Mechanical Data
This page contains all the information needed to successfully send electronic
artwork to the Production Department of Newsquest (Watford). It contains
examples of dot gain, screen rulings, colour specification, file sizes and deadlines,
as well as the many different ways the Production department is able to accept
your supplied files.
Followed properly, it helps to ensure your advert appears correctly, time
and time again. So please keep it to hand in your own production department.
This document has been compiled over a number of months where a careful study
of electronic artwork has been carried out. We have taken into account the various
formats available within the market place, and feel we have made ourselves more
than accommodating, offering many options to suit a range of clients. There
are some agency practices that we are unable to accommodate but we feel comfortable
that these guidelines will be welcomed by many of you and in turn will be beneficial
to your customers as well as our own production department.
All documents we are sent electronically, whether they be on disk or via ISDN
or ADS, are in turn sent electronically using our ISDN line direct to our print
sites. This gives us the added complication of making sure that the files we
can accept are also compatible with our print site requirements. If the attached
information is not followed clearly we cannot guarantee the advertisements appearing
in our titles.
We would ask that you bear in mind the differences which exist between all
origination centres/press output centres in terms of the level of equipment
and software used. According to the set-ups employed, a file which reproduces
perfectly at one centre may cause errors at another. We always endeavour to
error-trap and alert the supplier. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond
our control, this is not always possible. Two of the most common errors encountered
are “knockout” items failing to appear and font embedding issues. We therefore
ask that you refer to the sections relating to these issues.
If further information is required please do not hesitate to contact Neil Peters
on 01923 216320or email npeters@london.newsquest.co.uk.
The following deadlines are designed to give both advertisers and production
the required time to prepare complete electronic artwork ready for application.
If any of these deadlines are missed by the customer the production department
reserve the right to exclude the advert from the booked publication.
Any client who supplies an incorrect advert to the production department within
deadline will be notified and given a reasonable amount of time to re-supply
correct artwork. If the artwork is incorrect and late there will be no phone
call and the paper will be filled with an appropriate ‘in-house’ filler. The
full amount will still be invoiced.
As with all enquiries please call the production department on 01923 216363
from Monday to Thursday 8am - 10pm and Friday 9am to 1pm
MIDWEEK Title code MW
All sections 1.00pm Friday
SOUTH BUCKS STAR Title code ST
All sections 5.00pm Tuesday
BUCKS FREE PRESS Title code FP
All sections 5.00pm Wednesday
UXBRIDGE/EALING TIMES Title codes UT and ET
All sections 5.00pm Tuesday
LIMITED EDITION South Bucks Edition (Monthly magazine) Title code LE
All sections 5.00pm Monday prior to press day
When sending artwork where possible please send as an electronic file, following
the various formats listed attached. Newsquest (High Wycombe) is fully electronic
and supplied film or bromide causes issues with time and transmission to other
press sites. If film or bromide must be supplied please contact your advertising
representative and inform them of this. Agencies wishing to confirm receipt
of their electronic file please use 01923 216321
The preferred means of supplying artwork is via AdFast. - an impartial company
that acts as a go between for agencies and production departments. Colour and
mono files can be converted in to PDFs (Portable Document Format) and uploaded
for the production department to download. This process provides checks on the
file and confirmation of receipt of files from both parties. Please visit www.adfast.co.uk
to register.
Other forms of media are however accepted, these include:
ISO 9660 or APPLE MAC FORMAT
- 100MB Zip Discs
- CD Rom Discs
- 3.5 Floppy Discs (1.44MB)
- 2 GB Jaz discs
When sending disks please send directly to the ad rep responsible for the
booking. They will then forward this to the production department with the relevant
paper work.
Please send a stamped addressed envelope if you would like your disks returned.
When sending files they must be named in the following format:
Edition Code (e.g. FP - [Bucks Free Press], ST - [Star]) then ADID/URN (Advertisement
Identity) followed by the date of publication (e.g. FP1234567 25-6-2001)
This production department will not except responsibility for errors caused
on files that DO NOT use this naming convention.
Electronically supplied artwork must be saved as an EPS graphic or PDF file
and have all fonts embedded within it. This also applies to “nested” graphics
within the file (see notes on NESTED GRAPHICS).
Do not supply fonts separately on disk, this is illegal. Any file supplied
with separate fonts runs the risk of having them substituted with similar styles
from our current font list or the exclusion of the advertisement altogether.
