifacts when pages are rendered through some Ripping Systems. Consistent resolution within a job is required.

Total Density – Total CMYK overprint densities should not exceed 300‰. Fade off tones should equal a 3-4‰ dot size.

Type Safety – Leave a safety margin of 3/16 inch for type and other elements not intended to bleed. Shingling requirements and/or instructions should be provided in advance.

File Format Guidelines for Gravure Engraving

Accepted File Formats submitted directly to a Gravure Print Facility

• Preferred file format – Tiff/IT-P1 (CT, LW, MP, HC, & FP)
• Alternate file formats:
  • Scitex Native: CT, LW, NLW
  • Scitex Handshake: CT, LW
  • PDFx1a
• Pages submitted to a Gravure Print Facility are processed for gravure engraving only. PDFx1a is accepted when Tiff/IT P1 delivery is not possible. Prior testing and scheduling must be discussed prior to file delivery. See Additional Raster Guidelines for Gravure Engraving.

General Design Guidelines for Gravure Engraving

Page Construction

File Size – Build single pages unless part of a center spread or crossover spread. Build all pages to trim size, and extend the bleed 1/8 inch beyond the document page at head, foot, and front (fore–edge). No bleed at fold – Ex. 8"x 10" would be 8 1/8"x10 ¼"). All pages of the same printing size should be made to the same file size.

Cropping – Pages must be cropped to page trim size plus bleed. (No extra space for scales, corner marks, register marks, labels, etc.) Any exceptions must be communicated in advance and if agreed upon may incur extra charges. The CT and LW of a page should be supplied the same size. For supplied PDF files, the offset and live image position of the upper-left corner mark must not vary within the PDF file.

Orientation – Build all pages at the same orientation and right reading.Pages must display with the head of the page at the top of the display. Any exceptions must be communicated to the RR Donnelley facility processing submitted pages. Top left corner of page should start at 0,0 position. (Exception: Broadsheet pages should be head left right reading as it appears on the screen.)

Resolution – Preferred CT resolution should be 300 dpi (11.81102 dpmm). LW resolution should be 2400 dpi (94.48819 dpmm). Most commonly, files are accepted at CT = res 12 and LW = res 72. Note: LW should be exact multiples of the CT resolution, such as 1800 or 2400 dpi.

Total Density – Preferred total CMYK overprint densities should be 320‰ but not to exceed 340‰. A 5‰ dot size is recommended for Critical Image Areas (areas where the image is important to the message of an advertisement or editorial. At a minimum, it is recommended to maintain a 5% dot). Fade off tones should equal a 3-4‰ dot size.

Type Safety – For Bindery jobs, leave a safety margin of 1/4 inch for type and other elements not intended to bleed. For press delivered jobs, leave a safety margin of 1/8 inch for type and other elements not intended to bleed. Shingling requirements and/or instructions should be provided in advance.

Colors – Avoid using a color palette of more than 255 colors. (The result will be the creation of a NLW or HC file that would hinder doing color corrections.) Delete any unused colors. Any special inks or fragrance usage is limited to 1 per print side. Use of these must be discussed and approved by RRD Sales prior to page delivery. Once approved, the special ink or fragrance is to be supplied as a separate 100‰ yellow tone.

Design Guidelines

Fonts – Do not "menu-style" your fonts. These styles may not have matching printer fonts available and may not print correctly. For effects such as bold or italic, select a bold or italic font.

Type and Rules:

• All typesetting should be done in an application that will retain the vector properties of the text. Doing so will allow all type, regardless of color, to be in the LW file.
• Typeface size and geometry will greatly affect reproduction and the ability to maintain print registration.
• Avoid fine serifs, small lettering, and small artwork.
• Avoid (100% key only) overprint type and hairline rules less than .007 inch or 1/2 point.
• The key type should overprint the background free of C, M, Y drop out.
• Avoid 100% four-color type. (This would equate to 400% total density which is noncompliant)
• Reverse lettering should be carried in the areas of the illustration that will offer maximum contrast between the reverse type and the images.
• Reversed type, 2, 3, 4 color type, and reversed rules should not be less than approximately .014 inch or 1 point at the thinnest part of the rule or character.
• When type prints in a heavy 4 color background, the underlying colors should be spread or choke as needed for better register control.
• Gray type (black type that is less than 100%) should be set to knockout so as to maintain the gray tone. Avoid "gray-on-gray" situations where gray type is surrounded by gray background color. If densities are similar, the gray text will blend into the background and appear as if it has disappeared.
• Exporting a PDF from InDesign is not recommended. Composite fonts (also known as CID or "Identity-H" fonts) have been known to have problems from time to time. It is best to avoid them. If a customer accepts files from advertisers which contain composite fonts, or export PDFs from any version of InDesign which converts all fonts to the composite format, there is a risk that the fonts will not image correctly.

