We've received some great questions from our customers and felt the answers would be of benefit to you.  This is the nuts and bolts of how our printing company works.  Check this page often, as we will update it frequently.

Fonts & Graphics:
-What is the difference between Postscript Type 1 fonts and True Type fonts?
-What are Multiple Master fonts?
-Why do I need to send in copies of the fonts I used?    Don’t you have them?
-Should I embed my graphics or link them?
-What is the best way to scan my halftones?
-What line screen should I use?
-What is “dot gain” and what should I do differently?
-What is the best way to scan my color art?
-When should I use an EPS as opposed to a TIFF?
-Can you accept JPEG?
-Can you accept GIF?
-What is the difference between CMYK and RGB

Page and Cover Layout:
-What is a “native program?”
-Which native programs do you support?
-Do you work with Macintosh or PC platform?
-Can I set my book up in Microsoft Word?
-Does the page size on my disk have to be the exact trim size of my final book?
-Do I need to provide readers, spreads, or imposed signatures on my disk?
-Why do I need to send in a hard copy with my disk?
-What are bleeds?
-How much room should I allow for bleeds?
-Can you scan my art from a printed book?
-What is trapping?
-What is reflow?
-What are signatures?

Drivers and File Formats:
-What is PDF?
-What is Postscript?
-Which removable media do you support?

Four Color Process, and PMS Colors:
-Pantone colors – the differences between coated and uncoated reproduction
-What are metallic PMS inks?
-Where can I get a PMS color guide?  How much are they?
-How can I make PMS colors in Photoshop? 

FTP
-Do you have an FTP site?
-Where can I find more information on the best FTP software to use?
-Who can I contact at Central Plains for help with FTP?

Miscellaneous:
Can you do a test of my files?

FONTS & GRAPHICS
What is the difference between Postscript Type 1 fonts and True Type fonts?
Type 1 fonts are the most reliable font to use in printing.     They have a screen and printer version (.pfb and .pfm extensions for PC) -- both must be included when you submit your fonts to us.  Developed by Adobe, Type 1 fonts are easier for imagesetters to read.  True Type fonts, developed by Apple and Microsoft, are contained within one file -- a .ttf extension (i.e., webdings.ttf).   Some True Type fonts do not provide complete character sets and can be unreliable with imagesetters.   While they generally work well with laser printers, they are not the preferred font type used in printing.  

What are multiple master fonts?
They are Type 1 fonts that contain two or more master fonts within a single font file, producing a large number of variations.  Multiple master technology was introduced in 1991 but, acceptance of the format was scarce by the various type foundries.  For smooth flow within our system we recommend not using a multiple master font.  

Why do I need to send in copies of the fonts I used?   Why Don’t you have them?
We require the exact font files you used to create the document to maintain the integrity of the file. Within font families there are many different variations and these differences could cause significant reflow without opening the file with the original font.  Remember when using Type 1 fonts you need to include both the screen and printer version.   

Should I embed my graphics or link them?
Link them.  It will make the files smaller if you save the images through a links manager in your page layout software.  

What is the best way to scan my halftones?
There are many techniques but, keep in mind that you must scan roughly double the line screen you plan to print.  So if you're printing 133 line screen you should scan at 266 or 300.  Use the highlight and shadow options in your scanning software to create a highlight no less than 5% and a shadow no darker than 90%.     

What line screen should I use?
133 line screen for black and white halftones.  175 line screen for color images.  

What is the best way to scan my color art?
Make sure your scans are high resolution (scanned at 300 dpi) to provide a crisper image.  The process is the same for halftone scanning in that you double the resolution of the scan based on the line screen of the press. 

When should I use an EPS as opposed to a TIFF?
These are the two file types used in printing for graphics and universally used for their reliability.  EPS stands for Encapsulated Postscript and is used for line art and photos.  TIFF stands for Tagged Image File Format and is primarily used for photos.

