Helpful Hints, Tips & Tricks

We've outlined a few tips and tricks, plus other helpful information to make working with Presentech as easy as possible. If you have additional questions, we always welcome your call or email.

Getting Started – deciding which software to use

Choosing the right software for the job

There are many software programs available to choose from, and many clients tell us they have no idea which program to choose when designing a file for digital printing. While some programs, such as Quark Xpress or InDesign work well for most projects, others, like Microsoft Word, seldom produce quality results.

When asked how they chose a particular program to design their files, the most common responses are “It’s all I had” and “I just picked it at random.” Choosing the right software can be a crucial choice that affects the quality of your output.'

Choose a program that prints in CMYK

Some programs, such as Word and PowerPoint print in RGB color space. Since we print in CMYK, this can cause a shift in color. Blues will print purple and reds will print orange. If you must use an MS Office program, adjust your colors accordingly.

Choose a program that is designed for high-res printing

Some programs, such as Word, print letter or legal page sizes, but not much else. Printing small cards, for instance, may require a special page size. Likewise, your program should offer the option to create crop marks, which are used for trimming and page alignment. If your software choice is missing these features, your order could be printed incorrectly or incur additional setup charges.

Handy checklist before sending your files:

Are your scans and graphics CMYK?

The greatest improvement in print quality will come from making sure your graphics are saved in the correct format for digital printing. Always avoid RGB scans and .jpg files - these are designed for low-res web use only. Instead, convert your files to CMYK tif for the best quality. 

Are your spot colors chosen from a Pantone palette?

Pantone, or PMS, is a color standard that helps us identify the color you hope to achieve. While exact color matching is not guaranteed, choose PMS colors, rather than CMYK for the greatest accuracy. Avoid using tints of PMS colors, as color percentages can yield unexpected results.

Have you printed a sample of your file?

Don’t rely on your monitor to assess print quality. Your monitor is 72 dpi so even low-res images will look good on screen. Always print out a test on your printer to see if it looks good on paper. It’s a good indication of how it will look on our high-res press.

Will your file enlarge to the size of your poster?

For posters in particular, remember that a 7.5” x 10” file simply won’t enlarge to 24” x 36” - they are different shapes. We can help you determine the enlargement options from your file if you need guidance.

Have you included bleed and crops in your design?

If your image bleeds (or extends all the way to the edge of the page) you must extend your graphics or color 1/8” past the edge of the page for proper cutting. If you forget, we can’t correctly trim your output and your order will be delayed.

Did you include all support and fonts?

If your files were designed in a program that links files, be sure to include all supporting files. Without them, we can’t image your project. When possible, convert type to outlines and we won’t need to have your fonts available.

Have you provided due times, delivery and payment information?

The best way to ensure that we have all relevant information for your order is to use our simple online ordering system and complete the entire order form.