Client Center : Brand Marketing, Flexography, Lithography, Photography, Prepress Services, Digital Asset Management, Wide format printing : Splash Graphics, Inc.Splash Graphics, Inc.

File Transfer Details

Free online file transfer:

SwissTransfer Smash

Generic FTP site

URL: ftp://files.splash-graphics.com
Username: splashftp
Password: Call us at (630) 230-5777.

Notes: After logging into ftp site, you will see two folders:

Files To SGI (To upload files from your computer.)
Files From SGI (To download files from SGI FTP server.)

Recommended Software:

FileZilla – FileZilla is a free, easy-to-use, full-featured FTP client/server for Windows/Mac.
7 Zip – FREE Unzip and Decrypt Utility for Windows.

Customer Specific FTP site

URL: ftp://files.splash-graphics.com
Username: (Provided by SGI’s CSR)
Password: (Provided by SGI’s CSR)

Troubleshooting:

The common problem that ftp users run into is using a web browser for an FTP client. Do not put “www” or “http://” in front of the host (ftp.www.splash-graphics.com) address.
Certain browsers like Safari (Mac), FireFox and Internet Explorer (v7+) will allow you to log in, but will not allow you to upload files. If you are using a Mac you must use a dedicated FTP client such as FileZilla, Fetch or Transmit. If you are using Windows you can use Windows Explorer, Internet Explorer (v6.x), or a dedicated FTP client like FileZilla, Fetch, Core, WS_FTP, etc.

File Submission

1UP FILE FOR SPLASH TO DO PRE-PRESS

In order to achieve the best possible print quality, you will be supplying the Illustrator® file along with all the links and fonts for each SKU
Adobe® Photoshop® images should NOT be embedded when placing them into Illustrator® files.
- Instead, place them as a link in the file and supply the Photoshop® file separately, to allow us to optimize images for best quality printing
Flexo: Files that are destined for Flexo printing should be supplied as Native files (NOT PDF), PDF’s are not acceptable file format for Flexo because there is a significant amount of prepress required for Minimum dot, hybrid screening in the highlights, contaminant color evaluation etc. All of this work requires a native format.
Offset: Native files is preferred however PDF’s are acceptable
Photoshop® image files should be sized at 300 dpi at the full size that you are planning to use them at.
Do NOT Flatten the layers in Photoshop® files.
If Photoshop images are RGB then Do not convert them to CMYK allow Splash to convert.
- Please note: Colors should not be approved or commented on while viewing on a Computer Monitor. Computer monitors are not accurate representation of how file will print on press. After PDF is approved, we will send you Press accurate hard copy proof which will be accurate to CMYK press condition, PMS colors will be good but not exact on this proof, they will be printed to PANTONE specification.

PRINT READY APPROVED PDF FILE
(SPLASH WILL MAKE LAYOUT AND PLATES OR TIFFS FOR PLATING)

Prep For Flexo or Litho Is Completed
File is Trapped to printer specification
Send Customer approved PDF normalize, PDF X1A or Esko PDF+

PDF Setup Instructions

What is a press-ready PDF? A File of high resolution with all fonts embedded and subsetted, color attributes set in CMYK or spot (PANTONE) color-space. Settings are optimized for high-quality printing.

For detailed instructions please download: Splash PDF Setup Instructions.

For your convenience we have uploaded these settings as a file, please click here to download. Unzip
and upload in to Acrobat Distiller.

PDF file submission vs. Native file submission

For most “Offset” work … submitting a PDF may be fine, however, for Flexo work we strongly recommend a “Open/Native/Raw” files with all images & links at 300DPI at full resolution and fonts that are necessary to the project.

If you wish to summit a Hi-Res PDF then you must prepare the files for plating (which means you understand all the characteristics of the specific press you are printing on) and know where and how to prepare files for things such as min-doting, contaminate color removal and specific trap requirements for the press you are printing. If you are unsure about doing this or don’t know if your file is prepared for plating and would like us to review and edit your file, we will need the “native file with Fonts supplied” rather than a PDF. Again, we can accept a PDF but if your file requires some of the above work, it may only be possible and is more cost effective to do with a Native file.

1-Bit Tiffs Specification

Creating 1-Bit Tiffs for Splash:

Litho Tiff Setup Flexo Tiff Setup

Digital Asset Management

The traditional method of graphic arts workflow has changed drastically as a result of the introduction of digital asset management software. This software now lets authorized users at any location anywhere in the world, work on a project for design, production, management, graphic editing etc. in real time. It is not just an archiving tool but it is the “infrastructure”

Centralized Data Solutions
Final page files distributed to vendors anywhere on earth
Consistency (most updated version at all times)
Flexibility; 24/7 access
Efficiency – quick retrieval
Image files archived for various applications, i.e. offset, flexo, web

Please contact our customer service representative for more information about digital asset management.

Pressroom Support

Remote / Onsight Pressroom support and trouble shooting
Ink / Anilox / Tape Optimization
Plate Surface texturization testing and implementation
Full ICC Calibration
G7 / GMI and any special target calibration
G7 + GMI Certification
Press Condition to Proof Match
Banded Anilox testing
Press side Approval System implementation
Multisite Color Management

Tips

PDF Overprint Settings

How to prepare file for prepress center

General

Trapping: Generally trapping is best left to the prepress house or the printer. There are some exceptions. When designing complex maps it may be more appropriate to trap as the design is taking shape. Please contact us if any questions.
Consider the impact of paper color on your images as you design, so as not to be surprised in the production process.
Don’t forget to run a final spell check.

Colors

The only colors in the file should be the ones you intend on printing. Additionally Names of spot colors should always be PANTONE book names. For ex. “PANTONE 456 C” note the all caps and the spaces.
Spot colors are defined as spot colors and process colors should be defined to separate as 4 color process.
PMS colors are defined identically throughout all imported files.
The proper bleed has been built into the document.

Images

All imported images are the proper resolution for the required press linescreen. i.e. 300 – 400 dpi at full size.
All imported images are an appropriate format for printing, e.g. CMYK vs. RGB, spot vs. process.
All imported images are an appropriate format for printing, e.g. tiff or eps vs. giff or jpeg.
Any low-resolution FPO images have been replaced with their high-resolution counterpart.

Fonts/Typography

Fonts: It is important that we receive the actual fonts that are being used on your system to avoid getting re-flow problems.
There are not fonts in your imported images. Fonts have been rasterized in Photoshop or converted to outlines.
If you supply outlined file no fonts needed, please note we cannot make any text changes.

Prepare file to send Prepress

A “collect” or “package” has been done and all images, fonts and graphics are nice and neat, in a folder to be sent to the vendor.

Art built using transparency must be flattened. We recommend that the artist flatten all elements and carefully review the results before releasing final art. Include the layered, unflattened build-ups on the transfer disk for our use if alterations are required.

Subjects to consider