Are you using Stock Images Illegally?

Image by: Auroqueiro

Many graphic designers use stock photography for their marketing and design needs. Whether it’s web or print design, licensed stock photography can be used in your designs giving the designer high-quality images and graphic elements that will make the finished project look professional, without having to also be a professional photographer. There are two main categories of stock photography: rights managed and royalty free.

Prisma Graphic Services and Capabilities

 

 

 

 

Prisma Graphic has the following services and capabilities.

Equipment List

Electronic Prepress

• (1) Magnus 800 Platesetter with 5 Autoloader/Cassettes
• (1) Creo Trendsetter Spectrum Platesetter
• (9) Mac Work Stations
• (9) PC Work Stations
• (6) PREPS Imposition Stations
• (2) Prinergy JVX 10.4 Ripping & Trapping Systems
• Prinergy Stochastic Screener
• Prinergy – PDF Workflow
• Kodak – FM Staccato Screening
• Canon Color ImpoProofer Automated
• 2-sided proofer with Color Management
• Canon ImagePrograf Contract Color Proofer with Kodak Color Management
• Epson Inkjet Color 9900 Proofer 44”
•  (2) Sherpa 2-Sided Proofers
• HP DesignJet 5500 Proofer
• Pictoral Proofer (11” x 17” max)
• Multiple CD/DVD Burners
• Rimage Premium CD/DVD PlexWriter (6 Unit) High-Speed
• Eversmart Pro2 Flatbed Scanner (11.5” x 17” original input)
• X RITE PlateScope (Plate Quality/Process Control)
• X RITE Spectrodensitometer (Proofing, Plating, Press Profiling Process Control)
• Eye One Color Calibration System
• Profile Maker Pro (Color Profiling system)
• Complete Up to date Software and Font Library
• All files archived on DAT and DVD
• Mirrored 3T Raid Dell Servers & Gigabit Speed Network
• E. Quix & High Speed Network Server
• FTP Server
• (2) CIP3 Servers
• Kodak ColorTune Proofing Server
• Prinergy 1.6 Remote Proofing Server
• Kodak InSite – Customer Job Interface 

Bindery

• (2) Heidelberg Cylinder Press; Sheet Size: 22 x 30”
• Brausse – 22 1/2 x 29” Die Cut, Emboss and Foil Stamp
• Kluge EHD – 14 x 20” Die Cut, Emboss and Foil Stamp
• Baum Lawson MPU, 47” Paper Cutter (Micro-cut)
• Polar 52” EMC Paper Cutter (Micro-cut)
• (2) Saber^® 54” Cutter w/ Baumann Jogger
• Mueller Martini Saddle Stitcher   10 Stations w/ Cover Feeder & 3-Knife Trimmer
• (2) Mueller Martini Saddle Stitcher   6 Stations /Cover Feeder w/ 3-Knife Trimmer
• Perfect Binder 18”
• Rollem TR, 35” Perforating & Scoring
• Rollem TR, 40” Perforating & Scoring
• MBO B26S Perfection Folder 26 x 40”; 32-Page
• MBO B23 Folder 20 x 26”; 8-Page
• MBO B32 S Perfection Folder 32 x 40”; 8-Page
• Stahl Folder 30 x 40” 16-Page Folder
• Kluge Pocket Folder Gluer w/Final Fold Ability
• Challenge Paper Drill, 5-Hole
• (1) Auto Shrink Wrap Packager
• (3) Semi-Auto Shrink Wrap Packager

Presses (Web, Sheetfed & Digital)

