Disk Preparation Guidelines for: CorelDraw
Alabama Web Press currently accepts documents created in Corel Draw versions 3.0 and above for Windows only. The following paragraphs present preparation guidelines which will prevent the most common causes of printing error. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in corrective charges and delays. Please call Alabama Web Press at (256)734-5104 if you require further information on preparing your Corel Draw documents.
Document Setup
Corel Draw documents not to be exported may remain in the original .CDR format. Corel Draw documents meant to be exported to additional software should be exported as .EPS files (File: Export: .EPS (Placeable); Text As Curves; Include Header; Header Type 8 Bit Color; Resolution 72 dpi; Fountain Steps 256). If you are exporting your files to .EPS, please supply the .EPS as well as the original .CDR file. Failure to supply the original file will prevent Alabama Web Press from correcting any errors which may be present in your .EPS resulting in delays. When creating a graphic element to be exported to other layout and design software, e.g. a logo, please set your document dimensions under Layout: Page Setup: Size just large enough to contain the graphic within the page boundary. When creating a single sheet design, e.g. a postcard or sell sheet, not to be exported to additional software, please set your document dimensions to the size of the final piece prior to folding. For example, a letter size document, even if it is being folded, should be set up as 8.5" x 11" within Corel Draw. Similarly, a 6" x 4" postcard should be set up on a 6" x 4" page. When creating a multisheet document such as a catalog or booklet, please set Layout: Page Setup: Size to the size of a single page. For example, a letter-size booklet has pages sized 8.5" X 11". Since Alabama Web Press uses high-end imposition software to create printer spreads from sequential pages, it usually is not necessary to set up spreads manually, i.e. do not create eight 11 " X 17" pages to represent the two- page spreads of a letter size 16 page catalog. Designs which contain pockets and flaps sometimes dictate the manual setup of spreads. Please call Alabama Web Press to further discuss the setup of your document if your design calls for pockets or flaps.
Color Builds
Unless you are paying for a Pantone or other spot color ink, all color and pattern fills, strokes and gradients created in Corel Draw or imported into Corel Draw from other applications must be converted to the CMYK Color Model under the appropriate (Fill, Stroke, etc.) Rollup. If you are paying for a spot ink, be aware that blends and gradients between spot and process colors are not printable.
Fonts
Alabama Web Press accepts TrueType and Adobe PostScript Type 1 fonts. Please supply all typefaces and styles (e.g. Times New RomanBold, Times New Romanltalic, Times New Roman-Bold-ltalic) used in your Corel Draw document as well as all typefaces and styles used in any imported graphics. When supplying a PostScript font, please include the .PFB and .PFM portions of the typeface. When a supplying a TrueType font, only the .TTF file is necessary. Most Windows fonts are located in the WINDOWS\SYSTEM or PSFONTS directory. Installed Windows fonts are listed in the WIN.INI file located in the WINDOWS directory. Only use those typefaces and styles installed on your system. Avoid mixing TrueType and PostScript fonts in the same document. In Draw, you may choose to convert all selected text objects to outlines by using arrange: Convert To Curves. This process will prevent many common font-related printing problems such as text reflow and font downloading errors. Be aware that converting to outlines will prevent Alabama Web Press from correcting any typographical errors that may be present in your supplied document.
Graphics
Unless you are paying for a spot ink, all color elements imported into Corel Draw should be in the CMYK color model. Be aware that Draw automatically embeds all imported graphics into the .CDR file, thus making these imported graphics uneditable for possible color, resolution and textual changes. Because of this inability to edit embedded graphics, Alabama Web Press asks that you supply separately in an editable format all graphics files used in your Draw document. Alabama Web Press accepts graphics in the following formats: .TIF, Adobe Photoshop .EPS, Adobe Illustrator.AI and .EPS, Corel Draw 3.0 and above (Windows only) .CDR, Macromedia (Aldus) Freehand 4.0 and above. Avoid the excessive embedding or "nesting'' of .EPS graphics within other .EPS graphics. While it is possible to export a Freehand graphic to Illustrator and then export the Illustrator document to Draw, the final Draw document may not print.
Bleed
All elements meant to bleed must extend 1/8" (.125") beyond the page boundary. All elements not meant to bleed must remain at least 3/16" (.1875") from the edges to avoid being trimmed.
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