Electronic File Requirements

ALL JOBS SUPPLIED will be output as is, unless adjustments (type corrections, resizing, etc.) are requested by customer in advance. Adjustments are charged at an hourly rate, half hour minimum. See your quote or contact sales for rate info. Please note that some PC disks and files, and jobs not meeting our requirements or using our templates, take longer for us to check and are therefore assessed a minimum half hour art charge.

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Crystal Clear accepts the following PC/Macintosh-compatible material:

• CD-R, DVD-R
• Iomega ZIP (100 MB and 250 MB)
• FTP upload, go to www.crystalclearartwork.com for instructions.

Our supported design programs (for Mac and PC) are:
• QuarkXPress (through version 8)
• Illustrator (through version CS4)
• InDesign (through version CS4)
• Adobe Creative Suite CS4

We accept Photoshop files for your scans/images, but do note that layouts in Photoshop can sometime cause your text to appear somewhat jagged. So simply be sure to double check all text designed in Photoshop.. Resolution should be CMYK and at least 300dpi.  Jpegs should be converted to TIFF files. It also limits our ability to make corrections and/or edit your document if an error is found.

Along with your files, please provide:
• Directory of files on disk, indicating which are to be output.
• Any special instructions necessary, i.e. corrections required, folding mock-up, etc.


General Requirements
• Use Crystal Clear Media Group templates.
• All sides of the document (excluding CD Label art)must have 1/8” bleed.
• Keep all type within 1/8" safety/live area.
• Define all colors as CMYK(excluding CD Label art). If you base the colors of your design by PANTONE (or other spot) colors, please make sure to convert the colors into Process Separation (excluding CD Label art).
• Check that documents are correct size, with crop and fold marks.

Supplied Scans
• Use correct file format: All picture files should be saved as either TIFF or EPS. No GIF, JPEG, or BMP formats.
• Save as CMYK, grayscale, or bitmap color mode. No RGB, index color, etc.
• Make sure resolution at size is okay. 300 dpi (dots per inch) for color/grayscale; 1200 dpi for bitmap.
• There should be no extra channels, layers, or paths unless necessary.

Linked Files
• Provide all high resolution scans/images and logo (EPS) files that are placed in your layout.
• Make sure all linked files are editable.
• Include any fonts used in your EPS files.
• Include any scans used in your placed EPS files. For example, you placed a scan into a FreeHand file, saved that FreeHand file as an EPS, and then placed that EPS into Quark.

Font Information
• Copy of all TrueType and PostScript fonts (plain, bold, italic, etc.) used within the document. PostScript fonts have a printer file and a screen font file. TrueType fonts have only one file.

On-Disc Print (CD label art)
• Use the Pantone Solid Coated Formula Guide (PMS coated colors) only, unless specifically designing a CMYK (Full color) disc.
• CD label art must be correct size, with no bleed. Please account for stacking ring and center hole, which will knock out of artwork.
• Recommended minimum type size is 6 point. Minimum reverse type size is 6 point bold.