Prepress Guidelines

These items most often cause problems in processing files and could result in additional cost or an undesirable printed product. To create successful files and minimize potential problems, please follow these guidelines and refer to the other prepress assistance pages. If you have questions or concerns, contact your account manager.

1. PAGE SIZE: Create your pages to the final, correct trim size of your publication. Be sure that the pages are the same size from file to file. Do not create double sized or oversized pages in the application program. Inconsistent and incorrect page sizes will affect the way graphics and text elements fit in the final printed product and can cost extra for intervention by our technicians to correct.

   Spine pages may be created as “approximate” page size. Generally 1” or 2” width is more than adequate. The type should be centered on the page for the width, and placed correctly in the vertical position. If applicable, bleeds should be created as noted below. For spines with wrap-around images, please contact us for dimensions in advance.

2. BLEEDS: You must allow for bleeds by creating elements with 9 pts or 1/8” past the trim in any bleed direction. Failure to extend bleeds correctly may result in white areas where the image should be or images appearing incorrectly on facing pages.
3. LIVE AREA: All text and images (except for bleeds) must be 1/4” from trim. Failure to allow sufficient live area may result in text or page elements trimming off in the final printed product.
4. RGB: Convert all RGB colors to CMYK in a graphic editing program such as Photoshop or Illustrator. Although our system will convert RGB to CMYK, the result is often less than desirable.
5. RULE WEIGHTS: Using predefined “hairline” rules in many applications creates problems in output. The minimum designation for hairline rules should be .25 points to help ensure uniformity. Our system will automatically adjust hairline rules to this minimum.
6. PDF FILES: We prefer a correctly created PDF file. You may also submit a correctly created Postcript file, but these files are considerably larger and take longer to load. You may also need to download some special settings. If you have questions, contact your account manager.
7. THIRD PARTY FILES: Files created by your advertisers or other third-party designers should follow the same guidelines that apply to your files. Please be sure your advertisers are submitting PDF files created with our settings.
8. BEFORE SUMITTING FILES: If you are new to The Ovid Bell Press, and the Insite system, we ask that you first obtain settings, print drivers and instructions (see PDF Assistance) and submit a test prior to sending a live job. If you change or upgrade your system or software, you may need to download new settings and submit a new test. Please contact your account manager for details.