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Guidelines for Images and Color in Printing

Images

  1. Resolution for all images should be at least 300 pixels/inch
  2. Preferrably, all images should be saved to .eps files
  3. Images that are to be at the edge of the page should be extended 1/8" beyond that final size. Learn more about Bleed and trimming guidelines here
  4. Images should be created in/converted to CMYK, not RGB. Click here to find out more about creating and converting images to CMYK

Vector Images (Illustrator, Freehand)

ALWAYS "Create Outlines" (Illustrator) or "Rasterize Type" (Photoshop) to avoid font issues when submitting files for printing. Click here to find out more about creating outlines and rasterizing type.

Pixel-Based (Photoshop)

  1. Avoid over-scaling images (75%-125%) when placing into your layout program.
  2. Sample down a copy of larger images and link them to your file to save disk space and processing time.

Color

  1. Avoid transparency effects when working with spot color
  2. Preferrably, always use the Pantone names for spot colors. Avoid calling them things like, "Company X Yellow" or "Blue-Green")
 

Examples of pixel-based images are those that your digital camera stores, graphics created in Photoshop, and are commonly referred to as raster or bitmap images. These images cannot be significantly enlarged without a loss in quality, unlike vector images.

Vector images are those created in programs like Illustrator or Freehand. They are based on mathematical equations and can be enlarged or reduced without loss in quality like pixel-based images (Photoshop).