Trapping:

• To avoid bleed into small reverse type or rules and to create proper abutment of elements, the customer or file supplier is responsible for trapping between colors, borders, rules, etc.
• Pages should be trapped as the page creation software allows.
• Pre-existing chokes/spreads are retained in CTs, Tiffs, and Raster EPS images that may be placed into a desktop layout document.
• Typically, in a composite color workflow, overprints and knockouts are retained in files created by desktop publishing software packages like QuarkXpress and Adobe InDesign. Chokes and spreads are not retained in these software packages.
• Additional charges will apply for any additional trapping performed by RRD.

Colors:

• Avoid using a color palette of more than 255 colors. Delete any unused colors.
• Define all colors as CMYK builds unless the color will print as a spot color on press.
• Spot colors must not have any alternate color spaces other than CMYK.
• Do not save TIFF or EPS files with embedded color management profiles.
• Do not enable your page layout application´s color management tools, as these settings may be lost once your files leave your production environment.
• RGB, LAB, and ICC based colors must be converted to CMYK for print.

Design Tips

• InDesign "Fat" Type – Often when type is wrapped around an image, or if it just flows near it, the type can appear fattened or bold when the PDF is created. This is the result of transparency flattening, layering, and how the PostScript file is written. When InDesign writes the PostScript file, it must flatten all elements on the page into one layer. In doing this it can rasterize type that intersects an image even though this might not be apparent (it may intersect the part of the image that is not visible because it is outside of the picture box mask). The simple way to prevent this is to make sure that the type is "above" the image. To do this you can build your type on a layer above they image or select the type and choose "object – Arrange – Bring to Front". Another method is to "Outline" theaffected text or linework while in InDesign.
• InDesign or Illustrator Gradients and Vignettes – Vector gradients and vignettes made directly from InDesign or from Illustrator can be very complex to RIP and take excessive time to make plates. Rasterizing the gradient or vignette in Illustrator or Photoshop (at 300 dpi) and then placing it into your layout program as an image will greatly reduce
• Typesetting – All typesetting should be done in an application that will retain the vector properties of the text. Do not rasterize the text with pre-press editing software like Adobe Photoshop. The result of doing so will cause screened text on output to a postscript-printing device. Text should be saved as (vector) elements of the postscript file or in the line work layer of a raster file format such as Tiff-IT P1 or CT/LW.

Proofing guidelines

Color Contract Proof

• All pages should be delivered with a 4/color (CMYK) contract proof (also known as Color Guidance or Digital Contact Proof).
• All proofs must be clearly identified (marked) with computer printed folio, version information, generating file name, date, time, and customer sign-off.
• Each proof needs to be identified as a "For Color " proof.
• Each proof should be a "final " proof.
• Each proof must have a minimum 5mm x 5mm C, M, Y, K tone bar showing 25‰, 50‰, 75‰, and 100‰ dot percentage steps. RR Donnelley uses various measuring devices to measure proof consistency.
• Each color proof must also have a minimum 8 mm X 8 mm Y,M,C, Equal Value tone bar consisting of 5‰, 10‰, 20‰, 30‰, 40‰, 50‰, 60‰, 70‰, 80‰, 90‰, and 100‰ steps. This scale will enable the colorimetric evaluation of the color proof. The size requirement is to accommodate the strip readers. Upon request, RR Donnelley will supply a TIF file representing this tone bar.
• Preferred color proofs: (a) Kodak Approval calibrated to the Kodak SWOP Application Data Sheet or (b) any proof closely calibrated to CGATS-TR001 using a high quality, color-managed proofing system. This includes a number of inkjet proofing systems on the market today. When possible, proofing stock and/or calibrations should be adjusted to accurately represent the color and brightness of the actual production stock.
• Alternative is IRIS, Veris, Epson Stylus Pro paired with ORIS Color Tuner, or MatchPrint calibrated to SWOP standards.
• To allow verification of calibration and to monitor proof consistency, proofs containing test images and measurement targets should be provided at the initiation of a new job and at quarterly intervals.

Content Proof

• All pages should be delivered with a content proof (also known as a Copy Proof, Red Print, Stat"s, Blue-line, Position Proof, or Printout).
• All proofs must be clearly identified (marked) with computer printed folio, version information, generating file name, date , time, color breaks, and customer sign-off.
• "For position only (FPO)" graphics must be marked as "FPO".
• Each proof needs to be identified as a "Content" proof.
• Each proof should be a "final" proof.
• Each proof must include all surprint, reverse, and color type; and must be free from all markings indicating changes as compared to the supplied contract proof.
• Each content proof must be made from the same file as the contract proof.
• Each proof must be supplied at 100% size for proofreading and/or cursory content verification purposes.
• All versions should have a separate content proof. If versions are included, a version chart indicating base pages, black only, or four–color changes are required.

