Tips and Checklist DTP
Page layout software
Page layout programs allow the user to open a template
file, import images and text, select from a variety
of type fonts and sizes, column justifications, document
formatting, and image linking. Page layout programs
enable designers to produce professional quality results
inexpensively and quickly without the need for outside
typesetting or assistance.
To begin working with MJK Disc Productions templates,
you must have available one of the three page layout
programs listed below:
QuarkXpress v4.0 or higher
Adobe Indesign v1.0 or higher
Adobe Illustrator v8.0 or higher
Adobe Pagemaker v6.5 or higher
Which software does MJK Disc Productions prefer?
Adobe Indesign is the best choice for DTP related
jobs.
It offers numerous advantages over Quark, among which
options that allow for more creativity, saving valuable
time and increasing productivity.
Check out www.adobe.com to
read some objective third parties reviews of the advantages
of Indesign over Quark.
QuarkXpress is the next best program preferred
for basic page layouts.
The preflight options and error checking are efficient
and well supported. Documents print to postscript much
more efficiently than Illustrator or Pagemaker. When
you import images they are automatically linked to
an external file which is what we want. A low resolution
version of your image is produced inside the Quark
document making the file much quicker to open and edit.
Quark features a great variety of plugins and text
handling abilities such as importing formatted Word
documents.
More details available at www.quark.com.
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Problems with other software
Pagemaker
Avoid using this program for it contains plenty of
bugs and disadvantages that will result in loss of
valuable time and productivity. Adobe created Indesign
for a reason. It's odd that that Pagemaker is still
sold and upgraded, for Indesign will eventually replace
Pagemaker.
Still, Pagemaker are accepted if this is the only program
available to the client.
CorelDraw
This program is no longer supported after numerous
complaints with the quality of the end product. Characters
disappear and color shifts occur when converting
to PDF. We can’t guarantee the outcome of Corel
Draw programs, so we do not support Corel Draw files.
Acrobat PDF 
Since you would need to make a PDF file using Indesign,Quark,
Illustrator or Pagemaker anyway, we prefer to have
the original layouts and not PDF-documents. PDFs
have a numerous options using compression that can
cause low quality printing. It only supports CMYK
color and is 'locked' so we can not adjust your files
if you inadvertently make a layout error.
Illustrator
Illustrator is an Illustration program and not really
set up to handle multi-page booklets and bottomcard
layouts. For single sheet output like a CD labels
however it is an available option. Features we enjoy
with Illustrator are the layers palette which allows
us to add masks, non-printing comments and guidelines
to assist designers with our templates. Also the
ability to work with compound paths makes CD face
design a breeze.
One of the most common errors with Illustrator is
that inexperienced designers PASTE images onto the
art board rather than using the “File > Place”-command,
or they check "Include external files within document" option
during saving making for a hefty bloated Illustrator
file that causes all sorts of delays with the computers
while ripping your files.
Please anticipate longer preflight times if you submit
anything other than Indesign or Quark files -unless
your layout is very simple.
TIP: design in Illustrator and move EPS files
to Quark and but don't forget to include your font
files for the EPS!
Photoshop
Photoshop is a raster image editing program, not
a page layout program. You can use Photoshop but eventually
the file must be placed in Quark or Illustrator for
proper output to the plate making machines. Think of
PSD files (Photoshop) as snap shots and Quark or Illustrator
as the photo album that assembles them all together.
Submitting only Photoshop files will result in additional
charges.
Photoshop usually contains bitmap elements (dots on
a page) but newer versions can contain vector based
elements (mathematical values of geometric shapes)
these elements enable super high resolution of the
object. Sometimes these elements can get flattened
during transport (file size is reduced) which then
renders all vector based items (including text!) into
lower resolution dots (we usually ask for 300 Disc
Productions i images). Once this happens changing paragraphs,
text alignment and typos is not possible. If you keep
text vector based, as you would by typing your text
elements in Quark or Illustrator, your result is smooth,
high-resolution text and not halftones creating the "jaggies" PROVIDED
you send us the font file (small .ttf files that contain
the font shape info).
This program should only be used for what it is intended
- to create photo images for placement into Indesign
or Quark.
What if you have no access to Quark or Illustrator
and are ready to go with only Photoshop files?
MJK Disc Productions can accept Photoshop files for
about EUR 100 additional to your original quote. We
will mount into our templates and advise you of any
adjustments or modifications needed prior to production.
Additional charges for adjustments and layouts over
8 pages.
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The very first impression is the artwork.
