Size: Documents are to be set to the specified trim size of the magazine with a minimum of 5mm bleed. When saving the postscript file set the paper width option to the document trim size plus an extra 30mm.

Fonts: Use only Postscript type 1 and Postscript type 3 fonts. TrueType fonts are not acceptable. Fonts are to be embedded in the final file and should be active on your system at the time of saving.

Images: Images and graphics used in the document must be saved as Grayscale or CMYK. Elements saved in the RGB or LAB colour mode are not acceptable.

Image file formats should be TIFF or composite EPS and should not be compressed. Other formats such as JPEG or PICT may cause either a loss of quality or errors that make the advertisement unprintable.

When saving images in Photoshop, delete any extra channels and flatten the image. EPS files should be saved with No Halftone screen and do not include transfer function. Also ensure that Postscript Colour Management is turned off, as this will convert the image to LAB with a colour profile. The result at print time may not meet your expectations.

The optimum resolution of images is twice the screen ruling (lpi) of the target publication. For example, 133 screen ruling would require a resolution of 266 dpi or 300 dpi for 150 lpi. In general, 300 dpi is appropriate for a 3DAPv2 PDF.

Colour: All colours in the document and linked files should be set to process except where spot colours are required.

Trapping: All required trapping is to be included in the Postscript file and any placed files within the document. When importing an EPS file, ensure that the trapping is correct on the original EPS file, that is, colours and whites set to "Knockout" and black to "Overprint" etc.

Disproportionate Scaling: A bug has been detected in Acrobat 4.05 (and later) in the PDFEdit libraries, which is used by Preflight tools such as Enfocus Pitstop. When EPS files are imported into a document and disproportionately scaled, that is, different % for height and width, these EPS files may move into a different position if the PDF files is opened and resaved. Some publishers are preflighting digital ads on arrival which means that this error can easily occur. The workaround is to go back to the source application to scale the imported EPS file to the appropriate size and once it is reimported into the document at 100%, the file will process correctly.

Recommended Production Tips

• Remove any unwanted elements on the pasteboard or obscured by other items.
• Ensure picture boxes are coloured white except for deep etched images.
• When placing images in the document, round off enlargement/ reduction percentages.
• For optimum results, do not enlarge images more than 30%.
• Images should not be rotated within the picture box although picture boxes may be rotated. Rotations should also be rounded off.
• Check EPS files linked to the document and delete any elements not destined to print.
• To avoid black overprints when not required, make a custom black and add 1% in cyan, magenta and yellow channels.
• Coloured text should always be set to "Knockout" unless overprinting is required. In particular, coloured text with a black drop shadow should be set to "Knockout" otherwise, the black drop shadow may overprint the coloured text.
• Ensure that white is set to "Knockout" - when set to "Default" or "Overprint" it will disappear.