Delivery Guidelines

Common File Delivery Methods for all RRD Centers – Telecommunications / Media

• Wam!Net – Each RRD Facility has a Wam!Net NAD (Network Accessible Device) and will work with you to setup hot folders for sending and receiving files. For assistance, please contact the Technical Staff at the facility receiving submitted files.
• Wam!Gate – another method for transmitting files to a RRD Facility via the Wam!Net network is through the use of an Internet Wam!Gate account. This setup is for customers or file suppliers who would like to utilize their Internet connection for transmitting files via FTP or HTTP. Files would arrive on the RRD Facility´s Wam!Net NAD. For assistance, please contact the Technical Staff at the facility receiving submitted files.
• Mass Transit Point to Point or FTP – not all RR Donnelley Facilities have this service. For assistance, please contact the Technical Staff at the facility receiving submitted files.
• Stand–alone FTP Server – not all RR Donnelley Facilities have this service. For assistance, please contact the Technical Staff at the facility receiving submitted files.
• CD-ROM is acceptable if an electronic delivery method is not possible.
• DVD is acceptable if an electronic delivery method is not possible.

DSC Preferred File Delivery Method – Telecommunications

• Kodak® InSite Web Services – This is the preferred method for delivering files to a RRD Digital Solution Center. Each RRD Digital Solution Center has this service. Kodak® InSite is a portal to the prepress environment that lets printers and their customers work with print jobs over the Internet. Synapse InSite helps to manage the proofing, correction, and approval process so that it is more efficient. For assistance, please contact the Technical Staff at the facility receiving submitted files.

PDF File Guidelines for Offset Plate and Gravure Engraving

A digital file that can be prepared and viewed on-screen, by anyone, anywhere, is a powerful tool in the arsenal of print production. The Portable Document Format (PDF) is just such a digital file. PDF files give a good impression of how the page will look upon output; however, keep in mind that merely generating a PDF will not fix a poorly constructed page. To ensure its suitability for print, take it a step further and make it a PDFx–1a file – a focused subset of PDF designed specifically for reliable prepress data interchange–which can help you realize the full potential of this flexible and efficient file format.

General Guidelines

Please follow:

• Offset Plate File Format and Design Guidelines
• Gravure Engraving File Format and Design Guidelines
• Design Guidelines
• File Delivery Guidelines
• File Naming Guidelines

PDFx–1a received at a RR Donnelley Center must be undamaged.

All component files and resources (linked EPS and TIFF images) must be embedded. Embedded raster files must be in composite TIFF or EPS format. Do not place a pre-separated element in a page that will be output as composite. Note: Nesting EPS files within EPS files can cause errors. Placed DCS files containing raster data with non-compliant output resolutions can cause artifacts. These situations are not recommended in files intended for print.

ZIP and JPEG compression may be used in images. However, note: JPEG compression may cause artifacts in some images.

OPI is allowed for assets stored at a DSC where RR Donnelley has provided the low-resolution placement files.

All fonts must be properly embedded. This includes the Standard 14 fonts (PostScript Type 1 fonts built into most PostScript output devices).

To create a good PDF file from an approved application document, follow these recommended steps:

• Print PostScript to file
• Never "Save pages as PDF"
• Convert to PDF/X using Acrobat Distiller
• The following are not allowed in the PDF/X specification:
  • JBIG and LZW compression
  • Department Security
  • Embedded Scripts, Actions, and PostScript fragments
  • Pre-separated pages
  • Customer transfer curves, halftones, halftone phases, and rendering intents

The RRD Center Technical Staff can provide application assistance and Distiller job options to facilitate PDFx-1a creation.

PDF File Guidelines for Offset Plate and Gravure Engraving

• The DCS2 file format is not accepted due to CT and LW being combined.
• All components of a page (ex. CT/LW/FP) must be furnished in the same subdirectory.
• RIP vignettes to the CT layer instead of the LW layer.
• Avoid using PDF 1.4 style transparency using layered CTs. This can create many CT-to-CT edges that may cause processing failure. RIP CT-to-CT borders to CT resolution to resolve this.
• When creating TIFF/IT sets, try to avoid CT content in the LW file.
• Avoid or simplify high-resolution contone (HC) components. If you must include HC components, try to minimize the amount of data that they contain. For example, avoid photograph-like content. Text and flat tints in the HC are acceptable. (Note for files supplied to the Mattoon Gravure Print Facility – Avoid HC components on Ad Pages.)
• Merge separated CT/LW pages before submitting to RR Donnelley.
• Separated CT/LW files are not supported.
• Furnish all page elements, for example, CT/ICT, LW/HC/ILW, ASSG/FP/IFP. If elements are missing, the file cannot be processed.
• Copydot content should be resampled to 2400 dpi before processing into a CT/LW or TIFF/IT file. To output CT/LW without moire artifacts, you must use 2400 dpi Copydot content, RIPed to 2400 dpi LW, and output to a 2400 dpi device.