There are two main methods of getting your design
onto the CD face and paper parts:
For experienced computer graphics designers
You are (or know someone who is) an experienced computer
graphics designer and can organize Indesign, Quark,
Illustrator files using MJK Disc Productions approved
templates.
If no errors found we will then produce pre-press proofs
for you to review and approve before your job is run.
Please review your Proofing Options for this service
and then read all about the technical side at our Computer
Graphics info center.
MJK Disc Productions will be pleased to instruct you
how to get professional high resolution images, deep
colors and crisp text into your packaging. Call our
graphics department now to discuss your next project
at +32 (0)16 89 37 35.
No graphic design experience
MJK Disc Productions will help with the design & layout
of your artwork.
Send us your images, Word Doc with text, fonts, and
mockup and let MJK Disc Production's professional
graphics team assemble your ideas in record time.
Email PDF proofs available to ensure your complete
satisfaction.
MJK Disc Productions will take your pictures and
text to create CD labels, booklets, mailers, software
boxes...almost anything!
Call +32 (0)16 89 37 35, use our online
contact form or send an e-mail to info@mjk.be to
find out how easy we can make it for you.
Need help with the preparation of you artwork?
Why not let MJK Disc Productions do everything for
you?
Call +32 (0)16 89 37 35, use our online
contact form or send an e-mail to info@mjk.be to
find out how easy we can make it for you.
Common design pitfalls
Every file submitted for production will include a
full preflight (analysis) in an attempt to identify
issues or 'show stoppers' that will prevent your project
from continuing. It is much easier for all involved
if you are aware up front that minor adjustments may
be made to your files to ensure smooth transfers to
the printing plates.It is critical you carefully check
for changes made to your designs during proofing stages.
Common mistakes found with client supplied electronic
printing material:
General
Client did not use our templates
Client did not read the tutorial you are reading
now
Templates were exported as EPS files. Keep all templates
in their native file types
Images were pasted or dragged into the layout. Always
use File | Place or Import
Placed images resolution too low or too high (always
use 300 DPI)
In CMYK mode you colored something 400% density.
(Too much ink)
Images saved in RGB instead of CMYK
Images delivered in wrong file format (JPG, GIF,…).
Use TIFF, BMP, PSD.
B&W images saved as RGB or CMYK
Corrupted or missing Post Script printer fonts
Spelling mistakes and typos (e.g. Order of tracks,
names of band members)
Placing text in a 300 DPI Photoshop image. Publishing
programs like Indesign or Quark should be used for
text placement.
Fonts and other unused items from design experimentation
never deleted.
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CD Label Specific:
Client did not read the customer supplied film specifications
guide
Label film not sized to specifications
Line screen not respected (120 max)
Gradients used (very hard to reproduce accurately)
Gradient fills for label too detailed (need slow
transitions)
Image or information inside the non-printable area
of the disc label
Image outside printable area
PMS colors not separating properly. (Do test separations
at your end first)
Florescent colors specified (don't use them)
Hexachrome values used (do not use a number with
a dash: e.g.. PMS156-7)
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Paper Parts specific (booklets tray cards etc.)
Image files not supplied
Tray card spine text upside down
Bar code placed on nonwhite background
Pantone colors specified in CMYK output (paper parts)
without prior warning.
No mockup supplied for booklets and CD label
Text too close to cut marks. Allow for enough gutter
margin)
No bleed around booklet panels
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Fonts:
Fonts are missing or incomplete
Do not stylize fonts (make Bold and italic) in Quark;
i.e. don't use the 'bold' command to make regular Helvetica
appear bold. Use the correct Helvetica Bold font instead.
All fonts need to be shipped with your print files,
including the bold or italic font versions.
Remember the fonts embedded in EPS files. Often a
customer will send the fonts used to create headlines
and text, but forget to include fonts that are contained
in EPS graphics that are imported into the page layout
document.
As an alternative, before creating an EPS, you can
convert the text to paths. Most Illustration programs,
especially Illustrator and FreeHand, have the ability
to change text into vector elements so you no longer
need to include the font files. It becomes self contained.
Do backup your files before you convert!
(select your text > Type > Create Outlines)
Avoid nesting or layering of fonts. Placing type
in a graphic, then placing it in another graphic, and
finally, imprinting it into the page layout program
could make it hard for the imagesetter to find the
font. Try to keep graphic file construction simple.
Avoid obscure font manufacturers or bargain basement
fonts. All fonts are not created equal. Strange fonts
could cause problems with high-resolution output. Some
of these types of fonts are only made for 300 DPI laser
printers.
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+32 (0)16 89 37 35
