Vector Artwork Files
* Programs accepted are Mac Illustrator CS3, PC Illustrator CS2 and Corel Draw 13.

* Formats accepted are ai, eps and cdr.

* Vector artwork files must be written in the Postscript(tm) language. Files can contain no Postscript(tm) errors, stray points or colors assigned to elements.

* Any type set on paths must be converted to Postscript(tm) outlines (curves).

* Any line thickness must exceed .7 points for hotstamp and .5 point for padprint/screenprint when the artwork is scaled to the actual imprint size. Files with any placed, parsed or linked elements require certain additional criteria described in the standard for metafiles.

* The artwork file(s) should be accompanied by a printed proof, or its electronic equivalent, communicating the desired result of the use of the e-artwork file(s).

Bitmap Artwork Files
* Programs accepted are Photoshop CS2.

* Formats accepted are bmp, eps, psd and tif. High resolution files in gif and jpeg .

* Bitmap files should render images at 100 percent of actual imprint size.

* Illustrations or ad layouts containing any line art elements or areas of solid color should have a bitmap resolution (pixels-per-inch) of no less than 300 dpi.

* Continuous tone images (such as photos) which contain halftones, tints, grayscales, or are intended for process color separation should have a bitmap resolution (pixels-per-inch) which is a multiple of no less than 150-200 percent of the line screen frequency specified by the printing process.

* The color space of images submitted for process color separation must be in CMYK.

* The artwork file(s) should be accompanied by a printed proof, or its electronic equivalent, communicating the desired result of the use of the e-artwork file(s).

Page Layout Documents
* Programs accepted are InDesign CS2 (preferred) and QuarkXpress 6.

* Page layout documents must be prepared to render the artwork and/or other elements to be printed at a scale of 100 percent of the actual imprint size.

* In addition to submitting the page layout document(s), there must also be the submission of all vector and/or bitmap files referenced by the page layout document.

* The font files and document preferences necessary to properly render any text in the page layout file must also be supplied.

* The page layout file(s) should be accompanied by a printed proof, or its electronic equivalent, communicating to the supplier the desired result of the use of the page layout file(s).

Metafile Artwork Files
* Any metafiles that make reference to externally linked or imported images must be submitted together with those separate elements.

* All vector elements in the metafile must comply with the quality standard for vector files. All bitmap elements must comply with the quality standard for bitmap files.

* The artwork components in the metafile should be submitted at 100 percent of the actual imprint size. When rendered at 100 percent scale, the bitmap elements in the metafile must comply with quality standard for bitmap files.

* The artwork file(s) must be accompanied by a printed proof, or its electronic equivalent, communicating the desired result of the use of the e-artwork file(s).

Acrobat (PDF) Files
* PDF files created from vector files must be suitable for reverse-conversion to vector files or for use in the PDF format such that the file meets the quality standard for vector files.

* PDF files created from bitmap files must be suitable for reverse-conversion to bitmap files or for use in the PDF format such that the file meets the quality standard for bitmap files.

* PDF files created from metafiles or page layout documents should be submitted together with the source document, all fonts and imported graphic components.

* PDF files are acceptable as proofs (both for submission of the order and pre-production examination by the distributor) subject to the limitations of the Adobe PDF file format.

Mechanical Artwork
* The traditional standard for acceptable mechanical artwork is camera-ready black and white material. Typically, anything of a lesser quality may be subject to extra charges.

Other Than Above
* Unless digital files satisfy the readiness standards for vector files, bitmap files, metafiles, page layout files or PDF files those digital files DO NOT meet the readiness standards for e-artwork.