• M-130 Heidelberg 38 inch, 5 Color Heatset Web with Color Control System CCS Loop
• Combo Folder – Sheeter – Pattern Perforator    Maximum Sheet:  22.75 x 38 inches, Maximum Image Area:  22.5 x 37.5 inches
• Color King 36 inch, 2 Color Web Press / Combo Folder  Maximum Sheet:  22.75 x 36 inches, Maximum Image Area:  22.5 x 35.5 inches
• Akiyama 40 inch, 5 Color Perfector with Color Control System CCS Loop Maximum Sheet:  28 x 40 inches,  Maximum Image Area: 27.5 x 39.5 inches
•  (2) Akiyama 40 inch, 6 Color w/ Aqueous Coater,  Maximum Sheet:  28 x 40 inches,   Maximum Image Area:  27.5.  X 39.5 inches
• Mitsubishi 28 inch, 6 Color w/ Aqueous Coater,    Maximum Sheet:  20 x 28 inches,    Maximum Image Area:  19.5 x 27.5 inches
• Ryobi True 2 Color (Best for Registration and Solids),  Maximum Sheet:  12 x 18 inches,  Maximum Image Area: 11.5 x 17.5 inches
• (2) AB Dick 2 Color Replicator,  Maximum Sheet:  12 x 18 inches,  Maximum Image Area: 11.5 x 17.5 inches
• Halm Jet 2C Color Perfector Envelope Press,    Maximum Sheet:  13 x 18 inches, Maximum Image Area: 11 x 17 inches
• HP Indigo 5000 4 Color Press   Maximum Sheet:  12 x 18 inches,  Maximum Image Area: 11.6 x 17.2 inches
• C6500 Digital 4 Color Copier/Press,   Maximum Sheet:  12 x 18 inches,  Maximum Image Area: 11.6 x 17.2 inches

Fulfillment

• Pick and Pack
• Package and Distribution
• On-line Customized Inventory Management
• Cycle Count

 Mailing Services

Our Mailing Department offers a fully integrated service, which
is completely in-house, and configured to suit any requirements.
These services include data acquisition and management, CASS
certification, NCOA service, DPV validation. Prisma can customize
any mailing program to satisfy the needs of our clients.

 Dokshop.com (Web-to-Print Solution)

A unique business-to-business product that enables users to order,
personalize, proof and manage print materials online.  Its parameter-
based programming allows customization with various user options
and controls. Each site can be specifically tailored to fulfill any client’s
needs.

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 Offset Printing Services:

•  Sheetfed: Medium Quantity Print Runs
•  Jprint 5C Perfector Press with Color Control System CCL
• Sheetfed: Large Quantity Print Runs with our new Control System CCL
•  Heatset Web: Large Quantity Print runs with Color
• Open Web: Short and Large Print runs

  Digital Printing:

•  Including Variable Data
•  Indigo Short Quantity Print runs, Up to 12”x18”, Including Variable Data with Inline Finishing
•  Konica Minolta Quantity Print runs, Up to 12”x18″
•  41”X72” Large Format-Short Quantity Print runs

Prepress  

•  State-of-the-Art Computer Hardware,
•  Software & Color Correction & Image Manipulation
•  Hi-res Canon Kodak Proofs
•  HP Ink Jet & Laser Proofs, Sherpa Digital Proofs
•  Prinergy Ripping & Trapping
•  Prinergy –FM Segundo Stochastic Screening
•  Kodak Remote Proofing
•  Kodak-FM Staccato Screening
•  Prinergy PDF Workflow
• SSL Secured FTP Site
• Direct-to-Plate Magnus 800

  Design & Production 

•  Outside agency support
•  Supplement In-house Creative Staff
• Develop Original Concepts 
• Follow Existing Corporate Graphic Standards

 CD/DVD Duplicating

•  Data Duplication 
• Thermal Label Printing

Bindery

• Folding 
• Scoring 
• Perforating 
• Stitching 
• Perfect Bind 
• Die Cutting 
• Embossing 
• Foil Stamping 
• Gluing
• Drilling
• Mounting
• Sequential Numbering

  DOKSHOP: Online e-Commerce Website

• Pre-approved Products
•  Brand consistency
• Static and Dynamic Fields
• Instant Online PDF ApprovalView Order Status and History
• Customizable Shipping

State-of-the-Art Warehouse Facility

• Product Inventory Storage
• Clearly Labeled Product with Scannable Bar Codes

 Fulfillment  

• Computerized Pick & Pac
• Build Kits of Various Configurations Requirements
• Bulk or Custom Packaging to Fit your Unique
• Ship to Single or Multiple Locations

Mailing, Shipping & Receiving

• CASS Certified Mailing Services
• Database Management
• Inserting
• 1st Class, Standard Presort
• Bulk Mail with FedEx Overnight
• 2-day or Ground Shipping
• Common Carrier

 

Contact Prisma Graphic for a quote on all your printing, design and mailing needs.

