Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop works mainly with raster files, however the native ".psd" format has recently allowed users to output font and shape data in vector format when printing a Photoshop file. If you use Photoshop to create your working files and intend on using vector data for the fonts and shape layers (to take advantage of shape-defined edges and trappability in the workflow), please be sure to include the fonts with your job.

If your artwork has bleed, the page size in Photoshop working files is handled differently than in other working applications. Where the page in a Quark or InDesign, etc. document is sized to the trim and bleeding objects are extended beyond these edges, the page size in a Photoshop document should equal the trim size plus 1/8" on each side, which makes 1/4" overall on each dimension. This is because Photoshop does not print any data which extends beyond the canvas, so the bleed must be built into the file size. When you set your file up with the bleed margins built in, please make sure your trim is centered within the margins, with an equal amount of extra space on each side. If you do not have bleed, just make the page size equal to the trim size.

Because modifications to Photoshop files in consideration of the printing process are so frequent, it is usually best if you submit your file in the native Photoshop format with layers, channels, etc. in tact.

If your artwork does not require that vector data be sent when printing, you may include a flattened copy for us to output, but please include a layered file in case we have to make changes. This allows us access to the separate parts of your artwork in case something needs to be tweaked.

The resolution and color mode requirements which apply to all raster images also apply to Photoshop working files. See the General Raster section of the Linked Graphics section for information regarding resolution and color mode.