Introduction of Prepress Workflow

April 2008

Prepress Workflow

File Formats

File formats we like to receive for our prepress workflow:

1) PDF files with embedded fonts. Please do not embed any ICC Profile in the file except images.

2) For Application files (such as InDesign, QuarkXpress etc.)created on PC, please let us know what operating system you have used for your file creation. For example: The fonts you use in InDesign and operate on Wins2000 may not work on our Wins98, that’s why we must match your OS with appropriate software and fonts.

Software list and versionsSoftware list for MacPhotoshop 5, 6, 7, CS~CS3PageMaker 6, 6.5, 6.5CTQuarkXPress 4.0, 4.0C, Passport 5, 6, 7FreeHand 8, 8CT, 9, 10, MXIndesign CS~CS3Acrobat 4, 5, CS~CS3

Photoshop 5, 6, 7, CS~CS3Software list for PC

PageMaker 6, 6.5, 6.5CTQuarkXPress 4.0, 4.0C, Passport 5, 6

Acrobat 4, 5, CS~CS3Founder Fit 4

FreeHand 8, 8CT, 9, 10Indesign CS~CS3

Imposition SoftwarePrepsFlat Worker

Profile Maker 4, 5Color Management Software

EFI ColorProof XF 3.x

Operation System

Mac OSX 10.4Mac OSX 10.5

PC Window 2003

PC Window 98CMac OS 9.22

PC Window XPPC Window 98Cs

Media

Clients can supply materials to us in many ways:

1) DVD2) CD3) MO / ZIP4) Film5) FTP (file size not more than 200MB)

PreflightMajor things we will check after receiving files from clients:

1) Fonts: PDF (embedded or not), Application files (any missing fonts not copied)

2) Images: PDF (CMYK or not), Application files (any missing images, CMYK or not) Whether there are any low resolution images (at least 300dpi for images and 1200dpi for line art)

3) Page Size: PDF and Application files (match to the trimmed size on client order)For PDF files, the trimmed size page needs to be centered within the media box layout.

Preflight

4) Bleed: PDF and Application files (at least 3mm)

5) Color quantity: no of colors used in PDF and Application files (match to client order)

6) Color on press: PDF and Application filesWe will confirm whether the colors on our printing press can match to the client’s color proof.

Trim mark

Bleed margin (from trim size to bleed margin at least 3mm)

Registration mark

Tint color

Image

Object naming on file page layout

Three kinds of font type you can use on your files:

1) Open Type: can be used on both PC and Mac.

2) Postscript font: this font has separate PC and Mac versions, each with:i) Screen font for display, andii) Printer font for output.

3) TrueType font: this font has separate PC and Mac versions, but we prefer clients NOT to use this type of font since it may sometimes cause problems during output.

Font type

Color Management

Types of proofs we use to match on our printing press:

1) Digital proof or wet proof supplied by clients, or

2) Digital proof or wet proof outputted by C&C as requested by clients.

Color ManagementOur recommendations for digital proof supplied by clients:

We strongly recommend clients to apply our C&C ICC profile to output their digital proof to minimize the color difference on our printing press.

Please visit the C&C web-site for our ICC profile:http://www.candcprinting.com/eng/product/pcp_dwndam.aspx or contact your C&C Sales representative.

Color Management

We will match the colors on our printing press with the digital or wet proof supplied by clients:

1) Firstly, we will check if there is any color discrepancy between your supplied files and color proofs.

2) If any major issue is found, we will create an ICC profile for color conversion when necessary.

Color Matching on press with digital proofColor chart from press

Measure data with press sheet

Print to

Use the measured data to create ICC Profile

Add the ICC Profile on system to output digital proof

Ensure the digital proof to match our press sheet

Output color chart by color proof device

Color Management

Our C&C ICC profile is for clients to add to their digital proof device for better color matching on our press. Clients MUST remember to dolinearization before adding our ICC profile to their own digital proof device.

2) How to use our C&C ICC profile:

1) Function of the ECI 2002 color chart:a) Making ICC profile;b) Measuring Delta E values (Delta E less than 4 is our aim value).

Color Management

In order to ensure the colors on your digital proof match to our printing press, please check whether the following steps have been taken when you apply our C&C ICC profile.

a) Firstly, run linearization on your digital proof device;

b) Then add our C&C ICC profile to your digital proof device after linearization.

DTP

Our DTP (Desktop Publishing) service provides client with:

1) Page make-up for Application files only;

2) Process in RIP of single pages for both PDF and Application files;

3) Film output and digital proof of single pages for both PDF and Application files;

4) File revision for both PDF and Application files.

CTP

Our CTP (Computer to Plate) process enables:

1) Imposition make up;

2) Imposition process in RIP;

3) Output of plate, film and digital proof (from imposition).

Archive systemYour files are secured with our internal backup:

1) DLT tape backup (ensure data backup of temporary files when the system is corrupted, usually keep for one month)a) Incremental backup per 2 days;b) Full backup per month.

2) DVD backup :a) Application files (PDF or Quark, Indesign etc., usually

keep for at least 2 years);b) RIP files (final output files of Prinergy or Trueflow,

usually keep forever).

Upload and Download from FTP

1) We suggest clients to use the following software to upload and download from the FTP:a) Fetch for Macb) Cute FTP for PC

2) Do NOT use IE to upload and download from the FTP due to two disadvantages:a) If there are file problems during the transfer,

you must start the whole process all over again.b) The transferring time using IE is much longer

compared to using Fetch or Cute FTP.