We accept files created in the following native applications (subject to a processing charge):

Adobe InDesign CS3®
Adobe PageMaker® 6.0-6.5
Adobe Photoshop CS3®
Adobe Illustrator CS3®

**For all other files that are created in applications that we do not recommend, please submit files in PDF format with all fonts and graphics embedded! Be sure to follow the color specifications below.

*Electronic files sent must be proofread and free of errors. We cannot be responsible for any errors found from supplied files after printing. It is the customer's responsibility to prepare electronic files in usable form. If the customer fails to prepare electronic files in usable form, customer agrees deadlines will be suspended and may require a charge for conversion. Customer's disk must contain all necessary data, software, fonts, etc.

Application Requirements

Adobe® InDesign®
1. Change all text into "outlines" in your document.
2. If you are using an imported graphic in your InDesign® document, be sure to include or embed the original graphic file. Place graphics at 100%.
3. Save the file as an .INDD.
4. Color all text and graphics according to the color specifications (below) for the type of product you are ordering. Placed graphics need to be high-quality or good vector art to receive the best quality printed product.
5. If bleeds are needed, allow 1/8" on each applicable side.
6. A composite printout is required for all Pantone® spot & CMYK printing.

Pagemaker 6.5® or earlier
1. If you are using fonts that we do not have, outlines must be created in an Illustrator program before placing into your Pagemaker® document. Fonts will be substituted if you are unable to create outlines.
2. Along with your file sent for output, we need the supporting graphic file(s) given the same name as the graphic(s) in your document. (Changing the name after placement will make the graphic come up as "missing" or "modified" when read by our computers.)
3. We prefer placed images to be in a TIFF or EPS format.
4. Color all text and graphics according to the color specifications (below) for the type of product you are ordering.
5. If bleeds are needed, allow 1/8" on each applicable side.
6. A composite printout is required for all Pantone® spot & CMYK printing.

Adobe® Illustrator®
1. Change all text into "outlines" in your document.
2. If you are using an imported graphic in your Illustrator® document, be sure to include or embed the original graphic file. Place graphics at 100%. Placed graphics need to be high-quality or good vector art to receive the best quality printed product.
3. Save the file as an Illustrator EPS.
4. Color all text and graphics according to the color specifications (below) for the type of product you are ordering.
5. If bleeds are needed, allow 1/8" on each applicable side.
6. A composite printout is required for all Pantone® spot & CMYK printing.

Adobe® Photoshop®
1. Files must be saved as a Macintosh TIFF with LZW compression.
2. Do not color an image in Photoshop® (for spot printing).
3. Please submit black and white bitmap images at 600 dpi and grayscale images at 300 dpi for standard spot printing. For full-color printing, CMYK images need to be submitted at 300 dpi.
Images that come to Blue Water Printing at lower qualities than what is recommended will be output as sent. We will not raise the quality here.
4. Color all text and graphics according to the color specifications (below) for the type of product you are ordering.
5. If bleeds are needed, allow 1/8" on each applicable side.
6. A composite printout is required for all Pantone® spot & CMYK printing.

PDFs
1. All fonts must be embedded.
2. All elements of the file must be colored per our guidelines.
3. When creating your PDF file, make sure that it is set for PRINT or PRESS QUALITY (not screen) and that all fonts are embedded. Make sure all linked files are included.
4. All placed graphics and images need to be high-quality, colored according to our guidelines for the product ordered. Whenever possible, place vector images into the layout before converting to a PDF. Please be aware that when changes need to be made (converting to CMYK color mode, etc.), there is the possibility of the quality being compromised.


Creating Your Files

** Create one item sized correctly per document. (Placed graphics and text should be sized at 100%).

File Resolution:
We recommend that you submit black and white bitmap images at 600 dpi and grayscale images at 300 dpi for standard spot printing. For full-color printing, CMYK images need to be submitted at 300 dpi. Images that come to Blue Water Printing at lower resolutions than what is recommended will be output as sent. We cannot raise the resolution here. DO NOT USE WEB IMAGES.

Margin Requirements:
1. Business cards must be sent 1-up to size with at least a 1/4" margin.
2. Envelopes should allow 1/4" from the top and side.
3. All other products require a minimum of 3/8” margin on all sides.

Bleed Requirements for all printing processes:
1/8" bleed allowance is required on each applicable side for proper trimming. Be sure to create your file accordingly by extending the text or background that will bleed beyond the edge(s) of the finished size by 1/8" on all sides. If there is no bleed allowance on the artwork you provide you will be contacted to make the necessary adjustments.

Color Requirements:

One Color Pantone® Spot Printing -
*Please do not colorize one color files (all black is fine).

Multi-Color Pantone® Spot Printing -
Use Pantone® specific numbers in color library.

1. In order to eliminate confusion and unnecessary output you must remove all unused colors from your color palette.
2. If a logo is created in an application such as Photoshop, Illustrator, etc. and will be used as a graphic in another application such as InDesign, Pagemaker®, etc. they must have all unused colors removed from the artwork unless the artwork is to be printed in multiple Pantone® spot or CMYK colors. Remember to save/export all graphics as an EPS of TIFF.
3. You are responsible for any trapping or spreading needed for orders requiring registration. A trap allowance between .4 and .7 is acceptable.

Full-color Printing -
1. Every element of the file must be colored with process CMYK colors (no RGB, indexed color, Pantone, etc.)
2. Pantone® colors - While we are often able to closely reproduce a Pantone® spot PMS ink using the full-color process, PMS Pantone® spot colors and process colors are produced using different methods. Therefore, colors produced in full-color will differ from Pantone® spot colors, sometimes significantly.
3. Do not trap black in CMYK files. Please make all type and/or graphics that are to be printed in black as 100% black.
4. *Reminder for full-color printing: If the file is not saved in the correct CMYK color format you will be contacted to make the necessary adjustments.

Scanned Images:
Please scan color photos at 300dpi or higher for output at 150lpi. Images must be properly sized.
Full color photos must be saved as CMYK, Photoshop EPS (w/out jpeg encoding) or TIFF's – do not save them as a jpeg. B/W photos should be saved as TIFF's.

Black and White line art should be scanned in as line art or bitmap at 600 dpi and should be saved as TIFF's.

Web Images:
Images designed for the web are done at a low screen resolution of 72dpi and are in RGB format. These images are not recommended for printing. A 72dpi image will result in fuzzy and/or blurry appearance if enlarged; therefore, we cannot be responsible for print quality.

Acceptable Applications & Guidelines

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