Digital Ad Specifications

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Please note: Digital ads are preferred. Digital submissions must comply with these requirements:
 

• Accepted document formats: 1) Mac-based Quark documents, 2) documents from other software programs saved as an EPS, or 3) documents from other programs that are properly converted to PDF.
  
• Fonts: Include PostScript fonts--both screen and printer.
  
• To reduce errors, we strongly recommend the use of preflight software; where applicable, please embed fonts in the file (instructions below).
  
• Images: Include all placed images, making sure that each is in CMYK mode, 300 dpi and saved as a TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) or an EPS (Encapsulated PostScript).
  
• Proof: All ads should include an actual size color proof of the final file. Please be certain your ad size is correct and that the image bleeds 1/8", if necessary.

Artwork submitted without a proof, including files sent electronically, will be charged for proof output.

Submit your digital ad to Automation World in one of two ways:

Preferred method: Upload your file electronically at www.automationworld.com/ftp. 

Or: Send us your file on a CD.

How to convert an ad to PDF format (Macintosh only)

To create PDF files compatible with our computer-to-plate process, please follow these steps:

1. Download the AW.joboptions file and place it in the settings folder in the Distiller Folder of Acrobat 4 or 5.

2. Download the BG_TRANSSCRIPT_offset file and place it into the printer descriptions folder in the extensions folder in the system folder.

3. Follow the instructions to create an EPS or PS file from your program of choice--perferrably Quark.

4. Drop the PS or EPS onto the distiller icon on your desktop or open up the file from distiller and select the PW.joboptions in the drop down menu at the top.

5. A PDF will be made and saved to the desktop with the name of the source file unless you have been prompted to change it.

6. Send the file to us!

Color/Ink Specifications:  All photos must be in CMYK in the application they were created in (Illustrator, Photoshop, Quark)

Trapping:  Preferences in Quark should be set so that the printer can do the trapping.

Process Trapping: turn OFF.  Auto Amount: and Indeterminate: should be set to 0 pt

Note:  Sometimes while creating PDF files from EPS files, Acrobat cannot embed the fonts and will give an error message while trying to create the PDF.  In Distiller go under Settings to font locations and map to the folder the problem font is in.  There you will be able to tell Distller to force the font(s) to be embedded. For example, you can substitute Wingdings (Truetype) with Zapf Dingbats.

Things to watch out for:

• Avoid RGB Images that typically come from scanners.
• Do not use PDF Writer or Write to PDF
• Do not use JPEG compression on imported photoshop files
• Do not use fonts created with Fontographer
• Do not stylize fonts--use the actual typeface instead.

How to make an EPS if you have a Macintosh

1. In any application that has a Print command, go into the print dialog box.
2. Where it says Destination: Click on it and select File
3. Click where it says General and select the menu choice "Save as file"
4. Click where it says PostScript Job and select the menu choice "EPS Mac enhanced Preview."
5. Leave the Postscript Level and the Data Format on its default settings.
6. Under Font Inclusion select the menu choice "All".
7. Click on Save Settings
8. Click on Print
9. It will give it a name and save it by default to the desktop.  Click on save.
10. You now have a fully useable EPS with all the fonts included in it!

Still have questions? This person can help:

George Shurtleff, Ad Production Manager, 312/222-1010x117