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RGB & CMYK Colour

Images can be reproduced in a number of colour formats, the most common being RGB (red, green and blue) and CMYK (cyan, magneta, yellow and black). However, RGB and CMYK are designed for different applications and are almost completely opposite to each other in the way they use colour in the image.

For example, a CMYK image with the values C=0, M=0, Y=0, K=0 will be white, while an RGB image of R=0. G=0, B=0 will be black.

By mixing red, green and blue light in various quantities it is possible to generate a number of other colours from the range of visible light. The effect is behind the design of the television and computer screen and is suitable for the creation of images to be displayed on screen.

Printed images are composed of the four inks - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black, on white paper. When setting up your ad or page in a desktop publishing or grapghic program, the required colour palate must include CMYK. If you want all objects to appear as expected, work in CMYK and do not use the 'Convert All Colours to CMYK' option offered in some programs. CMYK does not have as broad or bright a spectrum as RGB so dramatic colour change can occur when images sent as RGB are converted for print.

Fonts

There are a limited number of fonts that Sun City Publishing (Sun City News) own, therefore you need to ensure you use a font we have. A list of fonts can be provided for your reference. If you supply an advertisement that uses a font that we do not have, a default font will replace your font.

File Types

Acrobat PDF (.pdf) is the preferred format. It is a universal file format that preserves fonts, images, graphics and layout of any source document regardless of the application and platform, PC or Mac, used to create it. The document must be sent at the correct size and must be print optimised to 200dpi. It must also be PDF Version 1.3 or lower, use CMYK colours and fonts must be embedded.

EPS Files (.eps) These file types try to bridge the gap between different formats so they can be opened by most graphic programs. Both vector files and bitmapped files can be saved as EPS and retain their respective information. All fonts must be converted to outlines and CMYK colour mode must be used.

Adobe Photoshop (.psd, .tif, .jpg) These files are best for photographic images to maintain quality. These files are not vector based and therefore high resolution means large file size. Files are to be the same size as the actual advertisement is to appear, appropriate resolution, 300dpi for greyscale, 300dpi for CMYK, 400dpi for line art, and are best provided on CD. Files can also be saved as an EPS, TIFF or JPG file which reduces the formatting of a PSD file and cuts down on file size.

Supplying Artwork

All artwork must be the correct size as to how it will appear in print and must be CMYK with process seperations. It must be the correct resolution - 300dpi for CMYK and grayscale artwork, 400dpi for line art. Artwork may be supplied on a ZIP disk, floppy disk, CD and electronically and accepted providing it meets the above specifications. Changes will only be made to advertisements if artwork is not supplied as specified and will be charged to the client.

Technical information

Below are some points to remember prior to saving your material as a PDF file:

- All placed elements must be CYMK or Grayscale.

- All placed elements must be a minimum of 200DPI.

- GCR is recommended with a total ink density 230%.

- Black ink limit 80% and allow 30% printing dot gain.

- Full colour white reverse type to be a minimum of 12pt.

- Single colour white reverse type to be a minimum of 7pt.

- All fonts must be embedded (includes base 14).

- Use only Postscript Type 1 fonts.

- True Type fonts are not recommended.

- Screen ruling is 100 lines/inch or 40lines/centimetre.