Guide to Digital Prepress

At Clays we use an Esko Digital PrePress system for all plates. All data received is converted into our own format for imposition and storage purposes. All output is direct to plate.

Prepress Equipment

We use eight compaq workstations through which we process your orders to produce a factory works instruction and your data to produce plates. The network, which includes six platesetters, is supported by five servers. All data is archived and can be retrieved and manipulated for future reprints in any size.

Digital Data

We accept digital data in the form of PDF files. Digital data can be supplied on discs, as e-mail attachments sent via your Account Controller, via our ISDN link (01986 895031) or via FTP.

How to login to Clays FTP Site

Enter the FTP Site address in the address bar of internet explorer.
Note: this will not work using -
firefox
safari
opera

Clays FTP site is ftp://clays.ftpstream.com



If you are not automaticly prompted for username and password, choose 'Login As...' from th file menu



Enter Your username and password, if you need a username and password you can simple request this by contacting your account controller.



You can now copy the files by "copy & paste" or "drag & Drop" in to the window

Connect to FTP Using MAC

if you are using a mac you can access this form the:

Cick on GO menu
>> Connect to server
>> Enter ftp address ftp://clays.ftpstream.com and click connect
>> Enter Username & Password
>> You can now copy the files by "copy & paste" or "drag & Drop" in        to the window.

Submitting Digital Data

Before submitting any digital data, please ensure you have read through the details in this Prepress Guidelines section. Please include a copy of our Order Information Form (Microsoft Word, 40kB) with all data.

For more information, please contact us

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Supplying PDF Data

We will always process an initial test disc if requested - please ensure the test includes any pages containing half-tones, tints etc.

Do

• ... provide files as PDF.
• ... embed all your fonts.
• ... use high resolution images in the PDF file.
• ... supply no more than one component per disc.

Do not

• ... use colour images in a file intended for black and white work.
• ... use Adobe 3 or TrueType fonts.
• ... leave errors uncorrected.
• ... supply application files - the Barco system will only accept PDF files.
• ... use lines less than 25 micron in thickness.

Putting the files together

• Supply a list of files and the pages contained within them (use Order Information Form).
• Use logical file names.
• Use multi-page files.
• Ensure blank pages are blank.
• Provide pages in consecutive order.
• Supply pages as they will visually appear on the printed page i.e. if printed portrait, should be supplied portrait.
• Save as single and never double page spreads.
• If proofs are supplied they must be output from the final PDF file. They may be used for reference in the event of problems or queries but will not be checked for content.
• If you have compressed the PDF files, please state what compression software was used, and if possible include the decompression software.
• Save onto CD/R, 3.5" Floppies, FTP or email.

Detail

• All pages should be the same size and same reduction or enlargement factor should be applied.
• For bled pages the typesetter must set up the page size and include an allowance of 5mm all round.
• For production of half tone screens use: 150 Ipi for web; 175 Ipi for sheet fed.
• Mechanical diagram tints to be minimum of 7% going up in steps of 10% to maximum of 70%.
• Generate all images as black and white originals for black and white work, not monochromed colour images.
• Material in Hebrew and Arabic script must be supplied in reverse page order.

Job make-up

• Job must have a minimum of 3mm bleed.
• Type and non-bleeding images such as logos, flashes etc, should be withdrawn 4mm from book trims.
• Number of colours in digital data match Publishers orders.
• Trim sizes are correct.
• Spine size is correct for cover / jackets / cover for case.
• Job has both trim and spine marks.
• Data has been supplied as PDF or PS.

Finishing Data (cover / jackets / cover for case)

• Must supply a seperate finishing file for each finish (e.g. spot uv and foil = 2 files).
• Finishing data must be in one colour only and solid (e.g 100%K).
• Finishing data must fit colour area exactly.

Supplying data checks

• Correct number of files have been copied to CD (e.g. colour file and spot uv = 2 files).
• Correct number of proofs supplied including finishing (e.g. colour file and spot uv = 2 proofs).
• After writing CD please check that CD is then readable and contains the correct files.
• View final PDF data to check that all is OK.
• PDF or PS data has been copied to CD.

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Data Suppliers Colour Rules

All digital data should be supplied in PDF format:

• Provide files in PDF.
• Ensure number of colours matches print order (i.e. The black text and tone are combined, not as separate colours).
• Include colour proof from the file.
• Embed all fonts.
• Supply on CD/R, or via FTP or email.
• Postscript or PDF file to contain high-resolution images.
• Use logical file names.
• Must supply separate printing, blocking and spot UV files.
• Blocking and spot UV - one colour only please.
• Must be a composite image.
• Please supply trim and spine width marks.
• Please don't use Adobe 3 or true type fonts.
• Please don't leave errors uncorrected.
• Please don't supply application files.
• Please don't use lines less than 25 microns.
• We can extract data from FTP sites.
• Images must be supplied 'upright' so that files do not need rotation.

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Halftones

At Clays we use cold set web presses. Halftones can be successfully printed on text paper, however, wherever possible, halftones should be avoided in the first or last sections of the book (first 32 or last 32pp) as a certain amount of "set-off" (i.e. ink transferring onto the page facing the halftone) is inevitable due to the binding process. This will be particularly noticeable on hardback titles, if the illustration or tint is particularly dark or if the illustration is facing the title page or a blank page. If you have a title where positioning of halftones on these pages is unavoidable, please contact your account controller to discuss.

For printing on text paper the screen ruling should be 150 lines per inch. For printing as separate illustration sections printing on coated paper the screen ruling should be 175 lines per inch.

Please contact us for confirmation of the three curves required for halftone screening and for any other details.

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Reprints

• i.e. titles previously printed at Clays.
• Supply corrected pages on disc or via e-mail instead of camera ready copy.
• Email files should be addressed to your Account Controller.
• Correction pages must be supplied as single page files (e.g. cor-p123).

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Logical File Names

It is important that files are named correctly. Please use the following styles when supplying data as we need to be able to identify the file from its name.

Text

Should have the page range or chapter in the name.
e.g. prelims.pdf or I_X.pdf
chapter1.pdf or 001-020.pdf

Endpapers

e.g. title-ends.pdf

Illustrations

e.g. title-illus01-16.pdf

Colour

e.g. title-jac.pdf, title-cov.pdf, title-cfc.pdf

Finishing data

e.g. title-foil.pdf, title-emb.pdf, title-spotuv.pdf

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