Software Versions
You may send us files from the software packages listed on this page.
Avoid delays...
If you have a more recent version of the software than that
listed here (ie. with a higher version number), use the File menu, Save As command to save your file in
one of the versions below, so we can open your files without delay.
Download our Artwork Guide.
(Right-click and select "Save Target As" to save a copy to your hard drive
Whatever software you use...
...please print out and send us a hard copy
proof (at full-size if possible) so we know how your work should
look. If sending a smaller print (50%, 75%, etc.), please write the size on
your proof, and mark trim lines, folds, etc. If your job is double-sided,
you should indicate how the pages back up.
Illustrator Creative Suite 3 (CS3)
If you have used any fonts in your file,
please make sure they are embedded in the file.
Or, in a COPY of your original file, select
all text and use the "Create Outlines" option (so you will not need
to send us the fonts). Caution: you should do
this on a COPY of your file, as after converting text to outlines, you will
no longer be able to edit the text in your file.
Photoshop Creative Suite 3 (CS3)
Make sure you have created your file at the
correct size and resolution, especially if you have imported images into your
Photoshop file. Please read our page on File Size &
Resolution before sending your file. If you still have any questions, you
can phone us. Text is best sent as an EPS file, or send in your text separately
and let us set it.
If there is editable text in your .psd file, you must supply the fonts used as well.
CorelDraw 9
Note: we do not accept native Corel Draw files - instead, you should save
and send your file as an .eps (File menu> Save As, then choose this option). As with Illustrator, you must either embed your fonts or convert all text to outlines. To change text to outlines in CorelDraw, select
all text, then use the "Convert to Curves" command. (See CorelDraw's
Help files.)
Adobe Acrobat 8
A .pdf file is suitable for single colour or full-colour
work. For spot-colour jobs, we prefer to receive files in their original format as we have more control over trapping,which will give you a better result. For single-colour jobs, please
create your artwork in black and white (regardless of the colour it is to
be printed).
When creating your .pdf (Portable
Document File), please be sure to use the Print Options to:
- Save your file for Print (2400 dpi, 175 lpi)
- Embed your fonts (see the Acrobat Help file for how to do this).
There are many applications which can now
create PDFs. PDFs created by the Mac OSX operating system are low-resolution
files, and are not suitable for print.
Quark XPress 6.5
You can provide native files (.qxd files) for Quark XPress.
Use XPress' Collect for Output command to gather all images and fonts. Double-check
that all fonts are included, particularly if there are any which have not been
embedded in included EPS files.
Microsoft Word and Excel
Microsoft Word and Excel programs are not suitable for accurate page layout. They are not suitable for graphic or color work,
as they create RGB
colour, not CMYK. Also, text formatting depends
on the print driver chosen for file creation, so there is no guarantee that
Word documents will look the same on our computers as they do on yours. You will be charged for the time taken to create print-ready files from your Word or Excel files.
Checklist for avoiding problems with your
Word/Excel files:
- Send us a printed copy of your document (choose your desktop printer's
highest quality). Laser print-outs are better than inkjet. The printed proof
you send ensures we see the Word document the same way as you do.
- Don't use WordArt.
- Avoid using bold, italic or outlined styling from the Formatting toolbar as these styles can't be guaranteed
to print properly.
- Send the fonts used in your document separately.
- Also send your images as separate files. Pictures need to be of high
quality - see our page on File Size & Resolution
for details.
An important note about fonts...
Please send us your fonts (PostScript fonts preferred) along with your files. Users of older Apple Macs: please
send screen and printer fonts.
Alternatively, in some applications, you
can convert your text to Outlines (or Curves, depending on the software you
are using). Do the conversion on a COPY of your original file. However, be
aware that this means we will not be able to make any last-minute text corrections:
for corrections, you will need to re-send us your file.
Other programs?
Provided that you use our guidelines for supplying
images for printing and refer to our our checklist,
you may find other software packages that can help you prepare artwork for
printing. Just make sure you stick with the industry-standard file
formats, and you should be OK (view information about file formats). If in doubt, please call us for advice
on 01933 44 34 55.
Click here to download the full (pdf) version of Admiral's Artwork Guide.
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