Submission Checklist - Tips for Quick Approval

Document set up:

• Files are saved in acceptable formats for upload
• All files (layout, graphics, PDF) are named properly
• Layout document is sized correctly for the product
  • If a special die line is used, the document is sized to the die line's outer dimensions
• Layout document is sized to its trim dimensions whenever possible
• Layout and graphics files are in CMYK color mode (not RGB)

Fonts:

• All of the fonts used in your project are:
  • installed in your computer hard drive
  • activated
• All fonts used in documents are true (not artificially formatted by application)
• Ligatures are set consistently throughout the document (ALL on, or ALL off)
  • If ligatures are on, they are checked to make sure the font displays them properly

Graphics:

• The layout file's graphics are:
  • linked (not embedded or copied & pasted into the layout)
  • up to date
• Spot colors, if any, have exactly the same names as in the layout document

Document color settings:

• The Working Space is CMYK ("U.S. Web Coated (SWOP) v2" for InDesign)

Color usage:

• Colors used in documents are 4-color process (CMYK), not RGB
  • Process colors are properly defined and named
  • Spot colors, if any, are properly defined and named
  • Unwanted spot colors are converted to process/CMYK
  • Unused colors are deleted
  • Duplicate colors are merged

Resolution:

• Layout and graphics files have a resolution of 300 dpi

General production:

• Bleed artwork and/or background color(s) are pulled to bleed (i.e., extend at least .125" past the trim edge)
• Important content is within the safety margins (i.e., placed at least .25" before the trim edge)
• All extraneous graphic elements are deleted, including:
  • empty box frames
  • elements on the pasteboard
  • extra guides
• All lines, rules or strokes have a thickness of .6 pt or more (no hairline strokes)
• Text is checked for bad breaks, extra spaces, and not enough space
• Empty pages are deleted if not necessary for the layout
• Layers are checked:
  • Template layer:
    • contains only template elements
    • is set to non-printing or turned off
    • is at the bottom
• Artwork layer:
  • only contains artwork
  • is set to print
  • is at the top
• A color, hard copy proof is printed with a desktop printer and visually checked for errors