supply/distribution
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opportunities
for cost savings
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and performance
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advertisersconnects.com
FILE PREPARATION
gUIDELINES
File Delivery:
Please use our FTP site for delivery of all files. We have automation
built that is connected to FTP file uploads. The automation saves
money, increases accuracy and decreases turn-around time. To
electronically submit your file, please request an upload link or request
a user name and password to access our FTP site.
Software:
Use software for the purpose it was written, more specifically:
Use photo retouching software (Photoshop) for color adjustments
and image manipulation only. Use page makeup programs (Indesign,
Illustrator, Quark) for putting the images and graphics together into a
document.
Fonts:
Provide both the screen and printer fonts for all fonts used.
Include all fonts used in placed graphics such as EPS files.
As an alternative, you can convert text used in placed graphics to paths
but understand that if you want to make any changes to the type, we
will need the fonts. Use Adobe fonts whenever possible. Cheap fonts
can result in problems.
Files:
Please only send the file(s) that are used in your job!
If you are sending us files without sending us hardcopy, we ask that you
also send a PDF which we’ll use for quality control.
The best file you can send is a correctly built PDF. Our automation can
process the file without human intervention. However, if adjustments
need to be made, it is best for us to have your native files as well since
the PDF format limits what can be corrected. So, if you want to cover all
possibilities, please send your native files along with your PDF. Another
option would be for you to make corrections and resubmit the file but
that can take more time and cost than having us do it.
Colors
:
FILE
PREPARATION
gUIDELINES
Please make sure your file only contains the colors we will use to print the
file. If your file contains PMS colors, please make sure the PMS name is
used consistently throughout the document without any variations.
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FILE PREPARATION gUIDELINES
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materials
are delivered
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gUIDELINES
Photos: should
be in RGB with
the profile
attached
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consequences
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inefficient
print
supply
chain.
EPS or TIFF, or CMYK.
Resolution
300 ppiGroup
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the sizeclearly
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Research
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whyat in
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the
supply and distribution chain presents huge opportunities for cost
Using images
that areimprovements.
higher than 300 ppi will not necessarily increase
savings
and productivity
the quality of the image. Using images that are lower than 300 ppi can
• Nearly 40% of companies have poor visibility into print spending, and
result in jagged edges or blurry out-of-focus images.
31% have multiple functions or departments buying printed materials.
Graphics:
possible, create all graphics as vector files. Vector files
(AberdeenWhen
Group)
are resolution independent and will print sharply and in-focus at any
•size.
Eighty
percent
of companies
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of their is
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has theand
need.
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linked correctly.
• Because of the economics of traditional print production methods,
Bcompanies
leeds tend to purchase printed materials in large quantities, which
If increases
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contains
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the likelihood
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materialsthat
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obsolete
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they
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be
used.
Marketing
materials
are
particularly
vulnerable
to 1/8”
edge (bleeds), then your document must have a bleed size of
obsolescence.
Forty
percent
that track the obsolescence of
beyond
the page
trim
on allof4 companies
sides.
marketing
materials
say
they
waste
20%
or
moredocument
of their materials.
For example, If the final trimmed size of your
is 8.5”(CMO
x 11”,
Council)
the bleed size will be 8.75” x 11.25”. Note that perfect bound or loose-
documents
also spending
require aassociated
bleed at the
edge.
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Over
half of the total
withbinding
marketing
materials often
results from product obsolescence and from activities such as storage,
and inventory: management. (CMO Council)
Sfulfillment,
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our Document
The most efficient way for you to save your file is to use the tools
• Forty-five percent of “Best in Class” companies use Internet-based
provided
with your software. Indesign uses “Package” to gather all the
technologies to procure printed materials, but only 24% of all other firms
items
and
Quark uses
for Output”.
have implemented
such“Collect
technologies.
(Aberdeen Group)
• Just 20% of marketers have performed a comprehensive analysis of the
costs and process efficiencies in their marketing materials supply chain,
and only 11% have implemented new workflow systems to reduce costs
and inefficiencies. (CMO Council)
The potential for cost savings and productivity improvements becomes
even clearer when we consider the number of people, internal departments,
and external business partners that procure, require, or consume printed
materials and the number of unique printed materials that companies use.
• A company may have multiple functions or departments sourcing and
procuring printed materials from dozens of external vendors.
• Many companies will have hundreds of employees that frequently require
printed materials. In the marketing/sales area alone, a company may have
dozens of sales reps and/or hundreds of sales channel partners, all of
whom make frequent requests for printed marketing materials.
• Most large and mid-size companies will use dozens, if not hundreds, of
distinct printed documents and/or other printed materials.
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FILE
HOWPREPARATION
WEB-TO-PRINT OPTIMIZES
gUIDELINES
THE PRINT SUPPLY CHAIN
FILE PREPARATION gUIDELINES