Downloadable PDF: click here
We are pleased to provide this guide for our art requirements. Please try to follow them as closely as possible, any deviation may delay your order and require additional art charges.
General Requirements
All art should be complete and the correct size for the product you are ordering.
Allow 1/8” bleed all around using crop marks for copy placement. Items that don't bleed should be at least 1/8” from the edge. This changes for items that will bind, please contact your sales representative for details.
PDF Requirements
Pages should be set to 100% of printed size.
If image is to bleed please be sure to allow it correctly in your file.
If text is not set to curves please be sure to embed all fonts into file.
If job is to print in process make sure all graphics are CMYK and not RGB.
Make sure that all copy is centered within the PDF file. If graphics are to be off center this must be done in the page layout.
Text that is to print black must be 100% black only. Do not convert RBG black to CMYK black. This causes all converted black text to printing a combination of all CMYK colors or in screened black only.
Adobe users, when using transparencies please set “transparencies flattener” to high resolution.
Digital Art Requirements
You should include a hard copy print of your file for output comparison.
Preferred programs are High res Adobe PDF, InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop.
Photographs should be provided as a Tiff file (tagged image format file) or EPS file (encapsulated postscript file). Do not save ICC profiles with files.
Graphic files that are full color must be CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) and not RGB. (red, green, blue) If you have a RGB file you must first convert it to CMYK and do any necessary color corrections before you send the file.
Spot colors should be designed as PMS (Pantone matching system) colors. Do not mix process colors and spot colors on the same file unless that is what you really want. Make sure all colors are from the same Pantone library.
Files with linked images must include all the linked files and should be completely assembled and ready for output.
Photographs should be scanned at 300 dpi (dots per inch) and line art should be scanned at 1200 dpi. If you use a program that is not listed please contact your sales representative for additional information.
You must send all fonts that are used on your art. Please send only the fonts needed. If type 1 fonts are used be sure to include both the screen fonts and the printer fonts.
Do not use the “style” menu to designate style (bold, italic, etc…). Use the actual font from the font menu.
Sending Files
Files may be sent on CD, DVD, via e-mai or FTP.
PC and Mac jobs can be mailed to: jobs@cowanprinting.com
FTP: http://68.15.202.222:8080 click link and put in user:cowan pass:printing and go to browser uploader, browse for file then click start uploading
Remember to always keep an exact duplicate of each file sent. You never know when something may be lost or damaged in transit.
All files should be accompanied by some form of proof to show color breaks, type styles, and layout. If you send the files via e-mail, a proof should be sent by mail.
