From the moment files arrive until your job is on press, rest assured our pre-press team has you covered. J.S. McCarthy employs the latest pre-press technology to make sure your job is picture-perfect every time.
J.S. McCarthy accepts files in several different ways for your convenience.
We encourage customers to use a PDF workflow for submitting files.
Preflighting can help avoid many of the pre-press related issues that could delay your job.
ICC profiles are used for many aspects of the production process.
Our experienced prepress professionals are available to help you find solutions.
Ready to send files to J.S. McCarthy, review proofs, or provide additional information for your project? We accept files through our online system, always keeping security top of mind.
Connect directly with our Remote Proofing server through a web browser with the Secure Link Uploader.
Click on the name of your Customer Service Representative from the list below. A new window will open with an Upload Files button, which will launch the upload in a separate window.
J.S. McCarthy encourages customers to use a PDF workflow for submitting files. PDFs are faster, safer and they save you money. If you need help setting up a PDF Workflow check out our resources or contact our technical support team for more information.
Adobe makes it very easy to create PDFs from InDesign. With Creative Cloud, Adobe Publishing programs all share settings, so you may directly export press-ready PDFs from any program in the Suite. Follow the instructions below for the program you are using. J.S. McCarthy prefers to work with Distiller PDF X4 files whenever possible. To get the best results on your print job, download and install the settings linked below. If you have any questions about preparing press-ready PDFs, feel free to contact JSM technical support.
This guide contains full workflow information for creating, checking, and sending PDFs from Adobe InDesign.
Download Instructions in PDF format
Download JSM PDF X4 Settings for InDesign
The Page Exporter Utility is a small script that can help InDesign export single-page PDFs, which can make it easier to handle revisions and automatic processing.
Download Page Exporter Utility
To install, open InDesign, then open the script palette from the Window menu. Right-click or control-click on the user folder and choose "Reveal in Finder (or File Browser)". This will open the Scripts folder in a new window on your machine. Decompress the Page Exporter Utility and copy into the scripts panel folder.
This guide contains full workflow information for creating PDFs from Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. These versions of Adobe can save clean, press-ready files with the standard JSM PDF X4 setting.
Download Instructions in PDF format
Download JSM PDF X4Settings for Illustrator or Photoshop
J.S. McCarthy strongly encourages all customers to use the Preflight and Package functions in their design programs when preparing files for submission. Preflighting (or checking your files for problems) can help to avoid many of the pre-press related issues that could delay your job.
These settings may be installed in Acrobat 9 and later. There are settings for jobs that print as CMYK only, Spot colors only, or Both CMYK + Spot. Installation instructions in the file.
Download Acrobat Preflight Settings
These settings work with InDesign. There are settings for jobs that print as CMYK only, Spot colors only, Both CMYK + Spot colors, or Grayscale only. Installation instructions are included in the file.
Download InDesign Preflight Settings
The Package or Collect for Output function will gather all the necessary links and fonts used in your file and save them in a folder that you can then send to us for printing.
ICC profiles are used for many aspects of the production process. For the best final printed results, you should use these settings when scanning and converting your images to CMYK. J.S. McCarthy supports the industry-standard GRACoL color settings, and our presses and proofers are calibrated using the G7 methodology. We are a certified G7 Master Printer and keep our equipment within official G7 specifications.
For links and more information about the GRACol printing standards, refer to the GRACol website. For those customers interested in doing their own scanning, digital photography, and proofing, JSM offers monitor profiling services as well as on-site production assistance. Depending on the equipment used, the combination of a calibrated monitor and the use of these color profiles in Photoshop can make for a very close on-screen soft proof.
This PDF contains information on installing color profiles and screen-shots of the color settings we recommend for use in Photoshop.
Download Instructions for Mac/PC in PDF format
J.S. McCarthy (JSM) prides itself on the highest quality printed material in the industry that is produced using the latest technology and equipment. JSM can accept a range of different print file types; however, we suggest following this guideline while setting up files:
Vector files in AI, PDF formats are recommended for reproduction. For best results, submit files as final size. You can package files in Illustrator to include all fonts and images. Embedded raster images should be in CMYK color mode with a minimum of 300 DPI at final size. It is acceptable to convert all fonts to outlines, but please supply a separate version of the file with fonts included.
Prepare a PDF file made to the industry standard PDFx4 specifications for print in CMYK mode with embedded images at resolutions of 300 DPI or higher and embed all fonts. To get the best results, download and instal the settings in our PDF preparation section.
Package or include all images and fonts.
Fonts and graphic images should be embedded in .pdf files. Please include or package font files and images separately if submitting native files. It is acceptable to convert all fonts to outlines for packaging projects only, but please supply a separate version of the file with fonts included.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Postscript Type 1 fonts are no longer supported by Adobe products.
Minimum font size: 4pt Regular, 6pt Knock Out.
You will want to make a final check of your art after prepress changes have been made. JSM provides digital proofs for every project for your approval via a link provided by our team. Onscreen proofs, soft proofs or proofs viewed on a monitor may vary unless color calibration is applied. Hard copy proofs are available by request and will be delivered for approval. If color must be absolutely precise, we encourage you to schedule a press check to approve color and print quality as production begins. Ink drawdowns are also available upon request.
Customers may upload their files to our Secure Link Uploader. Please choose the corresponding Customer Service Rep for your account. The uploader will automatically notify your CSR when the upload is complete.
To maintain high quality printing standards and to ensure prompt turnaround, files should be prepared to certain specifications. Below are some helpful hints to minimize delays.
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