Disk Preparation Guidelines for: QuarkXPress

TVP currently accepts documents created in QuarkXPress for Macintosh and Windows of all versions. The following paragraphs present preparation guidelines which will prevent the most common causes of printing error. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in corrective charges and printing delays. Please call TVP at (256)353-8991 if you require further information on preparing your Quark XPress documents.

Document Setup

When creating a single sheet document such as a postcard or sell sheet, please set your document dimensions under File: Document Setup... to the size of the final piece prior to folding. For example, a letter size document, even if it is being folded, should be set up as 8.5" x 11" within XPress. Similarly, a 6" x 4" postcard should be set up on a 6" x 4" page. When creating a multisheet document such as a catalog or booklet, please set Document Setup... to the size of a single page. For example, a letter-size booklet has pages sized 8.5" X 11". Since TVP uses high-end imposition software to create printer spreads from sequential pages, it usually is not necessary to set up spreads manually, i.e. do not create eight 11 " X 17" pages to represent the two-page spreads of a letter size 1 6-page catalog. Designs which contain pockets and flaps sometimes dictate the manual setup of spreads. Please call TVP to further discuss the setup of your document if your design calls for pockets or flaps.

Color Builds

Unless you are paying for a Pantone or other spot color ink, all color fills, strokes and gradients created in XPress or imported into XPress from other applications must be converted to CMYK process. For each color listed under Edit: Colors... check the Process Separation box . If you are paying for a spot ink, be aware that blends and gradients between spot and process colors are not printable.

Fonts

TVP accepts Macintosh TrueType and Adobe PostScript Type 1 fonts. Please supply all typefaces and styles (e.g. Times-Bold, Times-ltalic, Times-Bold-ltalic) listed under Utilities: Font Usage... as well as all typefaces and styles used in any linked graphics. When supplying a Macintosh PostScript font, be sure to include the font suitcase and the PostScript font portions of the typeface. When supplying a Macintosh TrueType font, only the font suitcase is necessary. Macintosh TrueType fonts can be identified by opening the font suitcase and locating files with a triple-"A" icon. Most Macintosh fonts are located in the FONTS folder found within the SYSTEM FOLDER. Only use those typefaces and styles installed on your system. Do not use Quark XPress software emulated or redundant styles in your type from the measurements dialog box Style: Type Style menu or the Style: Character menu. For example, XPress will allow you to boldface Helvetica-Regular even if your system does not contain Helvetica-Bold. In some typefaces the difference between a bolded roman and a true bold are slight, but in other faces the difference is quite drastic and can cause text reflow when printed to an imagesetter. Print problems also arise when using the Outline and Drop Shadow styles in XPress. Avoid mixing TrueType and PostScript fonts in the same document.

Linked Graphics

Please supply all graphics files listed under Utilities: Picture Usage... as well as any graphics which may have been placed or "nested" within them. Unless you are paying for a spot ink, all color elements placed into XPress should be in the CMYK color model. Please supply all linked graphics in .TIF or.EPS format. TVP only accepts .EPS graphics created in Adobe Photoshop 2.0 and above, Adobe Illustrator 1.1 and above, Corel Draw 3.0 and above, or Macromedia (Aldus) Freehand 4.0 and above. Avoid the nesting of .EPS graphics within other.EPS graphics. While it is possible to export a Freehand graphic to Illustrator and then export the Illustrator graphic to XPress, the XPress document may not print. Be aware that some .EPS files cannot be edited for changes.

Bleed

All elements meant to bleed must be extend 1/8" (.125") beyond the page boundary. All elements not meant to bleed must remain at least 3/16 (.1875") from the edges to avoid being trimmed.

Trapping

Use only default trapping.