Can you accept JPEG?
Yes, but you must be aware that a JPEG will not provide the kind of resolution needed in printing that you'll get from an EPS or TIF file.  JPEG is used primarily for online images.  

Can you accept GIF?
It is not recommended to use GIF images as art for printing simply because the small file size yields a much lower resolution and may not be acceptable to you.  You may be familiar with GIF from internet animation.  The reason they work so well in animation is due to the small file size.  

The difference between CMYK and RGB
CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black, the four colors used to create a four color process image.  It's the standard in printing technology to create the "illusion" of a full color picture.  RGB stands for Red, Green and Blue, the standard for online and television color reproduction.  It is recommended that any RGB images be converted to CMYK, a process which is fairly easy in Photoshop.  

PAGE & COVER LAYOUT
What is a “native program?”
Refers to the original program used to create the document.     In the printing industry the most widely accepted programs are Adobe InDesign, QuarkXPress, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator.   

Which native programs do you support?
For Macintosh:  Adobe InDesign CS3, QuarkXPress 7.x, Adobe Photoshop CS3, Adobe Illustrator CS3, and Acrobat 8.     

For PC: Adobe InDesign CS3, QuarkXPress 6.x, Adobe Photoshop CS3, Adobe Illustrator CS3, and Adobe Acrobat 8.  

Do you work with Macintosh or PC platform?
Whether it be text or cover files we can work either platform.   

Can I set my book up in Microsoft Word or WordPerfect?
Microsoft Word and WordPerfect are word processing programs and are best suited for inputting text, not professional page layout. The best option when working with word processors would be to save the files as postscript or pdf. If you don't own Adobe Acrobat Professional, you can go to http://createpdf.adobe.com where you can create your first five PDF's online for free.

Does the page size on my disk have to be the exact trim size of my final book?
Yes, that is very important.  In order for your files to work with our imposition software, they must be set up on the disk as the same size as the final output.  For instance, setting up 6x9 pages centered on an 8-1/2 x 11 page (on your disk) will trick our imposition software into thinking your final trim size is 8-1/2 x 11.  So it's very important. The exception to this rule is if your book bleeds off of the edge of the page. In this case you would add 1/4" to all 4 sides of the document.  

Do I need to provide readers, spreads, or imposed signatures on my disk?
No, in fact, we would prefer that you do not.  Set the pages up as single or independent pages with no "booklet" or pagination options.  We will run your files through our imposition software to put it in the size of signatures we need.  

Why do I need to send in a hard copy with my disk?
Our prepress department will need a representation of what you have on your computer to follow when going through the disk on our computer.  Sometimes when files go from computer-to-computer they experience subtle changes in spacing that could wreak havoc on your project.  Also, before you send the hard copy take a look through it to make sure it is right because we will use that hard copy to determine whether or not there are problems with reflow on your disk.  

What are bleeds?
When an image extends beyond the final trim of the page we say it has "bled" off the page.  In actuality, the page is trimmed at the bleed edge to provide this effect.  

How much room should I allow for bleeds?
We require 1/4" for bleeds.  

Can you scan my art from a printed book?
Yes we can.  We will need 2 copies of the book to have access to left and right margins after we trim off the spines.  Creating digital cover art from a printed book can be done but, please bear in mind that the reproduction will only be as good as the original.  There may also be additional retouch time needed to remove fold lines on the spine -- depending on the art this time will vary.  Please note that the two books will be disassembled for this process.  

What is trapping?
You may have heard it in terms of "chokes and spreads" where white space in between colors is eliminated by an overlapping of colors.     Trapping can be tricky and overdone trapping can produce an undesirable effect on the final printed piece.  We do trapping for you when your job is ripped in our system.

