Ram Offset is up to date with the latest Adobe Creative Cloud software. We will accept your native files from a professional page layout program, such as InDesign or Quark. Additionally, we will accept a high-quality, press-ready PDF with crop marks and bleeds.

Download our PDF press settings here

We discourage receiving Word, Works, Pages, and Publisher files as these are not professional page layout programs. What appears on your screen isn’t going to be what appears on ours. However, if this is the only software you have available, you can submit a high-resolution PDF created by your software.

You may need to make changes to your document after it has been submitted to Ram and you are welcome to provide revised pages for us to replace what was previously submitted. However, please note the following items:

• Provide revisions in the same format you originally submitted your files.
• If you originally submitted a native InDesign file, do not provide a press-ready PDF of an individual page. Instead, inform Ram of the revision and we can do the revisions for you.
• If you have a change on one page, please inform what that exact change is and we will process just that single page. If you do not inform us of the changes, we will assume the entire document was revised; process all of the pages, and generate another set of hard copy proofs. This accrues additional charges that can be avoided if you inform your salesperson or customer service representative of what revisions you made.

When providing native files, please provide the document, all fonts, and all links.

Create your document with the size set as the final dimension of the finished, trimmed piece. When possible, add bleed utilizing the features in the design software rather than oversizing the artwork. 

For perfect bound (or other non-stitched books) you must create your original document as individual pages, not facing. This provides us with bleed in the grind off/spine area.

PDF:
  Include bleed; Include crop marks; Verify fonts are embedded

INDESIGN:
  Make sure document size is the exact size of the finished piece, with bleeds extending 1/8” past page edge.
  Verify all links are up to date. (Window/Links – no yellow or red icons next to the file name)
  “Package for Printer” when completed and the program will put everything into one folder. (File/Package for Printer)

ILLUSTRATOR:
  Make sure artboard sizes are the exact size of the finished piece, with bleeds extending 1/8” past page edge.
  Convert all fonts to outlines, or include fonts.
  Dielines should be on their own layer, specified as a spot color.

PHOTOSHOP:
NOTE: Photoshop is not a good program to do page layout in. The fonts get rasterized, making the edges look jagged, we are unable to trap your art, and black type will print as 4 color. Modify only your images using Photoshop, then place them in a page layout program, such as InDesign or QuarkXPress to set your type.
  Make sure document size is 1/4” bigger than your finished piece to allow 1/8” bleed on all 4 sides.

QUARKXPRESS:
Quark is not as common of a program as it once was. Based on this, we have not had to purchase the latest Quark Software in many years. By providing us with a press-ready pdf, we are still able to produce your piece.
  Make sure document size is the exact size of the finished piece, with bleeds extending 1/8” past page edge.
  Verify all pictures have the status of “OK”. (Utilities/Usage/Pictures)
  Verify that no fonts are missing. (Utilities/Usage/Fonts)
  Perform a “Collect for Output” when completed and the program will put everything into one folder. (File/Collect for Output)

Contact your salesperson or customer service representative if you have any questions or need assistance setting up your file. Time will then be scheduled to have a prepress technician call and walk you through any hurdles you are experiencing.