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How To Format Your Files

_{Size and Dimensions}

• Open the file in Photoshop, click on "Image" in the top menu bar and select "Image Size..."
• A new window will open showing the height and width of the image
• Next to those dimensions will be the type of measurement being used, typically this is set to either pixels or inches
• If the dimensions are in pixels, change it to inches
• Ensure those dimensions are correct for how large you want the file printed
• In addition, ensure the "Resolution" is set to at least 300 (but no more than 600) for the best quality print

_{Color Profile}

• For the most accurate color reproduction, it is important to set what is called a color profile in your image(s)
• Color profiles enable the printer to match what you see on your screen as close as possible
• For Photoshop, you'll want to use the "sRGB IEC61966-2.1" profile
  • For new images, you can select the profile from the New Document screen
  • For existing images, or to simply check, click on "Edit > Assign Profile..." and then view or choose from the list
• For Illustrator, you'll want to use the "sRGB IEC61966-2.1" profile as well
  • For new images, in the new document screen, select "RGB Color" for the Color Mode, and it should default to the correct one
  • For existing images, or to simply check, click on "Edit > Assign Profile..." and then view or choose from the list
• To learn more about color profiles and how they work check out these videos
  • Photoshop - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Azb17GbZpxY
  • Illustrator - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_17sMJp2tzY

_{File Formats}

• The printing software the school uses is very particular to what types of files it can print
• Currently the only supported formats are JPG (JPEG), TIFF, and PDF
  • You can read about different types of image formats at https://99designs.com/blog/tips/image-file-types/
• You should only submit flattened, or layer-less, versions of these files as well (jpg's are automatically flat)
• To flatten a file, open it in Photoshop and go to "File" and choose "Save As..."
• Choose the file type you want to save the image as, but also uncheck the "Layers" box
• Name and save it to create a flattened file
• Flat files ensure all elements in your file, such as special fonts, will be included in the print

_{File Naming}

• It is imperative you include your name in the file before submitting it to Media Services
• Large format prints are manually charged to your Papercut account, and we won't print a file if we can't charge an account
  • For instance, if you submit a file called "Image001.pdf", we can't determine who submitted that file, and it won't be printed
  • However, if you submit a file called "Barnaby Jones Project 1.pdf", we know who to charge and will print that as soon as possible
• If you have multiple prints, you can save time by simply putting all of them in one folder with your name, instead of naming each one, and then submitting that