 

Emerging Markets: Latino Market Grabs Attention

Marketers’ heads are starting to turn toward new big game players. The Latino population’s high growth, changing labor profiles and purchasing power are making a noticeable difference in business demographics. According to the second annual Marketing Executives Networking Group (MENG) survey, Top Marketing Trends for 2009, the multicultural marketing trend was one of the top 20 rated marketing concepts most interesting and relevant to the majority of the marketing executives surveyed.

The U.S. Census Bureau reported that from 1990 to 2000 our Hispanic population increased by 12.9 million people. Moreover, this market accounted for almost one-half of our nation’s growth from 2000 to 2006. At nearly 15.5% of the total current United States population, their impact can be seen nationwide with 29% purchasing power in California, 18% in Texas, 10% in Florida, 8% in New York and 4% in Illinois.

In response to increasing requests from Latino prospects, Prisma Graphic added a team of bilingual sales professionals to meet the demand. As a member of the business community in general, we understand diversity is a necessity – diversity in our product, in our service offerings and in our people.

“Accommodating the needs of the Hispanic market has allowed us to better support the Arizona and US business markets with exceptional print marketing campaigns. We have seen significant growth since we have ‘cultured’ our services,” says Claudia Ochoa, Prisma Sales Representative. “If I were to sum it up, I think our progress is a direct result of continued involvement, dedication and good old-fashioned word of mouth.”

Claudia Ochoa and Ramon Tamayo are two of our bilingual Sales Representatives. Fluent in Spanish and English, they have both worked hard to reach out to the Hispanic community. We have since secured business with clients such as the Arizona-Mexico Commission and Latino Perspectives, a local entertainment and news magazine.

In a country where demographics continue to evolve, technologies develop, and communities expand, one thing is for sure – businesses must change along with them if they expect to remain relevant in the near future.

To find out how Prisma Graphic can help serve your multicultural marketing efforts, call 800 379-5777 and ask to speak to Claudia Ochoa  claudiao@prismagraphic.com .

Top 10 Adobe PDF Golden Rules

When designing documents we at Prisma Graphic, have our top 10 Adobe PDF Golden rules which we are sharing with you.  If you maintain the following guideline, you will ensure trouble-free integration with an automated workflow.

1.   Always set up your document page size to be finished trim size plus 1/16” on all sides for bleed, even in the case of a document that may not contain a bleed.

2.   Select a color PostScript printer driver (PPD) and print your document to a PostScript file. Black and white print drivers will not contain all the necessary color information for the press.

3.     If you are creating a document that will be incorporating variable data, each page should be a separate PDF document. This is required for imposing variable data documents.

4.      Remember to:

a.      Create Acrobat 4.0 (or higher) compliant files.

b.       Exclude any preset security permissions.

c.       Flatten all transparencies.

d.        Always embed your fonts or create outlines.

5.       Do not use PDFWriter. PDFWriter is intended to be used to produce the smallest viewable files possible, and will exclude most of the elements needed for final high resolution output.

6.       If you are using the Acrobat Distiller PPD file, you must use the PrismaGraphic specifications. This will ensure that printing options have been set correctly for imaging within PrismaGraphic’s automated workflow. (see link for profile)

7.      When working on a Windows platform, you may either:

a.        Use the Adobe PPD to generate a PostScript file. The resulting PostScript file can be stored in any folder as “*.ps” or “*.prn”. The file(s) can then be processed using Acrobat Distiller to create the PDF.

b.         You may use the Acrobat Distiller printer to create the PDF in one pass. The latest Adobe drivers are available online at the Adobe Web site (http://www.adobe.com).

8.         When creating any document for Prisma Graphic, make sure that you are working in the CMYK color mode.

9.           When building the color black, use the following settings to ensure a deep rich black:

a.           Cyan = 40%

b.           Magenta = 30%

c.           Yellow = 0%

d.           Black = 100%

10.        When possible, set your general resolution to 2400 dpi (dots per inch).

a.            Color settings in distiller should be:

                  i.         Color images – 300 DPI (dots per inch).

               ii.          Grayscale – 300 DPI (dots per inch).

             iii.             Monochrome images 1200 DPI (dots per inch).

