FILE FORMATS
File formats can be confusing. I think we can get away with addressing a simple few and as long as you are able to provide the following types of files, you should be good to go. Having already touched on layers, vectored or rastered and resolution, this short list of file formats should cap off your knowledge and get you “in the know”.
Here’s a list of what’s most commonly preferred when sending art to a screen-printer to be color separated.
Photoshop file = .PSD
Send this file layered at the size you want it to print at with the resolution set to a minimum of 200dpi. Some printers like it at 300dpi though. Again, the file should be built at size and at a minimum of 200dpi, then sent to your print house like that.
Illustrator file = .AI
This is a vectored file. It can be sent as an EPS, PDF or AI file. Most places will request an EPS with all of the text converted to outlines. ALWAYS convert all text to outlines! It’s a simple step and avoids a ton of potential mistakes while adding that little extra insurance your graphic will come out as you expect it to. If your artist doesn’t use Illustrator, have them export the file as an EPS.
Don’t worry about “choking” or “trapping”. They’re both the same thing. Most every printer has their own methods of doing this that suits them, their equipment and their crew. If you bother with it, you’re just wasting your time unless specifically directed by your printer to do otherwise.
Flat Files
Flat files are sometimes unavoidable and that’s okay. Here’s a list of what to gather for your printer to work with.
TIFF = Great file that holds more color information than a normal JPEG. They can also be layered and/or bitmaps, which are useful in the separation and outputting process.
JPEG = Normally not the best file to send because it’s been compressed to save space but they can work. The only reason I say it’s not the best is because most people mistake the lower resolution Internet files as suitable for reproduction. In all honesty, they can work just fine if you know how to save the file before sending it over. If you send a JPEG (or any other rastered file), make sure it was built at the final print size and is at a very minimum of 200dpi.
In Closing
These aren’t the only files that will work but it’s a good general outline to follow when requesting art from someone to send to a screen print house. Any artist is capable of providing these files as well so don’t be afraid to ask.
“I need all the files for that gig layered, at final print size and 300dpi with any other vectored stuff you have in there as well.”
Scream it if you need to!
Tags: ai, eps, File formats, Illustrator, layered, Photoshop, psd, raster, Screen-printing, screenprinting, vector
