the final document size to where the important information or
artwork begins inside the bounds of the document.
This is visible in the graphic below as the "Live Area for Images,
Type & Logos". This means that the area where important
artwork (logos, text, etc.) and information will reside on an 8
1/2" x 11" has an actual size of 8 1/4" x 10 3/4".
Lithomatic is not responsible if important artwork or text extends
beyond these specifications and is cut off!
All images must be submitted at 300 dpi at 100% scale (of the print size) and must be submitted in uncompressed
TIFF format without layers (flattenned). They must all be converted to CMYK colors. We will not accept any JPEGs
or images in any format submitted in RGB colors.
Remember, a higher quality image resolution does not always result in better print quality. Excessive images
resolutions (beyond 300 dpi) will only dramatically increase your file size and will not improve the print quality.
Furthermore, the extra time required to handle these larger files could delay your turnaround time.
Vector-based graphics suitable for type and logos should be submitted at 100% scale and converted to EPS
CMYK format with all fonts converted to outlines. Lithomatic will not be responsible for output from an EPS which
contains fonts that are not converted to curves.
Color
We do not print PMS colors! The PMS and Pantone colors need to be converted to CMYK colors. Please, never
submit anything using RGB, Pantone or PMS colors! We also cannot accept spot colors, only process
colors. Our presses will automatically convert Pantone, PMS, RGB and spot colors to 4-color tints, but the results
are often undesirable. Avoid unexpected results by designing and submitting your files in CMYK only.
What are RGB colors?
RGB colors are those used by most computer monitors and televisions to display full color. It is NOT, however,
used for printing color output.
What are CMYK Colors?
Most color presses (including those used by Lithomatic) use the combination of these four colors (Cyan,
Magenta, Yellow and Black) to create full color output. Even simpler desktop color printers (such as Laser and
Inkjet printers) rely primarily on the combination of these four inks to create full color output. All work submitted to
us must be converted to CMYK.
To obtain the richest possible black, all heavy blacks and defined text over 24 pt needs to be configured with the
following color combination:
Cyan: 60%
Magenta: 50%
Yellow: 50%
Black: 100%
Also remember that you should not set light colors to overprint dark ones. When a light color is placed on top of a
dark one, the dark one will always be dominant and will always overprint the light one.
Fonts
If it is at all possible, please convert all fonts to outlines. Fonts that are used in QuarkXpress, PageMaker and
InDesign need to be submitted along with your file. We must receive both the screen and printer fonts used in
your file. Also, don't forget any fonts included in your graphics which were not converted to curves.
We are able to accept fonts for the Macintosh as well as Windows. We can also accept the new cross-platform
OTF fonts. Make sure that when you submit your file you let us know which platform you used to create
your job.
Please make sure that you include a PDF (with fonts embedded) or a hard copy of your work for us to ensure that
we're printing what you want the way you want it.
Compression
We request that you send any pictures and graphics in either TIFF or EPS format. Please do not use LZW, JPG
or any other type of compression offered by your software (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.) for these types of files.
When you are ready to send your file to us, please compress all your files (document, fonts, images, etc.) into
ONE archive. You may use either SIT for Macintosh or ZIP for Windows. You may use Stuffit Lite for the Mac or
WinZip for Windows. Both are available free using Newer versions of Windows XP and the Mac OS include
compression software as well.
As part of your order, we also request that you submit a PDF with embedded fonts and graphics in CMYK or a
hard copy. This allows us to see what your work is supposed to look like reducing the chance for errors.
Once your order is ready, you may send it to us by e-mail at andy@lithomaticny.com or you can folllow the
instructions on the Send Files Page or contact us to arrange other delivery methods. If you are going to e-mail
the order to us, you should include the complete name of your company, your name, your telephone number,
information about the job (quantity, paper, turnaround time, etc.) as well as shipping information and the type of
payment you will use (cash, credit card or company check). If you will be paying with a company check, we must
receive it before we can start printing your job.
Software
Lithomatic accepts files from both Macintosh and Windows platforms. We accept files from the following programs:
Adobe Illustrator up to version 11.0 (convert to Illustrator EPS with fonts set to outlines).
Adobe Photoshop up to version 8.0 (for creating your TIFFs).
QuarkXpress up to version 6.0 (must include fonts and links. No embedded links. All colors in CMYK).
Adobe InDesign up to version 3.0 (must convert fonts to curves. No embedded links. No layers. All colors in
CMYK).
Macromedia Freehand up to version 11.0 (convert to EPS with fonts set to outlines).
Adobe PageMaker up to version 7.0 (must include fonts and links. No embedded links. All colors in CMYK).
Corel Draw up to version 10.0 (convert to EPS with fonts set to outlines).
In order to create a TIFF file, you may use any conventional photo editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop or
Corel Photo-Paint. Please make sure that they are saved using CMYK colors with no layers (flattenned) and no
compression.
At Lithomatic we want to make sure that your job comes out as good as possible. And we are here to
help. If you find any of the information on this page difficult to understand or require additional
assistance, please send us an e-mail at andy@lithomaticny.com or give us a call at 212-255-6700 or fax
at 212-242-5963.
