FILE FORMAT GUIDE

Scroll to the bottom for the file submission form.

If you need a quote, please fill out a Custom Quote Request form, HERE.

(You'll be able to attach files on that form, also.)

To help us process your files as quickly as possible, please make sure that you are adhering to the file requirements outlined below. Files submitted in other formats may require extra processing time and could incur additional processing fees; please talk to your sales representative. 

Submitting files

You can submit your files to your customer service representative or to dtp@keystonepress.com as an email attachment if the attachment is under 25 Mb in size. Or, Upload your file to our FTP site at keystonepress.com. There is no file size limitation. Whether you send the files via email or ftp, be aware that the files are sometimes corrupted by internet servers. Increase the chance of your files success by stuffing (Stuffit Mac) or “zipping” (Winzip - PC or Mac) before sending.   

Zip multiple files prior to uploading them.

Zip tools are readily available and free to download. Many devices already have this function available. Create a folder for all the files pertaining to your print job. On most PCs, you will find the option to create an archive file, or a compressed zip file, in the right-click menu with your cursor on the targeted folder. Please refer to your device's configuration for specific instructions to create the .zip archive file.

Keystone Press can accept your files on the following media:

• CD
• DVD
• Flash Drives

We accept files from these software programs: 

• Adobe Acrobat Press-Ready PDF (Preferred)

• InDesign CC or below with all fonts and graphics. (file menu/Package)

• QuarkXPress 8 or higher with all fonts and graphics. (file menu/Collect for Output)

• Illustrator CS6 - CC

• Photoshop CS6 - CC

• Microsoft Word and Microsoft Publisher files should be converted to PDF.

Basics for creating your document:

• The document page size should match the size of the finished piece. 

• Elements that print to the trim edge of the document (Bleed), should extend 1/8” beyond the trim. It is recommended that any critical elements on the page be at least 1/8” inside the final trim. 

• The document color mode for all your files should be Grayscale, Duotone, or CMYK.. 

• Jobs that will print on press with spot color inks should only have the number of spot colors in the file that you intend us to print on the press. 

Color

Your job will be printed on devices that use CMYK inks or toner, and/or Pantone spot color inks.

Any RGB or LAB colors in your file will be converted to CMYK. Both RGB and LAB color modes support more colors than can be recreated with the CMYK color process. Therefore, when It is recommended that you convert any RGB or LAB elements in your document to cmyk before you submit them to us. That way you will see any color shift that may occur in that conversion. Any job printing Black only should only contain Black ink, do not use Rich Black or Registration black.

Graphics: Vector vs Bitmap

A Bitmap file is made up of pixels. All photographs and any scanned images are stored digitally as Bitmap files.

A Vector file is made up of points, paths and fills. It has no resolution until it is output and it takes on the resolution of the output device. So until it is output to a printing device, it can be enlarged to any size without loss of quality. Type (keystrokes), lines, boxes and fills are examples of vector elements.

Resolution

The term “resolution” is used to describe the number of pixels per inch in a Bitmap file. 

For optimum quality, Bitmap graphics should be at least 300 ppi (pixels per inch) for photos at final size and 800 ppi for linework at final size. For any Bitmap image placed in your layout, the effective resolution will change if you enlarge or reduce that element in the layout.

Images captured from the web are usually at a low screen resolution of 72 pixels and produce very poor quality. 

Avoid jpeg compression when saving graphics. Depending upon the setting you use, jpeg compression can degrade the quality of your file significantly. 

Creating a Press-Ready PDF file with Bleed.

The are several steps to follow to create a pdf with bleed.

First, the elements in the native document (InDesign, Quark, etc.) must extend beyond the page trim size (Bleed) - preferably by .125”. Now, either “Export to PDF” or “Save as PDF” depending on the program you are using. If you have pre-set options, choose “Press Quailty”. Next, look for the “bleed” option. Set the amount to .125”. If your document uses Spot colors that you want us to print as separate Pantone colors, select the “Color” tab and choose “Composite/Leave Color unchanged (as is). Lastly, Save (Export). The resulting pdf page size should be .125 larger on all four sides than the native document.

COMPLETE THE FORM BELOW TO SUBMIT YOUR FILES. PLEASE INCLUDE ANY INFORMATION IDENTIFYING A CURRENT, IN-PROCESS JOB THAT THESE MAY PERTAIN TO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUBMISSION!