Overview

Providing your orders to BCT in a digital format is the best way to ensure that both you and your customer are pleased with the result. BCT has made placing your digital order easier than ever. By accessing your online account at bctindy.com, you will have access to a wealth of valuable resources along with easy access to your orderprinting.com account. Once logged in, you will be able to manage your customer accounts, review order histories, and place orders for various BCT products using the online PerfectSend system. Using PerfectSend to place your order has several benefits. By sending your file in a .PS, .EPS, or .PDF format, you will get a PDF plug-in window with a sample of the file being sent. This screen image will serve as your approval that the file being submitted is composed correctly. Along with instantaneous proofing, you will also receive an electronic order discount and faxing order forms and samples for the item(s) will not be required. BCT does accept other print-ready and native application file types, and these guidelines should help to make sure that your files will be usable by BCT.



    Bitmap Files

Bitmaps often are an integral component of a printed piece, whether used alone, or incorporated into your design in a publication or illustration program. Image size and resolution are two of the most crucial attributes involved in getting the results you expect when using bitmaps for high resolution printing. By following a few rules of thumb, great looking results can be accomplished. The raw size of the bitmap should be approximately the same size as the finished size in the design it is being used in. The main consideration that needs to be made when preparing bitmaps for printing is what type of printing will be done from the item.

  • Spot Color Printing
    Line art and Text - 600 dpi, 1 bit, black and white
    When this bitmap type is used in illustration and publication programs, spot colors can be applied so that the item prints in the correct color separation.
  • Full Color Printing
    Full Color Process Printing - CMYK color model, resolution no less than 300 dpi.


    PDF, EPS and PS File Format

The PDF, EPS and PS file formats are the best file types for submission of your electronic orders. When submitting these file types to BCT utilizing the PerfectSend file transfer process, the following benefits will be realized. Order discounts for electronic orders are highest for these file types. When sent to BCT using PerfectSend, an order form and sample will not be required, as these are done through the site.

The PDF and PS file types are the best file type for multiple and two-sided business card orders. Each card can be setup on its own page and then be saved to include all pages so that only one file will need to be transferred through the website.
  • PDF
    BCT can accept files in the PDF file format, but there are specific settings that must be observed for the file to be able to be printed by BCT. There are settings that control fonts being embedded, and how bitmap graphics are to be printed, that must be set correctly in this file type. (Consult your application user manual for details regarding PDF file print settings.) Below are links to software specific guidelines to assist you in generating PDF files.

    Adobe Illustrator | Adobe Pagemaker | Adobe InDesign
  • EPS, PS
    Dependent on the program that was used, there are some basic rules to follow to assure that BCT does not incur any font or graphic conflicts.

    Illustration Applications (ie. Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator, Macromedia Freehand)
    These applications have the ability to convert all fonts in the document to a vector graphic element, thereby eliminating ANY font conflict problems that could occur. Also make sure that any graphics are embedded into the file rather than being linked to the file.

    Desktop Publishing Applications (ie. InDesign, Pagemaker, Quark Xpress)
    Be sure to include all fonts and graphics used in the file. When possible, be sure to embed the fonts and graphics in the EPS or PS file being created. Below are links to software specific guidelines to assist you in generating EPS files.

    Adobe Illustrator | Adobe Pagemaker | Adobe InDesign


    Native Application Files

When submitting native program files, always include the fonts and graphics used in the file to assure that BCT has all files necessary to successfully complete the order.

If submitting files from an illustration program, convert all fonts to vector elements before saving or exporting (see your program's user manual for this function).

  • PC Applications
    Adobe Pagemaker (must send all fonts & graphics); Adobe Illustrator CS; Adobe InDesign CS (must send all fonts & graphics); Corel Draw 12; Quark Xpress 6 (must send all fonts & graphics)
  • MAC Applications
    Adobe Pagemaker (must send all fonts & graphics); Adobe Illustrator CS; Adobe InDesign CS (must send all fonts & graphics); Quark Xpress 6 (must send all fonts & graphics)



    File Colors and the BCT Color Palette

To make the process of submitting files as easy as possible, BCT offers the BCT Color Palette for spot color printing. We have palettes available for most of the native applications noted above. By selecting the BCT ink color that corresponds to the ink the item is to be printed, there is no need for you to "guess" as to which PMS or CMYK color to use for your file. Just select the ink(s) that you want printed.


A Note On Full Color Orders
  • Be sure that all elements in your file are set up using the CMYK color model. This is particularly important in regards to bitmap files being used in the project. Do not submit RGB images for any type of item to be printed spot or process.


    File Page Sizes

For any printed product, the file's page size should be indentical to that of the product ordered. For example, a business card order should have a page dimension of 3.5 x 2 inches, letterhead 8.5 x 11 inches, and a standard #10 envelope is 9.5 x 4.125 inches. Consult the PDF templates for the exact dimensions of other products.

If submitting files from an illustration program, convert all fonts to vector elements before saving or exporting (see your program's user manual for this function).

  • Margins
    Our standard margins for business cards orders is 1/4 inch, letterhead is 1/2 inch, and envelope is 3/8 inch. These margins are just a suggested dimension that BCT has had success using for the products that we typeset and print.
  • Bleeds
    For orders that bleed, an increase of 6 points (1/8 inch) is needed outside of the trim area for the portion that bleeds. (see sample below)



    Summary

BCT would like to encourage the use of your own digital files. It is very important that you follow the guidelines listed above. One way to determine if the file you intend to submit is going to print and color-separate as you intend is to print out the file on your own laser printer, printing both composite and separation prints. If a file is not set up to the guidelines above, but is something that we can change easily, we will, but you will not receive the electronic file discount. Discounting is given to files that are ready to print correctly without any intervention from our prepress staff. If the above guidelines are not followed, your order may be delayed to correct or address the problems with your file.

Please keep in mind that the deadline for file submissions is 4:30 pm. Any order received after this time will not be processed until the following business day. Due to storage limitations, original artwork provided to BCT will be kept for only one week after the order is printed. Your artwork will still be available through the reorder system, but any changes will need to be made by you and then resubmitted.


Below is a checklist to assure that all necessary criteria for submitting a digital file is completed:

File colors: Did I use the BCT Color Palette?
Desktop Publishing files: Have I included all fonts and graphics?
Illustration program files: Have I converted my fonts to a vector graphic element?
Bitmap files: 600 dpi B&W for my line art files? 150 to 300 dpi Grayscale bitmap for screened images? 300 dpi or higher CMYK for full color?
Item Sizes: Have I created a page size that matches the item I am ordering?
Have I faxed a sample of the file to be printed? (For non PDF, EPS, or PS not sent through PerfectSend)

We at BCT want you, our customer, to have a positive experience in submitting electronic files for printing. If you have any questions regarding the information in this flyer or about a file you would like to submit, please call our electronic file administrator for clarification on the information you need.