Paper weight conversion chart – pounds to gsm

May 22, 2009 by Brenda Bell · 5 Comments
Filed under: Digital Printing, Educational, Paper 

Digital color machines (like the Konica Minolta we have) are more particular about paper weights than our offset presses. For this reason most digital machines use grams/square meter instead of the conventional weight system. This is more accurate in the fact that it doesn’t vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. The caliper of one manufacturer’s 100# cover may be different from the caliper of another manufacturer’s paper in the same weight. No so with gsm weights.

Below is a conversion chart from the conventional weight system to gsm (and visa versa). Most production digital color machines, including ours cannot run heavier than 300 gsm stock. Using the chart below, you can see this is approx. 110# cover, depending on the manufacturer that is.

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Tips for Submitting a Print Project

May 19, 2009 by Brenda Bell · 2 Comments
Filed under: Design, Educational, Preflighting, Prepress, Technology 

There are several simple guidelines that designers and file submitters can follow to avoid unnecessary prepress charges and project delays.

To ensure a file outputs correctly and consistently it is helpful to have the following:

  • The native art file (sometimes called layout file). This is the file that you would produce in a layout program such as Indesign or Quark.
  • All support files. A support file is anything brought into the layout program, such as an image. When you import a file (like an image), the layout program does not place the entire image; it only places a low-resolution preview and creates a link to the actual file. This means if the support file that is referenced in the layout file is not provided, we cannot output that image. Also be sure to update all of your links before submitting files for printing.
  • All fonts. Due to so many different variations and versions of fonts, it is best to have the font used to create the layout to ensure that your type does not re-flow and otherwise look different that intended. Also, it is worth noting not to use the italic and bold buttons within programs. Use the Italic and Bold versions of the actual font.
  • Lasers or a pdf of the file that you are sending us so we can have something to reference to ensure your file outputs the way you intended.

or….

  • A press quality pdf (such as a pdf built to the x1a-2001 standard) with bleeds

Providing us with all of the types of files is very easy these days with built in features in common layout applications. With the click of a mouse, these features will copy all the necessary files into a folder for you.

  • In Indesign this feature is called Package. Package is located under File > Package.
  • In Quark this feature is called Collect for Output. Collect is located under File > Collect for Output
  • In other programs such as Illustrator, Freehand, CorelDraw etc. the files linked in the layout program and the fonts will have to be tracked down and put in a folder manually.

Here are some other guidelines that will help your digital files not only become a printed reality, but look their best while staying on budget and on schedule.

  • Make sure all images are 250 – 300 dpi when placed at 100%
  • Make sure all images are converted to CMYK
  • Build files to final size and in reader’s spreads. This means if your intended product is 5×8, make the page size in your layout 5×8. If the project includes bleeds (where ink runs off the edge of the paper), extend your images or color 1/8 of an inch beyond the edge of the page where bleeds are intended. If your file is built in printer’s spreads, please inform us so that we can make sure your project is imposed properly.

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Tips for making electronic dielines and varnish plates

March 12, 2009 by Brenda Bell · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Bindery, Design, Educational, Finishing, Prepress 

Here are some tips for creating die lines for your projects that require special finishing processes such as foil stamping, embossing and die cutting.

  • Always create dies as vector art. This is due to the fact that the machines that read the die lines and in turn cut and bend the metal to make your die, can only read vector information. The most popular ways to make a vector die line are by using your page layout program (such as quark or indesign) or using your vector art program (such as illustrator).
  • The only exception the rule above is when making a sculpted emboss die. Sculpted emboss dies can include raster (pixel based) information, however they are quite expensive to make.
  • If you would like to show your die line over your art instead of a separate file, spec it as a spot color in your layout or vector art application and put it on a separate layer. This will allow you to toggle the die line’s visibility on and off .
  • On foil and emboss dies, make the areas that you want embossed or foiled 100% of a solid pms color. The areas without the color will in the case of embossing, stay flat and in the case of foiling, not foil. This can also be applied to specifying which areas on a printed piece get spot varnish or spot uv applied.

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