Artwork Specifications
We want to provide the best high-quality service to all our clients. To better assist you please carefully read over the following information regarding file submission to TNC™ Publishing Group.
PREFERRED FORMATS
We accept images and working files in the following formats:
- QuarkXpress *.QXP files up to version 7,
- Adobe Illustrator *.AI files up to version 10,
- CorelDraw files up to version 9,
- Adobe Photoshop *.PSD files up to version 7,
- TIFF, EPS, BMP, GIF, JPEG and most other traditional graphic formats (minimal or no compression please), and
- Layered or flat PDF files (must be Press Optimized)
GRAPHICS FROM THE WEB
Files from websites are usually in a JPEG or GIF format. These graphics are also approximately 72 DPI. These JPEG and GIF images would need to be reformatted to 300 DPI. In order to get to that DPI, the image must be reduced to about 25% of the size it is on the website. If the graphics are big enough, they can be scaled to the appropriate size. In most cases, that’s not the way to go due to the loss of quality and size.
WHAT IS A TIFF?
A TIFF is made from a bunch of pixels (little coloured dots). Unlike an Illustrator/CorelDraw file which is made up of vector shapes. Vector files can be enlarged from a postage stamp to a billboard the size of a house and not lose any quality. When a TIF is enlarged, it goes down in quality. So it is very important to build it at the right size.
CAN I SCAN MY BUSINESS CARD?
Yes, but we’d rather have a better quality original graphic if available. Chances are if you had a business card printed, there is “computer artwork” somewhere. Call your printer. They may have it. Scanning a business card causes a serious problem known as re-screening which creates a checkerboard pattern over the image. In order to fix the problem, photos have to be blurred which reduces the quality and professionalism of the image drastically.