Common errors that cost you time and money

You've used your computer to create your own document to save yourself time and money. Don't let a simple mistake ruin your schedule or your budget.

Insty-Prints has collected 20 "Don'ts" that can help keep your project on time and on budget. Avoid these mistakes and you'll create better documents every time.

• Don't do page layout in a word processor. Selecting the right program for the right job will assure that your document will print properly. Use a page layout program such as Adobe Pagemaker or Corel Draw if you plan to construct documents with color and graphics.

• Don't use the default hairline when drawing lines and boxes. Always specify line thickness and avoid using the default hairline. The higher the resolution of the output device, the thinner the line may appear in the final output. What looks good on a 600 dpi printer may be too thin at higher resolution.

• Don't use too many fonts in a document. Too many different fonts in a document can distract from the message and the design. It may also cause problems when printing.

• Don't forget to include ALL True Type Fonts used to create your document.

• Don't use quick keys to apply type styles. When applying styles such as bold, italic, bold italic, outline or shadow to a typeface with the quick key command (Cont-B, Cont-I, etc.), check with the printer to be used so the output device will translate those commands.

• Don't use the wrong file format. A TIFF format is usually used for images and an EPS format is used for graphics. Discuss with the printer the best format to use for your job. Avoid using PICT graphics when printing to an imagesetter.

• Don't place an EPS graphic within another EPS graphic. This is a major cause of Postscript errors and will create printing problems.

• Don't resize a photo within a page layout program. Resize all halftone and color scans in Photoshop or other image-editing programs. Resizing a photo in a page layout program can lead to a long printing time. Export scans or graphics at the size they are to be printed.

• Don't scale, crop or rotate imported TIFF files within your page layout program. Use editing software to prepare the graphic at its proper size and orientation before importing it into the page layout program.

• Don't create complex clipping paths in Photoshop or Illustrator. A complex path is one with too many control points. This may create Postscript problems and slow down the imaging time. It may also cause the imaging of the document to fail.

• Don't use RGB (Red, Blue, Green) colors in a document. RGB values are primarily for establishing the color on a monitor. CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) create process color that is used in printing. RGB color files must be converted to CMYK files because RGB colors may print wrong.

• Don't rely on your monitor's display for color selection. The colors will vary and may be substantially different from the printed page.

• Don't trap if you don't know how. Trapping parameters vary with each press and paper ;combination. If you do trapping yourself, your printer can help by giving you the parameters you must use. The printer cannot be held responsible for errors arising from improper trapping.

• Don't forget to include all the necessary files to produce the job. The printer will request all images and graphic files imported into your document. These files must be saved in a file format that the printer can output. You may also want to provide any application files related to the imported files.

• Don't forget to provide hard-copy originals or proofs. The proofs will be used to assure your document is printed the way you expect it to be.

• Don't forget gripper space on the document. A press or copier needs a small area to "grip" the paper as it is imaged. You will want to avoid placing text or graphics on the gripper area. Check with your printer for the gripper space needed.

• Don't use type smaller than 6 point. It will be difficult to read, especially when reversed.