 For more infomation come to our website at Prisma Graphic

 

The Portable Document Format (PDF)

The versatile PDF format has become the de facto standard for file transfer. It is a “device independent” software application, and has a completely open system that can be used on a multitude of output devices and media. For instance, it can be used to convey information onto the Internet, in printed format, on cd-rom, or via e-mail without losing image quality or the layout, style, etc. of the document.

Its strength lies in, as the name suggests, the portability of the document it produces. What this means is that a PDF document can be transferred between systems, i.e. Macintosh® to Windows® PC, PC to printer, without being altered. So what you see on the computer screen is exactly the same as everyone else sees. In this way, it can be sent anywhere for remote proofreading, and this consistency can be conveyed to the final printed piece.

Adobe® Systems is the company that developed the PDF file format, and all PDF files can be opened and viewed using Adobe Acrobat® Reader® – a free download application from Adobe (www.adobe.com). PDF is a direct development of Adobe’s own PostScript® page description language that has been, and continues to be, the print industry’s standard output format. For the most part, PDF file format has gained considerable momentum because it addresses the needs of the overall multimedia market in general.

• Simplified PostScript Code – PDF files reduce the complexities of the graphic constraints found in PostScript files that need to be rasterized by RIP devices.
• Embedded Fonts – The type characters and instructions for kerning and manipulating Type 1 and TrueType® fonts are placed inside the file so the user does not need the font to view, process or edit the document.
• Compressed Graphics – File compression can be dramatic with no loss of quality of the image. Vector graphic files can be reduced to 25 percent of their original size, while bitmap graphics can be reduced by up to 75 percent of their original size. All PDF files are scalable (to 800 percent) and printable on PostScript and non-PostScript printers.
• Forms and Indexing Features – These Enables PDF to serve as a complete Integrated Document Management System.
• Page Independence – Single pages can be sent to the RIP, rather than the whole document, giving significant workflow benefits in the production process.

Prisma Graphic has many tools available on their website to answer your questions, so you do make the right choice

Design Software. Making the Right Choice.

Choosing the wrong design software can be detrimental to a designer’s productivity and general sanity at the workplace. There are hundreds of different applications and add-ons in the form of plug-ins or extensions that can be purchased. Downloadable images and art all come in a variety of color spaces and resolution. Even templates are available online, but are they right? … Where do you start?

1.                 Work in the right software. Generally, graphic design applications can be grouped into three different categories: image creation and manipulation, illustration, and page layout software. Illustrator® is a drawing (vector) program, ideal for logos, packaging, posters and single-page layouts. Photoshop® is a pixel-based (raster) program that lets you size, color correct and manipulate scanned images such as photographs and flat art. Neither is intended for multipage documents. For that, use a page layout program such as Quark® or InDesign®. Microsoft programs such as Publisher® and Word® are not intended for page layout. If you use these programs, it is imperative that you create a PDF/X-1a.

2.                 Build to size. Build your files at actual size unless your final size is too large for your software to accommodate. A printed piece with a final size of 8.5 x 11 should be built to 8.5 x 11 page size. Spreads should be created as two 8.5 x 11 pages, not as a single 17 x 11 form. And always, always, always include bleed around the document. (Minimum of 1/16 inch)

3.                 Are your color and resolution ready for print? Always preflight your file to make sure your images are at correct resolution and consistent color. Many files are supplied or downloaded as RGB, Index, DCS, 300 DPI, or 72 DPI, etc, etc, etc. It is best for you to address these issues and do any conversions while the file is in your possession rather than at proof stage. It’s easy to be misled by some of the “out of gamut” color seen on the monitors.

4.                 Prevent problematic files long before the print stage.

• Banding
  If possible, avoid using vignettes and gradients on large areas. Adding noise will help minimize banding.
• Getting Rich Blacks
  Large areas of solid black benefit from an undercolor (such as 40% cyan) to deepen it – creating a “rich black.”
• Font type, Size & Color
  Knockout type should be larger than 5 pt. and should only knock out of one or two colors. All type 5 pt. or smaller should overprint. Minimum type to knock out of a 4-color image is 8 pt. Minimum size on serif type is 5 pt. and should print in one color only.

Prisma Graphic has many tools available on their website to answer your questions, so you do make the right choice.