Below is a guide to our tech specs as well as instructions for sending your files to Paper Chase. Please follow all the guidelines below, failure to do so may cause problems in production including delays. We also provide templates for many of our products that will make the job of preparing your files much easier.
Feel free to call or email our customer service department if you have questions. At Paper Chase, we take customer support very seriously and we take pride in maintaining personal relationships with our clients.
Tech Specs
Book Files: Book files must be provided as PDFs (Acrobat versions 4 or 5) generated from InDesign, using Paper Chase’s preferred export presets. PDFs should be built as single pages, not as spreads. The InDesign templates can be downloaded here.
Book files submitted otherwise will incur additional charges at the pro-rated rate of $150 per hour in order to make them press-ready. Cover and text files should be submitted as separate documents.
All Other Files: All other files must be provided as PDFs (Acrobat versions 4 or 5) generated from InDesign, Illustrator, Quark or Photoshop, using Paper Chase’s preferred export presets. All images are to be Flattened Tiff, JPEG, or PSD files before creating your final print ready PDF’s. The InDesign templates can be downloaded here.
Template Layers: When using Paper Chase templates, do not build your files on the “locked layer” of template instructions.
Zip/Stuff Files: Files should be submitted zipped or stuffed, submitting files un-compressed will result in delayed download times.
File Names: Do not name files using any special characters, use letters and numbers only, special characters in names will corrupt your file.
Variable Data: Variable data files should be submitted as individual PDFs for each version of the artwork.
Image Resolution: All images should be between 300 at their final size. Sending smaller images will result in pixilated reproduction. However, sending images that larger than necessary will slow prepress down dramatically.
Image Types: We accept most standard image file types, including TIFFs, EPSs, BMPs, JPGs and PSDs. Save all images with the U.S. Sheetfed Coated v2 color profile.
Color Profiles: Files should be submitted and exported as U.S. Sheetfed Coated v2 color profile, unless otherwise instructed by Paper Chase. Files for die fabrications should be submitted as 1-color PDFs, to size and placement in their document.
Rich Blacks: Large black solids should run as a rich black to ensure smooth coverage and dark densities. We recommend 40% cyan, 30% magenta, 30% yellow, 100% black for a nice heavy solid.
Previews: For the most accurate preview of your color, view your files in a SWAP CMYK color profile.
Trim Size: Files should be built to trim size, with bleeds extending 1/8 inch beyond the edge.
Pagination: Files should be built as 1-up, in final page order, exactly as they should appear in their final form. Page 1 should be followed by page 2, then 3 and 4, in that order. Paper Chase requires all files to be built as single pages only, no spreads or separate layers for each page. Standard depth of gutter is 3/8 inch per page. Crossover artwork that includes text may not align properly.
Text & Raster/Vector Issues: Dealing with fonts in raster-based programs, such as Photoshop, can result in severely degraded font quality. In order to make your text as smooth as possible, we suggest that you use page layout software to handle text. If you keep your text as vectors (the format used by Illustrator, InDesign, Quark, and other page layout programs) you can be sure of much sharper edges and better overall text rendering. No text smaller than 3pt. or lines thinner than 0.25pt.
Black Text: Black text, particularly small black text, should always print as black only. Creating your text as rich black, or “registration” will result in fuzzy lettering, especially on serif text.
Rich Blacks: Large black solids should run as a rich black to ensure smooth coverage and dark densities. We recommend 40% cyan, 30% magenta, 30% yellow, 100% black for a nice heavy solid.
Bleed Margins: All images that bleed should extend 1/8 inch beyond the trim size of the page, to ensure a clean cut with no gaps.
Safety Margins: Important details should remain at least 1/4 inch inside the trim size of the job. On single page jobs, this is not urgent, but on multi-page books with folded signatures, it is important to keep in mind.
Custom Stamping: Custom stamping, especially artwork with heavy coverage, may result in piquing. Stamps with type should not be shorter than 1/2 inch height. Stamp artwork should be submitted as PDFs made from vector or EPS files and as 100% black, PDFs made from Photoshop files will have rasterized text.
Playing Cards – Custom Box Stamping: All stamps are horizontally oriented and placed in the center of the front side of the box.
Heavy Ink Coverage: Heavy ink coverage on external surface on the following paper stocks may result in piquing: 130# FSC Certified Matte, 130# FSC Certified Gloss, 100# FSC Certified Matte,100# FSC Certified Gloss and 10pt FSC Certified C1S paper stocks. UV coating can be added to prevent scuffing.
Submit your Files
If your files are larger than 300MB they will have to be shipped to our offices via Disc, or Drive. If your files are smaller than 300MB keep reading for alternate submission methods.
This is the easiest way to submit your files. Consolidate all of your files into one folder that is clearly labeled with your project or company name, then compress the folder into a .zip file. Please include your email address so we can contact you. It takes a little while to upload larger files so please be patient.
Our favorite way to receive files under 300 MB is through the upload form in the section above. But if you would rather send your files via FTP, that’s fine too.
To submit files on our server, please use the following login information:
- Host: 64.29.151.221
- Username: pcp.paperchase.net
- Password: pcguest1
Consolidate all of your files into one folder that is clearly labeled with your project or company name. Upload this folder into the “FTP_Uploads” folder. When your files have finished uploading, please email or call to let us know.
If you encounter problems logging in please call our customer service department and we can walk you through the process.