What is reflow?
Reflow affects character spacing within the fonts to add more space than intended.  When it happens it usually changes the layout and spacing throughout the book.  This is the main reason we require a hard copy of your inside text pages when working from a disk.  Text can reflow for many reasons, the largest being that an element from the original file is missing from the one we are trying to open on our computer -- even if there is the slightest variance.  Reflow can ruin a project if it is not caught and corrected.   Sometimes the files and fonts need to be present to correct the problem. 

What are signatures?
In offset printing, the pages of a book are arranged in multiples of 32 or 16 pages per press sheet depending on the trim size.  When the larger sheet is folded, the pages back up in numerical order.  Each multiple of 32 or 16 is referred to as a signature.  Any given book will have many signatures.  For example, a 64 page book has two 32 page signatures. 

DRIVERS & FILE FORMATS
What is PDF?
Portable Document Format, developed by Adobe, is a self contained file providing all the text, font and graphic information needed to produce a printed piece.  PDF can be created using Adobe Acrobat Distiller software, which creates the postscript file necessary for conversion to PDF.  Many new page layout programs incorporate the ability to export to PDF without purchasing additional software.     PDF's reliability has made it a favorite in online document distribution as well.   
 
What is Postscript?
Developed by Adobe Systems, it is a programming language that is independent of any layout software.  To understand the main advantages of postscript, you must be aware of the differences between vector graphics and bitmapped graphics.     Postscript is an object oriented language -- it responds to text and graphics as collections of geometrical objects, not a bit map.  For instance, printing a postscript graphic on a 600 dpi laser printer will look much better than on a 300 dpi laser printer.  The bitmapped graphic will look the same with either resolution.    Postscript is a standard among printing companies and design firms because it is a solid platform with a network of information and support.

Which removable media do you support?
We accept DVD/CD-ROM andflash drives.  

FOUR COLOR PROCESS & PMS COLORS
Pantone colors – the differences between coated and uncoated reproduction
The differences are shown in the Pantone color matching swatch book. The colors designed for uncoated paper have a "U" after the number.    The colors designed for coated paper have a "C" after the number.    Uncoated stock reacts differently to ink than a coated (gloss or matte) stock will.   Likewise, PMS 123C looks dramatically different than PMS 123U.   When using a PMS ink it is understood that you are trying to achieve a more exact color match than a four color process match can provide.  So being aware of the differences between coated and uncoated will help alleviate any problems.  

What are metallic PMS inks?
At a higher cost, using a metallic PMS can give you a better silver or gold effect on your printed piece.  There are many metallic colors available.     

Where can I get a PMS color guide?    How much are they?
They can be purchased at Pantone's Online Store at www.pantone.com/commerce/store.htm , a local art supply store or any of the following online vendors: MicroWarehouse , MacWarehouse , MacConnection , PC Connection , CDW , Publishing Perfection , EyeWire Studios , Publishers Toolbox , Color Mall. They cost about $130.00.  

How can I make PMS colors in Photoshop?
It can be tricky especially since it's a program designed for four color process images.  Try substituting one of the process colors for the PMS color you want to use.  For instance, if you want black plus PMS 123, set the file up as black plus process yellow (at 100%).  If there are any screens of the PMS color, use the percentage of the substituted process color.  The reason this works is you will tell the printer the exact PMS color you want so that it will print correctly on the press.  Also tell us when you you've substituted a process color for a specific PMS ink so you and our prepress will be on the same page.  

FTP
Do you have an FTP site?
ftp://66.136.252.169
Call us toll free free for a username and password (877-278-2726).

Where can I find more information on the best FTP software to use?
CuteFTP, Fetch, WS-FTP, FTP Explorer, NetLoad, Absolute FTP     

Who can I contact at Central Plains for help with FTP?
Please call 877-278-2726. 

MISCELLANEOUS
Can you do a test of my files?
Yes, in fact, if you have any doubts about how compatible your files are with your system we would encourage letting us do a test.  There is no cost and it's designed to be a preventative measure if there are any problems.  The test can be arranged through your sales representative and are performed in the order they're received.