File Upload/File Download

Using the Carter Printing FTP site to transfer your job is a simple process. Please call our Prepress team first to receive a username and password (804-359-9206 and ask for Graphics Prepress). Once you receive this information, log on to our FTP server at http://www.ftp.carterprinting.com. Using this address, that is, clicking on the link, will take you to Carter’s own FTP page where you can log-in using your assigned username and password. You must have JAVA installed in order for the page to work.

If you wish to use your own FTP client software, please do so.

The address for using your ftp client software is: ftp.carterprinting.com. Use passive setting with port 21. You should be good to go! (Note: You still need a user name and password)

It seems that newer versions of browsers are not setup as default to be used for FTP, as this may be a security concern from the browser provider. We encourage you use our FTP method mentioned above or use your own FTP client program. Thank you.

If you have difficulty with this procedure, or need further assistance to transfer your files, call and ask for our Graphics Technical Support person at Carter Printing: (804) 359-9206. You can also Email Technical Support for further assistance.

Preparation of Electronic Files for Carter Printing:

Your job has been estimated using our imposition software to create fully stripped, plate ready files. This process will offer you better registration in a more cost effective manner. This pricing has been included in your estimate, but for it to work efficiently, the following procedures need to be adopted.

SIZE:

Your job should be set up at the correct size.
Please, DO NOT set up your own crop marks within a page.
If your job has folds, be sure you set up each panel to the correct folding size so that it will fold down properly.

BLEEDS:

Be certain to set up bleeds before sending us your disk.
Please, DO NOT take artwork to the trim line. Bleed at least 1/8 inch beyond crop.

PROOFS:

Send laser proofs in with ALL jobs, at 100% when possible. If the job is more than one color, send color-broken lasers with files. This will show correct color breaks and eliminate the process/spot color questions we encounter. If using an FTP (ours or yours), Carter Printing will produce laser proofs for you at a nominal charge.

FONTS:

Send all printer and screen fonts used in the documents.
Please, DO NOT send your complete library of fonts.
Please, DO NOT “Stylize ” a font in a palette. Stylized fonts create problems when ripped.

FILES:

Send only files needed for the particular job. Include all elements of your job, even if you have embedded the art.
Please, DO NOT nest folders. This can incur additional cost due to the time it takes to link your job.
Please, DO NOT rename your art or use the same name for two elements.
Please, DO NOT send any additional material on your disk, only what is needed to produce the particular job. Reader or printer spreads will work but they have to set up as individual pages, not two pages within one page.

COMPRESSION:

We must be informed up front of any LZW compressed TIFFS or JPEG EPS files. These will be changed (which incurs a charge to the customer) before a job outputs correctly. If memory is not an issue, this should to be done by the customer. Failure to do this can create a large amount of chargeable file preparation time by Carter.

FAKING COLOR:

Coloring TIFFS within Quark to produce specific color or duotone like effects is not Postscript compliant. This needs to be done within the PHOTOSHOP program.

SCANS:

If scanning your own images, be sure they are scanned at the correct DPI or resolution at least 1.5 times the line screen, yet prefer 2 times. An example would be if your file is printing in 175 line screen, the DPI (or resolution) will be 350. The desired quality output for D Max is @ 320%.

RGBs:

RGBs must be converted to CMYK in our environment. If your color is from an RGB scan and you do not have the Photoshop software, 6.0 or greater, then an additional charge will incur for Carter to do this. 

Up Charges may result from using Microsoft Word & Publisher files as these programs present problems such as spot colors not translating and more. Spot colors do not translate in these programs.

Please call our Graphics Department at 804-359-9206 for assistance. Alternatively, you can Email Technical Support. Proper preparation of your files will always reduce any alteration charges.