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If you still have questions about your banner after
reading this page, feel free to e-mail us at jobs@stc4color.com. We are always
happy to help you with any questions you have.
We accept MAC & PC Zip Disks
and CD ROMS. We have a Upload Page on our site and we also support FTP file
transfers.
For PHOTOGRAPHERS who wish to send in a photo as
opposed to a digital file, please see our prices for scans at
http://www.stc4color.com/scans.htm.
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
On both Mac and PC platforms we
support Quark Xpress, Pagemaker, Illustrator, Photoshop, Power Point, Word, and
Acrobat. We support Freehand V. 9 on the Macintosh only. If your application is
not listed, please ask us if we can accept it. No matter what application
you're running on either the Mac or PC we can always find a way to get the job
done.
Before going into detail with all the different applications,
there is the question central to every client's needs and that is the
resolution you'll need. To get to that answer you'll need a little background
on the nature of computer graphics.
There are two types of computer graphics.
They are Vector Images and Raster Images.
Vector Based Programs
such as Illustrator, Freehand and others in essence use mathematic formulas,
algorhythms, to compute angles, lines, etc. using anchor points. What this
means for you is that vector based artwork can be scaled infinitely without any
loss in detail. Remember that all those curves, lines and text have a
mathematical formula built into them so no matter how you stretch or resize it,
the output will always be smooth. Vector based artwork is resolution
independent. Many clip art images are vector based.
Raster
Based Programs such as Photoshop are resolution dependent and need a
certain amount of resolultion, measured in pixels per inch, in order to produce
quality output. Paint Shop Pro, Photopaint and Photodeluxe are raster based
programs.
When dealing with photos or artwork in raster based programs
such as Photoshop, the correct resolution is determined when the file is first
created. You can not successfully increase the resolution to an image without
losing detail. When you increase the resolution to a raster based image all
you're really doing is taking the original pixels and increasing the size of
each individual pixel. While increasing the resolution of a raster based image
produces a larger image, it also loses detail at the new, larger size. As an
example: take a 2" x 2" image at a resolution of 100 pixel per inch image that
you've already created; increase that same image 200% in size. What this gives
you is a 4" x 4" image at 50 pixels per inch. You've lost half your resolution
and resolution translates to sharpness of image.
A way to check how much
resolution your file really has, is to look into your imaging program while
that file is open. In Photoshop, under IMAGE (image size), it will display the
size of your image, if you check 'constrain proportions' and make sure
'resample' is off, you will see the resolution change as you change the width
and height of your image. Other imaging programs have similar commands. When
you finally have the correct file size and resolution,look at your image in
your imaging application at 100% (not so the whole image fits in the window,
but the magnification is at 100% - so only a portion of the image is visible).
If you image looks clear at 100%, then the output should print clear.
Image
resolution is very important and becomes crucial when you plan to print large
images. You need a minimum of 150dpi of input resolution at 100% size (physical
dimensions). A 24" x 36" print at 150dpi is about a 55-60meg file. If you are
printing raster images that are line art or black text done in photoshop, then
the 300dpi should be used for crisp output.
Always remember that if you
increase the physical dimensions of your raster image after it has been
created, that increase in physical dimensions will decrease your resolution.
You might think your file is good because it was scanned at 300 dpi. with the
final size at 2" x 3. That 2" x 3" image is only 1.5 megs. That same 2" x 3"
300dpi 1.5 meg file is equivalent to an 8" x 12" image at 75dpi which contains
the same 1.5 megs of information.
Raster file formats are TIF,
BMP, TGA, PCX, JPG, PSD, and Photoshop EPS, which should not be confused with
Illustrator EPS. All these formats are very similar and can be left in RGB
color mode. However, if you are using Photoshop, it's a good idea to convert to
CMYK color mode to see a more accurate preview of the color shift. All color
printers print in CMYK. RGB is only for monitors. Anything printed on paper
uses CMYK, never RGB.
JPG file format compresses the image and
can result in major detail loss. Make sure if you are using jpg format, that
you understand that a high compression/low quality mode will result in lost
image detail.
PSD (photoshop file) should be flattened and saved as a TIF.
TIPS TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF YOUR FILE:
Make sure you
provide all fonts and linked art files needed to print your document. Customers
often send in jobs with missing files or fonts. This only holds up your job
which could be crucial if there is a tight deadline. Convert all type to
outlines whenever possible. This is especially helpful in EPS files embedded in
your page layout file, such as Quark Express or Pagemaker.
If your
desired output is greater than the page layout programs's largest page size,
just scale the page down by 25% or 50%. (If you want to print a 48"x72", set up
the page as a 24" x 36", we will scale it up - just make sure the raster files
placed into it are enough resolution for the actual size)
Be sure to
include any fonts that you're using in your Microsoft Publisher, Powerpoint,
Excel or Word document. These programs are not the typical page layout
programs. The colors chosen in these programs are not normally accurate. Be
aware color shifts will occur. We will do everything we can to match what your
file calls for, but the MS Office programs rely heavily on RGB.
We welcome
Acrobat Acrobat PDF file format. If you are using Adobe Acrobat Distiller, make
sure you do not have Downsampling turned on, and make sure no bitmap
compression is used to assure the best quality images. Include ALL fonts. Do
not allow font substitution. With all these parameters checked, output should
print as intended. High Quality JPEG or Zip 8 bit compression may be used to
decrease file size.
Note: Make sure the dimensions of your file are
either the exact size of your output, or in the same proportion to the final
output. Please understand that an 8.5" x 11" blown up does not equal 24" x 36"
exactly, it scales up to 24" x 32".
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Don't Make An Expensive
Mistake!
TESTIMONIALS
“…everyone at Stamford
Type always goes the extra mile to get the job done right, professionally
enhanced and on time. From ad mechanicals to digital ad files to trade show
posters, no one does it better. Many Thanks.”
Bob
Burk
Marketing
Mgr., King Industries
We at Fischer are extremely
happy with the work you have done for us. Your fast turnaround time is
fantastic for Fischer.
Andrew
Canniff, Fischer Skis
Thank you to the crew at STC for
doing such terrific work . The quality of your work has been exceptional. Well
done.
K.
Monahan, Art
Director
New
Canaan/Darien Magazine
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1. Print and fill out the
appropriate 