In this case we cannot accept liability for any errors.
Many artwork packages will allow the user to embed the fonts when they initially
save it as an EPS or PDF. If the package does not allow this we suggest downloading
font embedding software from www.fontincluder.com
(This site also offers a 30 day trial). The benefit of using FontIncluder is
that when unable to locate a font for embedding it alerts the operator with
the font name and will not allow creation of the EPS file.
If Acrobat Distiller is used to embed fonts, please be aware of a known problem.
Sometimes the program will omit fonts even though they are shown within the
font folder. It is best to set Distiller’s preferences to cause the file to
“fail” when this occurs and therefore alert the operator. Please note that this
error can usually be overcome by placing the font concerned into the resource
folder within Acrobat‘s program files.
Please note that if your files are produced in Illustrator or FreeHand it is
advisable to convert all fonts to paths or outlines to guarantee their inclusion.
This will then remove the requirement for processing the EPS file through separate
software for font embedding. Microsoft Publisher files must be checked for font
license issues and then saved as a PostScript (PS) file. If it is not possible
to save a PS file the document must be saved using the “Pack and Go” function,
selecting the option to “Take to a Commercial Printer”. Failure to do this may
lead to font substitution or rejection of the supplied file.
| COLOUR FILES COLOUR FILES |
When the artwork that is supplied includes full colour or spot colour in any
of the above formats, then the client has to ensure that all colours including
custom colours are converted to CMYK process colours. If this does not happen
the customer runs the risk of having certain colour separations missing from
the printed product. RGB and Pantone ARE NOT acceptable. This also applies to
graphics (often logos) “nested” within files which are then saved as EPS.
Maximum file size:- 30Mb. Anything over this file size can cause difficulties
in outputting and may result in an incorrect reproduction or even omission from
our publications. With full colour ads this file size quadruples and takes a
great deal of time to output. If the document is too big or corrupt Newsquest
(High Wycombe) will contact the sender. This will only apply if the deadline
has been met. However if the job is incorrect and the deadline passed, the omission
from the paper rests solely with the customer.
Colour files saved in Photoshop format should be PhotoShop EPS : (NOT PhotoShop
DCS1 or DCS2)
DCS = Off (PhotoShop 4 and older)
Preview = MacIntosh 8 bit/pixel
Encoding for both colour and grayscale files = Binary
Screen resolutions for graphics used within files are:
- Bitmap (Lineart) = 600 dpi
- Grayscale = 150 dpi
- Colour (CMYK) = 200 dpi
Please note that these settings ALSO apply to all images (colour and mono)
used within a document which is eventually saved as an EPS. We have experienced
issues where such ”nested graphics” have been saved with the Encoding set to
JPEG, in the belief that this encoding will be converted when the EPS of the
document is produced. Unfortunately this is not the case. During output of these
files the RIP will be unable to correctly interpret the colour or mono information
and errors will result. (For example, mono images appear with the same halftone
information repeated on all four colour plates).
KNOCKOUT We have experienced issues with files which employ white type on coloured
backgrounds. It appears that the ”knockout“ is sometimes preserved ONLY on the
black channel of the EPS. The result of this being that the screen image is
correct (and therefore composite proofs are also correct), but the cyan, magenta
and yellow inks effectively blot out the white type when printed.
Please ensure that all white type is set to ”knockout“ correctly before generating
an EPS of the file.
WORK AROUND To remove any element of risk associated with ”knockout“
items, create a colour which consists of 1% black. Add this to your colour table/document
colours and apply it to the items which are to print white.
“Nested” Graphics are individual stand-alone graphic files which are elements
of the EPS or PDF which you supply. For example, you may have produced a corporate
logo for a motor dealer using Illustrator that combines type and a photo of
a sports car. This logo is then saved as a graphic for multipurpose use and
in this version is included in the advert you are supplying to pre-press.
It is important to remember that the rules which apply to fonts, colour and
format apply equally to any “nested” graphics of this type.
In the example of the motor dealer logo, the fonts MUST be embedded when the
graphic of the logo is produced. If this is not done then the EPS of the completed
advert WILL NOT have the logo fonts embedded and we will be unable to substitute
them. This will result in the default font, Courier, being used and may have
further display issues resulting from the change in character width.
