File Setup Instructions for InDesign CS


Step 1 - Trim Edge
1/16" (.0625 of an inch) will be trimmed off each side of your product (example: a Standard Postcard will trim to 4.25" x 6"). Be careful of:
  • Elements too close to or over the trim edge.
  • Thin borders -- may appear uneven when trimmed.
  • Images bordering the trim edge -- Images should "bleed” off the page.
image

*Borders should be .25" thick from the bleed edge (3/16" or .1875" from trim).
Step 2 - Thin Hairlines
Hairlines thinner than .25 points may not show up when printed.
To check a line thickness select the keyline or stroke and go to Window / Stroke (F10).
Be sure to set the line width to .25 points or higher:
image

Step 3 - U.S. Postal Regulations
If you plan on mailing your postcards (or having us mail them for you), your back layout must meet U.S. Postal Regulations.
image
Step 4 - Image Quality and Color
Good image quality and color makes a big difference when your order is printed:

good quality
Good quality/color		    bad quality
Yuck!

To prevent bad looking images your file(s) should meet some basic standards of quality and color:
Step 5 - "Rich” Black Values
In order for color side black borders, headlines, and text to appear dark and saturated ("rich”), you will need to set your CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) values accordingly:

   C = 90%
   M = 80%
   Y = 80%
   K = 100%

Be careful that black values that appear the same onscreen may actually be vastly different when printed:
image
Go to Window / Color (F6). Set the CMYK sliders as shown and apply the new color to the appropriate color side black elements.
image
Step 6 - Update Images
Be sure that all images are properly linked and updated into InDesign" by going to the links palette (Window / Links):
image
Step 7 - Fonts
To see which fonts are being used in your InDesign" file go to Type / Find Font. Be sure that you DO NOT use Multiple Master Fonts ("MM” in filename - example: "OceanSanMM").
image


Proceed to Save / Export Settings
I am emailing because I am ECSTATIC!!!! I would like to thank the graphic designer who worked on my card as well as the staff that turned it out in remarkable time. The card looks great. It exceeds my expectations. The little things the designer did in cropping, placement, etc. all stand out and make the card shine. I received my cards one day earlier than I was supposed to. When does that ever happen??? What a relief. I had a tough deadline and crazy circumstances. Thanks for pushing my order through and giving me such a great product. I am so pleased! Thanks again.
Michelle Jones
Hoosier Magnolia