Recommended Software Programs

 

The most common programs recommended are Adobe Acrobat, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop. 

 

  • Files can be created in other programs as long as you can adjust the same options required for the product you want to use. 

  • Not all programs have the capability to add bleed and crop marks, popular programs such as Procreate cannot so it is not recommended for anything needing full-bleed/borderless printing. 

  • Canva & Adobe Express are a popular programs which are very easy to use and can create custom page sizes, and add crop marks and bleed.

 

Each product will have more detailed information about file setup on its own product page. Many products also offer a detailed setup guide. To be successful with our products you need a baseline of knowledge, if you are new or need a refresher the school offers access to LinkedIn Learning online training. We do not teach software but we do offer 10 Minute Consultations where we can offer suggestions for file setup, editing and exporting as well as help troubleshoot specific issues relating to printing with the Service Bureau. Please email us if you have any questions.

 

 

Adobe InDesign in 20 Minutes – LinkedIn Learning

Adobe Illustrator Essential Training – Working with Artboards – LinkedIn Learning

Adobe Photoshop Essential Training – Digital Image Essentials – LinkedIn Learning

Risograph Color Separations: Spectrolite App How To – Spectrolite website

Risograph Tutorial | Splitting channels in Photoshop – Youtube

 

 

Laser Printing

  • No Bleed Designs can be made in almost any program but Adobe Illustrator or Adobe InDesign are recommended. It’s best to set up the exact size you want the file to be printed (printer cannot print to the edge of the page). If the page size is not set to the desired final page size you can select ‘Fit To Print’ when selecting the media to enlarge or shrink the design during printing. 
  • Full-Bleed Designs – Adobe InDesign (recommended) or Illustrator must be used: File must have crop marks and bleed area if full-bleed/borderless is desired.

 

Cards

  • Adobe InDesign (recommended), Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, or any program can be used as long as you can set a custom page size (final card size for no-bleed cards, bleed size for full bleed cards – see card page for more details)

 

Saddle Stitch Books

  • No Bleed Books – Can be made in almost any software – 1st page needs to be the cover and last page will be the back cover (page count must be a multiple of 4). If the page size is not set to the desired final page size you can select ‘Fit To Print’ when selecting the media to enlarge or shrink the design during printing. 
  • Full-Bleed Books – Adobe InDesign must be used: full bleed books must be in the imposed format (2 pages up per page of pdf) with crop mark and bleed area. Adobe Illustrator can be used if you manually impose your file but it is not recommended because InDesign is able to do it automatically through the Print Booklet saving process.

 

Spiral/Wire Bound Books

  • Adobe InDesign (recommended) or Adobe Illustrator: All files need to have both crop and bleed area, these are used during cutting and binding to align your book body with the book cover. Other programs might work as well as long as you can make a custom page size and add bleed area and crop marks. The cover needs to be a custom page size to include the spine area.

 

Perfect Bound Books

  • Adobe InDesign (recommended) or Adobe Illustrator: All files need to have both crop and bleed area, these are used during cutting and binding to align your book body with the book cover. Other programs might work as well as long as you can make a custom page size and add bleed area and crop marks. The cover needs to be a custom page size to include the spine area.

 

Wide Format Inkjet/Latex Printing

  • Adobe Photoshop or similar: Digital file must be at the exact size of desired final print – you must set resolution and image size. Any borders need to be added to the file as white space. The recommended color profile is Adobe RGB (1998). 

 

Cut Vinyl

  • Adobe Illustrator must be used: Artboard is used to set vinyl size. Text must be outlined and United so it can be cut by our cutter.

 

Risograph Printing

  • Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, & Spectrolite (recommended). Risograph orders need BOTH a composite file (full color so we know how to align colors) and a B&W print files for each color used. If starting from scratch we recommend to build your files with each ink color on a different layer. If starting from a full color image you will need to use either Photoshop or Spectrolite to separate out each color desired for printing. 
  • Risograph Tutorial | Splitting channels in Photoshop – Youtube
  • Spectrolite App How To – Spectrolite website