DIGITAL GUIDELINES

American Bungalow is produced on Apple Macintoshes using QuarkXpress 4.11.
All submitted files must be in digital format. Supplier of advertising must take total responsibility
for checking the quality and integrity of their files before submission.

  • PDF - Preferred file format-from Adobe Acrobat
    PRESS-OPTIMIZED/PRESS QUALITY PDF files using Adobe Acrobat Distiller 4.0 and your postscript file. With Adobe Acrobat Distiller 6.0 use the PDF/x-1a:2001 preset. To create a pdf from Indesign, please download this guideline.

  • QUARKXPRESS 4.11 - 6.0 - Native files, all fonts and images collected. Or a PDF file, see above. Please collect all support files and fonts. We recommend using Preflight or Flightcheck software to troubleshoot your files and completely collect them for output. Only use process cmyk colors and and be very specific if in naming new colors, do not give generic names like New Color. Check Usage under Utilities menu to check your fonts and pictures used. Do not rename font suitcases and make sure suitcases have all the screen versions used and the printer versions to accompany them. Do not style your fonts using the font styling attribute box, use only the exact print versions you own. Truetype fonts are accepted, but are not as stable as postscript fonts.

  • ILLUSTRATOR OR FREEHAND - Save your file as a cmyk EPS file. Please make certain your fonts are outlined and images embedded, and save your file as an EPS file.
  • INDESIGN - Collect all images and fonts, or send a PDF made per our guidelines, see PDF, above.

    WE DO NOT ACCEPT: Word, Powerpoint, Corel Draw, film, Pagemaker files, PDF files not made using Acrobat.Questions regarding your ad: setje@ambungalow.com

Helpful Tips

  • Scanned Images
    Must be 300 dpi and in CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black). If your scan is left at RGB (red, green, blue) -- a format used mostly for web display -- your image will print, but with an unattractive greenish cast. BW line art that is scanned should be of a very high resolution, as high as most scanners will scan (1200 dpi) to get the best quality scan. Any BW images that show levels of gray tones should be scanned in grayscale mode; 300 dpi is fine.

  • Choosing Color
    Since all monitors and inkjet printers are not precisely color calibrated, your desktop color proof will most likely not be as precise as a digital proof from a service bureau or the matchprint from the final film. When choosing spot or process colors in your layout, refer to the Pantone Color books (see your local art store or see pantone.com) that depict color chips on paper and give the most accurate description of how your colors will look printed. All colors chosen must be set to be separate as process colors (CMYK), with no spot color left in the files.

  • Use of Black in Layout Programs
    Be careful when mixing black backgrounds. In Photoshop, if you add a four-color black (100% cyan, 100% magenta, 100% yellow, 100% black) to part of your image and later import that image into QuarkXpress or Illustrator, and you use a regular 100% solid black from you layout program, the blacks will not resemble each other when the ad goes to film. You will see the Photoshop black appear much richer than your layout black. This may not be apparent on an inkjet printer, but will appear as a mistake in a digital matchprint and in print.

  • Digital Transfer Media
    Digital files may be sent on Mac and PC floppy disks, 100 and 250MB zip disks, 1 M jaz disks and on CD. Small files can be emailed, they need to be under 3M, and can be compressed using the Mac Stuffitt program or the PC compression .zip. However, all e-mailed files must have the correct BW or color proof sent in to check accuracy along with the Ad Checklist.

    • General Policies
    Digital Ad Checklists must be submitted with each digital ad file. Without a checklist, American Bungalow will not be held responsible for any discrepancies that may occur.

    American Bungalow cannot be responsible for any ommisions or copy errors in submitted digital ads. It is advisable to proof carefully before submitting your ad.

    Media will be returned if a prepaid shipping envelope, with return address clearly indicated, is supplied. Media will be returne after the issue is published.

    Digital ads and film will be held for 12 months, then purged from the database unless advised otherwise in writing by the advertiser.