Colours used in the “nested” graphic must conform to the rules in the section
headed COLOUR FILES. Failure to do so will cause colours to be omitted or reproduce
incorrectly. Note that converting the colours on your document to process CMYK
will not convert Pantone, RGB or spot colours used in “nested” graphics. This
applies to text, and pictures contained within the “nested” graphic.
Please note that any Photoshop graphics which are “nested” or form part of
“nested” graphics must conform to the rules given in the section headed PHOTOSHOP
GRAPHICS. This is especially true of the encoding as this is NOT overridden
by the final document being saved as an EPS or PDF. Our page creation system
is unable to process JPEG files and even an EPS saved with JPEG encoding will
be omitted when output to press. This occurs even when JPEG encoding is used
on a “nested” graphic within supplied artwork.
| EMAIL (MICROSOFT WORD AND OTHER PC APPLICATIONS) |
If you wish to send in artwork or copy via email please follow these guidelines.
1. Always send the email to your company representative for processing. They
will then forward this to Pre-Press. Please do not send direct to Pre-Press.
2. We can only accept PDF or EPS* (with fonts embedded) as full artwork. With
the exception of Publisher, there is no way to convert any other Microsoft application
format. Files from those applications will be re-set as close as possible to
the original.
3. If you wish to send Word (.doc), PowerPoint (.pp) etc, please attach any
pictures or graphics/logos used in the document as separate attachments as well.
4. If you wish to send Publisher documents (.pub), please “Save As...” PostScript.
Ensure that you have checked the document for any font licensing issues. (Please
refer to the final paragraph of the section headed FONTS).
5. Please send all files/information within one email.
6. Please remember we can only use fonts for which we hold a licence. We may
not be able to match fonts but will try to replace with close or suitable alternatives.
7. Please check that pictures, logos and graphics are of print quality.
If you are unsure of your software compatibility, please contact this office
for advice.
* Or PS (PostScript) file in the case of Miscrosft Publisher.
Screen Angles: Cyan: 75° Magenta: 45° Yellow: 90° Black:
15°
When producing separations the following should be noted: all presses are COLD
WEB OFFSET
Screen Ruling: 100 lines per inch (40 lines per centimetre) with round
dot
Ink Coverage: The total coverage in any given area must not exceed
260%
Dot gain: Allow for 35% plus or minus 5% dot gain at 50% tint and 20%
plus or minus 3% dot gain at 75%
Target Densities: Cyan: - 0.9 Magenta: - 0.9 Yellow: - 0.8 Black: -
1.2 Measured with a polarised T densitometer Dot Size: For newsprint from 45gsm
to 55gsm highlight Cyan 2%, Magenta 1%, Yellow 1%, dropping out on catchlights
completely.
Shadow: 85% maximum
In-House Setting - Copy can be set in house for all adverts but the
quality of any original materials for scanning must be good.
|
ALL NEWSPAPER TITLES
Depth:- All titles are booked in centimetre depths.
- A full page tabloid depth is 350mm
- A half page tabloid is 170mm
Width:- All tabloid papers are 9 columns wide.
- 1 col = 27.5mm
- 2 col = 57mm
- 3 col = 87mm
- 4 col = 116mm
- 5 col = 146mm
- 6 col = 175mm
- 7 col = 205mm
- 8 col = 235mm
- 9 col = 265mm
DPS on tabloid 557mm (Including gutter)
All DPS adverts that run on the front page must allow for the heading
space, this can be agreed with your advertising representative.
|
LIMITED EDITION
Depth:- All titles are booked in centimetre depths.
- A full page advert depth is 270mm
- A half page portrait depth is 130mm
Width:-
- 1 col = 44mm
- 2 col = 91.5mm
- 3 col = 139mm
- 4 col = 187mm
Trim & Bleed Sizes:-
Full Page =
- 210mm x 297mm TRIM
- 220mm x 327mm BLEED
|
If artwork is sent the wrong size, where possible the production department
will proportionately reduce/enlarge to the width or depth required. The production
department will not anamorphic any advertisement.
|
PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT CONTACTS
|
Neil Peters : Production Manager
01923 245302
npeters@london.newsquest.co.uk
Linda Norris
01923 216363
lnorris@london.newsquest.co.uk
Nigel Spiers: Production IT Developer
nspiers@london.newsquest.co.uk
