Electronic File Submission

File Preparation Guidelines
Standard Register welcomes submission of electronic design files for your orders. This page includes guidelines for submitting these files. We accept files in the original format from all commercially available desktop design software in both PC and Mac format. We also accept Adobe Acrobat PDF files. Work with your local account team on the most efficient method to send files to us (you cannot submit files via this site). We can handle e-mail, FTP, and all storage media types.

When submitting files, please complete and include our fillable PDF Customer Supplied File Information to give us specific information about your file.

Preparing Native Design Files (Original Format)
A native file is from commercially available desktop software. Native files are the source file for a PDF, but if you are unable to make PDF files, you can send Standard Register native files. Please utilize the guidelines below when designing:

Images and Photos
Images and photos should either be EPS or TIFF files and they must be included as separate files. Images and photos should be high resolution and 300 DPI or higher. Images used for conventional forms printing or digital printing must have the correct color space (spot color, CMYK if running four color process or grayscale). Please convert all text to outlines in your images.

Fonts
Standard Register utilizes a PDF workflow and we will convert your native file when received. The most dependable font reproduction in a PDF workflow is with Post Script fonts. Please use Post Script fonts and avoid True Type fonts. Most notably, please do not use "Wingdings" for special characters. Suitable, readily available Post Script replacements are "Symbol" , "Zapf Dingbats BT " (Post Script version) and "Commercial Pi". Also, please include fonts separately when sending files to Standard Register.

PDF File Preparation
When preparing PDF files for submission to Standard Register, please create them with Acrobat Distiller (do not use PDF writer or “Save As” as a PDF). Please use Standard Register’s Distiller Settings. Doing so will insure proper embedding of fonts and images, and also the print resolution will be optimized. In addition, if your document will be printed duplex, the PDF file should be an even number of pages with blank sheets inserted in the correct position. Saddle stitched books should be properly imposed (number of single pages should be divisible by four). Always print from the native file (150 lpi. / 2400 dpi.) and make sure pdf's are written to size and include bleed when needed. Manufacturing marks of any kind are not necessary on PDF files (Standard Register will add them).

If you need assistance with PDF file creation, please contact your Standard Register sales person who will get you the help you need.

Installing Standard Register's Distiller Settings

Follow the instructions below to install. These settings apply to offset (press printed) or digital (laser printed) products. If you are part of Standard Register's Design on Demand (DOD) program, there are different settings that are available from your local account team.

Acrobat 4 and 5 Instructions
Copy the "SRC_Production.joboptions" file to the folder:
"C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Distillr\Settings"
(replace '5' with '4' depending on the version of Acrobat)

Copy the "prologue.ps" file to the folder:
"C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Distillr\Data"

Acrobat 6 and 7 Instructions
Copy the "SRC_Production.joboptions" file to the desktop:

Copy the "prologue.ps" file to folder:
"C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Shared Documents\Adobe PDF 6.0\Data"
(remove '6.0' for Acrobat 7) and you will need to start Distiller and choose the Add Adobe PDF Settings . . . option (see below) to add the joboptions.

Acrobat Distiller 6

Acrobat Distiller 7

Mac Instructions
The SRC_Production file goes in the "Adobe Acrobat 5/Distiller/Settings" folder.

The prologue.ps files go in HD:/Adobe Acrobat 5/Distiller/Data

Commercial Print Files

Bleeds: Please insure all elements that bleed extend off the document trim by a minimum of 1/8".

Fonts: All fonts used within the document or graphical elements must accompany the final file. Be sure to include both screen and printer fonts for the Macintosh where applicable.

Quality Review: Prior to submitting the file:

Please confirm all colors are properly defined and organized within the color palette/swatches. Unnecessary colors should be deleted.
Any special varnishes must be indicated within your document file as a special color
Verify pages are numbered and sized correctly
Page orientation and layouts show the back up for two-sided or multiple page projects.
Perforations, folds and/or die cuts should be clearly marked.
Provide an approved proof of the final version. This will be used as the guide to be referenced throughout the production process for content and consistency.
Please indicate what % size the proofs are printed.
Please verify all files DO NOT have security applied.
All Graphic and Image Files: Must be provided as EPS or TIFF files. Other file formats may require conversion at an additional charge. They must also be prepared in the color space desired (typically CMYK, spot color, or grayscale but not RGB) high resolution (at least 300 dpi) with a maximum enlargement of 150%. Non-Vector line art should be prepared at a resolution between 1200-2400 dpi. All line art should be vector when possible. Spot colors should be identified as Pantone Uncoated colors with the exception of Black.

All Supplied Files: Files should represent the finished product containing all pages in the correct order they will be produced and/or the accompanying proof represents the final assembled document(s). PDF's should be distilled using print supplier’s SRC Production Job Options as requested. Files that require changes will have an additional charge.

Missing Files: This is one of the most frequently encountered problems and will cause a delay in the project. Please include any supporting files (fonts and images) in the final document package as well as be linked or embedded in all final layout programs. To prevent delays, when providing complex images produced in PhotoShop that may need to be manipulated for production reasons that the original, layered PhotoShop document (.psd) be provided. When using QuarkXPress, gather all files together for production using Quark’s "Collect for Output" functionality. When using InDesign, “Package” is the file gathering tool. If all graphical supporting elements are linked properly, Quark will compile copies of those original files for transport and production purposes.

Microsoft Office Applications: Cannot be color separated within the application. If the documents are to be printed on a printing press, the print vendor must use special procedures and tools to separate these files that will require an additional charge. We will attempt to match the colors as closely as possible. The preferred Pantone colors should be submitted with the design.