Top 6 Practices Around File Uploads
Set your project up for success using our file uploading best-practices below. It’s our way to help you minimize unpleasant surprises and avoid surcharges.
Package All of Your Files
Using your page-layout application, choose the Package or Collect for Output function to copy all the graphics and fonts required for your project.
Provide Desktop Page Proofs
Before submitting your files, print them to a PostScript laser printer. Submit these desktop page proofs along with your files. This will allow us to check your file content against your proofs. If you’ve scaled your proofs, the content of your files should match your proofs exactly.
Use Acceptable File Formats
For page layout file formats, please use .INND (Adobe InDesign). For image file formats, use .JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) or .TIFF (Tagged Image File Format). For graphic file formats, use .EPS (Encapsulated PostScript).
Keep Spot Color-Naming Consistent
If you’re using spot colors in your files and the same spot color appears several times within the same document, be consistent in specifying each object’s color. If you’d like us to convert certain spot colors to process colors, simply indicate where you’d like this done.
Remove All Unnecessary Elements
Delete all non-used files, patterns, layers, or other irrelevant components from your files. This includes those elements that might be visible or hidden behind other objects within layers.
Use Unique Filenames
When naming your files, utilize unique names relevant to your project (such as “Tropical Vacation Booklet” or “Southwest Dining Brochure”). These will make your files easily identifiable, versus general names like “Document” that could be confused with someone else’s files.
Color & PDF Export Settings
Follow the step-by-step instructions below to download and install our Jostens Printing Color Settings File (.csf) and Jostens Printing PDF Export Settings (.joboptions).
Step 1
Download the following two files, “Jostens Printing.csf” and “Jostens Printing PDF.joboptions.” Save them to a location that is easy to find, such as your desktop.
Step 2
Open Adobe Photoshop.
Step 3
Go to Edit > Color Settings.
Step 4
Select Load.
Step 5
Browse to the “Jostens Printing.csf” file you had downloaded and select the file.
Step 6
Select Open then OK. Leave Photoshop running.
Step 7
Open Adobe Bridge.
Step 8
Go to Edit > Color Settings.
Step 9
Highlight the “Jostens Printing” item OR highlight the “Jostens Printing.csf” file.
Step 10
Select Apply and leave Bridge running.
Step 11
Open Adobe InDesign.
Step 12
Go to File > Adobe PDF Presets > Define.
Step 13
Select Load.
Step 14
Browse to the “Jostens Printing PDF.joboptions” file you had downloaded and select the file.
Step 15
Select Done.
Step 16
Close all Adobe Creative Suite applications.
NOTE: The next time you open any Adobe Creative Suite application, those color settings will be active, and any new documents you create will inherit them. When it is time to export your PDF to submit for printing, please make sure your InDesign document has bleeds defined (at least .125”) and uses the Jostens Printing PDF Export Setting.