CDS Frequently Asked Questions
How should I send my electronic art?
Send all electronic art to suppliedart@crane.com
What information do I need to include with my email submissions?
Please provide the store name, account number, and purchase order number. If you have the CDS ticket number, please include this information as well.
If you are a third party designer, please let us know so we can direct all non-artwork issues to the store.
What format should my art be in?
It should be in one of the following preferred formats:
- .tif for line art - Should be scanned at 1200 dpi as a 1-bit solid black and solid white, bitmapped (or raster), monochromatic, line art. (This is not rgb, cmyk or grayscale.)
- .tif for photography - Should be 300 dpi grayscale, scaled if possible to the size needed. Usable for flat print only. Please note that images will reproduce acceptably at 300 dpi, but text will not.
- .eps vector – must be generated as a vector file. Cannot be "saved as". These files must be created as actual vector files with all the text converted to outlines to ensure the best results. Please note that all screen values (mid-tones) contained in the artwork will be kept as supplied.
What is good line art?
Good line art is an image that has been scanned as a solid black and a solid white, bitmapped (or raster), monochrome line art. (This is not rgb, cmyk, or grayscale.)
What is the difference between grayscale and monochrome line art?
Black line art is SOLID black and SOLID white lines. It is a monochrome raster image. Grayscale has a series of shades from white to black. If the image provided contains portions of a line that are lighter gray, such as on some hand drawn art, these areas may be lost in the transition to a monochromatic 1-bit file.
What is a raster image?
Raster images are those that create pixels rather than vectors.
What is a vector graphic file?
Vector graphics are produced using a drawing program, such as Illustrator or CorelDRAW. They are made up of lines and curves defined by mathematical objects called vectors. Vector graphics are resolution independent, which means they can be scaled to any size and printed at any resolution without losing clarity or detail. Vector graphics are also much easier to edit than bitmapped graphics and are preferred. Vector graphics are the choice for illustrations, line art and graphics. Vector graphics are saved as .eps, .ai or .cdr. Additional possible formats include .pdf, .indd, or .psd (as a smart object), but with these formats caution must be used.
What is camera ready art?
Art that is camera ready refers to art or text that is ready to be used without any further work or "clean up". "Cleaned up" art includes art that has to be redrawn, retraced or reworked in any way by an artist on the computer or by hand. Camera ready files may include .eps, .tif, .psd and .ai provided they have been created as specified in this document.
Why isn’t a .jpg (jpeg) good art?
Jpeg files are for display only. When converting or using files for printing the jpeg is not usable. They will not provide a sharp printing output nor can they be sized without the loss of image quality that occurs with this format’s compression scheme.
Can I save my jpg and gif files to .eps?
No. Saving any of these files as an .eps will not change its basic properties.
How do I create my text to outlines?
In Adobe Illustrator, select all of your text. Select the "Type" heading and then "create outlines". Your text has now been created to outlines and can be saved as a graphic. Please note: Once your text has been created to outlines you will not be able to edit your text.
What is a bitmap image?
Bitmap images are images formed by a pattern of pixels and limited in resolution to the maximum resolution of the display or printer on which it is shown. Bitmapped images are produced by paint programs. They are considered inferior to vector graphics for most uses, but if the resolution is high enough (1200 for our use) an excellent reproduction will be achieved. Some bitmapped images may have aliasing caused by the square shape of the pixels. Bitmap graphics are saved as .tif.
What is a pixel?
This is short for "picture element" and is the smallest resolvable point of a raster image.
What is bit depth?
Bit depth is the term for the amount of data that one pixel is capable of representing. A monochrome bitmap is 1-bit, meaning a pixel is either white or black. A grayscale image is commonly 8-bit, meaning that a pixel is capable of 256 shades of gray. An RGB or CMYK may be from 12 to 48-bit, which at the top end means millions of possible colors per pixel.
What is aliasing?
In graphics, the undesirable jagged or stair-stepped appearance of diagonal lines in computer generated images. Anti-aliasing is a method of smoothing curved and diagonal edges in images. Intermediate pixels along edges are filled to smooth the transition between the edges and the surrounding areas.
What is resolution?
Resolution is the ability of an input device (such as scanner) to record, or an output device (such as printer) to reproduce the fine detail of an image. Our requirements are for line work to be 1200 dpi and photographs to be 300 dpi.
I’m not working from a program that can convert text to outlines. Can I still send my art with the font I want?
Yes, Mac and PC files created in Quark, Adobe Illustrator, and CorelDRAW, Corel PhotoPaint, Word, Excel and PDF format must include the font or fonts.
If using a True Type font, file extensions are .ttf.
If using Postscript type 1, file extensions on font are .pfb, .pfm and .afm where .pfb is the printer font and .afm and .pfm are the screen fonts.
How should I send files created in a layout program, such as InDesign, QuarkXPress, or Word?
These files must be accompanied by all fonts necessary, and any linked files used. Please note that all letterspacing (tracking or kerning) that is used in the original documents can be subject to change when opened, so accompanying .pdf for reference is recommended. With InDesign, please convert all text to outlines.
Due to font differences in Word documents, a clear sample of the art must also be faxed or sent in with the order.
Acrobat .pdf files must have all the fonts embedded.
I want my artwork to bleed off the edge of the stock. How can I prepare my artwork for this to happen?
Images that are to be printed right up to the edge of the stock will require the art to have a 1/8" bleed. Oversized stock charges will most likely apply. Please contact our quote department.
My artwork is not available in a usable electronic format. Can I mail a hard copy of the artwork in?
We do accept hard copy artwork mailed in, but please note that we have to scan the hard copy. Any defects, creases, jagged edges, and multi color prints will likely incur extra charges to fix. Ink Jet printouts and fax transmissions are not considered usable artwork. Please do not paper clip, tape or staple through your art. They all leave marks which will require additional art time.
My artwork files are very large. Can I provide a disk?
Yes. We accept 3.5" floppy disks, CD-ROM, CD-RW, CD-R, DVD-ROM, DVD-RW, DVD-R, and Iomega Zip disks.
My artwork contains linked files. Do I need to include these images?
All linked images must be included, unless you are able to embed them into the master document.
Other printers have been able to use my CMYK artwork. Why is this unacceptable to you?
While CMYK artwork is usable on a four color press, which combines Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black inks in one press run. CDS engraving and offset presses run spot colors in single runs and as such the artwork needs to be prepared differently.
What is a spot color?
While a 4-color press blends CMYK inks into composite colors, spot colors are colors such as regent blue or gold. These inks do not change color while being run on the press.
The file I want printed can be found on a web page. Can I just email the link?
No. All artwork files must be submitted directly to suppliedart@crane.com
Where should I send my art?
- Supplied art- Electronic art: suppliedart@crane.com
- Hard copy art and/or Electronic media: Crane’s Personal Design Services
- 1466 Curran Highway
- North Adams, Massachusetts 01247
How should I contact you for a quoted item?
Please call: (877) 478-4849 or (413) 664-4321
- Crane & Co. Dalton, MA 01226
- Customer Service: 1.800.268.2281
- Copyright ©2011 Crane & Co.
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