Disk Preparation Guidelines for: Macromedia Freehand
Alabama Web Press currently accepts documents created in Macromedia (Aldus) Freehand versions 4.0 and above for Macintosh and PC. 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 Macromedia Freehand documents.
Document Setup
Freehand documents meant to be exported to additional software should be saved as .EPS files. Documents not to be exported may remain in the original Freehand Document format. If you are exporting your files to .EPS, please supply the .EPS as well as the original Freehand file. Failure to supply the original file will prevent Alabama Web Press from correcting any typographical or design errors which may be present in your .EPS. When creating a graphic element to be exported to other layout and design software, e.g. a logo, please set your document dimensions under Window: Inspector... (Page Icon) 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 Freehand. 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 Window: Inspector... (Page Icon) 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 fills, strokes and gradients created in Freehand or imported into Freehand from other applications must be converted to CMYK process. For each color listed under Window: Color List... select Options: Make Process. 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 Macintosh and PC TrueType and Adobe Postscript Type 1 fonts. Please supply all typefaces and styles (e.g. Times-Bold, Times-ltalic, Times-Bold-ltalic) listed under File: Report...: Document info as well as all typefaces and styles used in any linked graphics. When supplying a Macintosh PostScript font, be sure to include the font suitcase and the PostScript font portions of the typeface. When supplying a Macintosh TrueType font, only the font suitcase is necessary. Macintosh TrueType fonts can be identified by opening the font suitcase and locating files with a triple-"A" icon. Only use those typefaces and styles installed on your system. Avoid mixing TrueType and PostScript fonts in the same document. In Freehand, you may choose to convert all text elements to outlines by using Type: Convert To Paths. 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.
Linked Graphics
Please supply all graphics files listed under File: Report.. Document info as well as any graphics which may have been placed or "nested" within them. Unless you are paying for a spot ink, all color elements placed into Freehand should be in the CMYK color model. Please supply all linked graphics in .TIF or .EPS format. Alabama Web Press only accepts .EPS graphics created in Adobe Photoshop 2.0 and above, Adobe Illustrator 1.1 and above, Corel Draw 3.0 and above (Windows only), or Macromedia (Aldus) Freehand 4.0 and above. Avoid the excessive 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 back to Freehand, the final Freehand document may not print. Be aware that most .EPS files cannot be edited for changes.
Bleed
The following instructions for Bleed apply only to a Freehand design not to be exported to additional software. 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. If your Freehand design is to be exported to additional software, the element should be designed large enough to have bleed when placed and cropped within the importing application.
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