Digital media

Since we accept mainly postscript files for exposure or digital prints we feel obliged to help you prepare them correctly.

• How to prepare your work for exposure
• How to prepare your work to be printed on a digital proof
• Notes on preparing files for exposure and digital proof
• How to prepare files for imposition

1. How to prepare files for exposure?

1.1
Install a printer on your operating system. The printer should be compatible with the postscript equipment. You might use a driver which can be downloaded from our site.
If you have an installation version of the operating system you will find there Linotronic drivers. The 830 model will suffice to prepare works in any format up to B2 inclusive. During the installation remember to switch the printer port to FILE.

1.2
After you have finished your project print it using the postscript printer (the one you have just installed). If you have designed a colourful work remember to choose a colourful separation option and enlarge the postscript page by about 25 mm (for the passers). The driver will ask you to enter file name. Remember the name or write it down as you will need it with the order.

1.3
Instead of a printout you will obtain a postscript file with the name you have given to it. In order to view and check the work you might change the postscript file to PDF. Therefore you should use a commercial Adobe Distiller program or a free version of Ghostscript with GSView. The latter might be downloaded from our site by clicking here: Ghostscript + GSView.

1.4
The received PDF file might be viewed in a free version Adobe Acrobat Reader or the already mentioned GSView. The programs might be downloaded from our site by clicking here: AcrobatReader5 (MS-Windows 13 MB version) and Ghostscript + GSView (MS-Windows 7.2 MB version).

1.5
After checking that everything is correct make an order and then send or otherwise deliver it to us with the postscript file. The order form is available here: Order. You may pack a postscript file with ZIP, RAR, ARJ, StuffIt, etc. A smaller file will reach us much faster. If you have generated a PDF file please add it to your postscript files. It will then be easier for us to verify the correctness of your order. What is more, our equipment may interpret PDFs as well. Advanced users may also send to us PDFs instead of postscript files. However, please remember to check bitmap resolution, raster angle and trapping, etc. Adobe Distiller configuration is crucial here.

2. How to prepare your work to be printed on a digital proof

2.1
Install a printer on your operating system. The printer should be compatible with the postscript equipment. You might use a driver which can be downloaded from our site.
During the installation remember to switch the printer port to FILE.

2.2
After you have finished your project print it using the postscript printer (the one you have just installed). Even if you have designed a colourful work do not choose a colourful separation option, nor enlarge the page.

2.3
Instead of a printout you will obtain a postscript file with the name you have given to it. In order to view and check the work you might change the postscript file to PDF. Therefore you should use a commercial Adobe Distiller program or a free version of Ghostscripta with GSView. The latter might be downloaded from our site by clicking here: Ghostscript + GSView.

2.4
The received PDF file might be viewed in a free version of Adobe Acrobat Reader or the already mentioned GSView. The programs might be downloaded from our site by clicking here: AcrobatReader5 (wersja dla MS-Windows 13Mb) oraz Ghostscript + GSView (MS-Windows 7.2 MB version).

2.5
After checking that everything is correct place an order or send or otherwise deliver it to us with the postscript file. The order form is available here Zlecenie.
You may pack a postscript file with ZIP, RAR, ARJ, StuffIt, etc. A smaller file will reach us much faster.
If you have generated a PDF file please add it to your postscript files. It will then be easier for us to verify the correctness of your order. What is more, our equipment may interpret PDFs as well.

2.6
If you have a Photoshop EPS image you might also send it to us regardless of the above instructions. Sherpa can also interpret Photoshop EPS files. However, please remember not to add the preview or save any additional paths in it.

3. Notes on preparing files for exposure and digital proof

3.1
You might use some other postscript driver with the exposure as long as it operates the chosen work format and enables to download fonts correctly. Particular formats are operated with a PPD driver, especially if it operates formats up to B2+ (e.g. Linotronic 830, 930).

3.2
In driver settings you might find many options, such as resolution, ruling, reversing or negative. Do not change them but leave the default option. However, it is important to have a correct format. Other parameters are set by our operator on the basis of the instructions in the order. The RIPs of our imagesetter ignore the internal file settings. An exception being the chosen settings in our drivers. These setting will not be included in the RIP. Therefore please remember what options you choose.

3.3
If you are interested in some other raster rulings than the ones in our order you should set them in your work and indicate the ruling from your work in the order. The same applies to raster angles and a raster point shape.

3.4
Mat film is used to prepare flexographic matrices. If you are interested please contact us.

3.5
You should always check a postscript file before sending. In order to do that please use Adobe Acrobat Distiller program or Ghostscript with GSView. They enable to find defects, as for instance not ready font, incorrect separations, missing trapping, etc. A postscript file might be viewed directly on the screen with GSView. However, it the file is large it might take some time.

4. How to prepare files for imposition

4.1
Files for imposition are prepared like the ones for exposure (see point 1). However, page size is specified differently here and passers are not added.

4.2
Page size is given exactly as the work format after it is cut. However, if the work contains slopes then page size should be enlarged by 3 mm from each side.

4.3
For a notebook cover please specify the spine.

4.4
For a book cover you might either set the columns with appropriate margins including the cover or center the columns and specify the margins

4.5
If the work does not require trapping please do not separate it.

Should you need any help please ask us for advice.
Please call (58) 320 94 94 w.162 or e-mail us at viapress@viapress.pl