FAQ's

Submitting Files

---

Q: What kind of files do you accept?
A: Jpegs or flattened uncompressed tiff with no additional channels or paths. Files should be 8-bit RGB color. Use sRGB as color space. If you submitt PSD, layered TIF, BMP, EPS, PDF, GIF, PCT or PPT files, you will incurr additional charges for conversion.

Q: Do I need to resize my digital camera files?
A: For standard print orders, it is not necessary to resize your images. If your prints are over 11x14, you can resize your file to the finished size at 200 PPI and on prints larger than 20x24 use 100 PPI. If you are ordering Gallery Proof Books, please size your images down to 1000 pixels on the long side

Q: Do I need to crop my files?
A: Yes. Uncropped files will be centered and printed. If you want prints of different proportions, crop for the larger and the smaller proportion will be cropped in equally from the short side same as is the case with carded negatives. You can also use PCL West ROES if you want to avoid all that time in Photoshop.

Color

Q: I adjusted the color on my files, why are my prints coming back with such bad color?
A: Is your monitor calibrated? Have you compared it to our reference print? We would prefer that you NOT ADJUST your files in Photoshop. Retouch all you like, but when you adjust the levels, curves and color balance, you can destroy the file making it impossible to get a good print.

Q: Does PCL use Photoshop to color correct files?
A: Photoshop is a great creative tool, but for production, we use Kodak software. Image files are not manipulated, but a thumbnail of each image is viewed and a color correction is made and stored in the database. Whenever that image is printed, the software applies the stored correction when it sends it to the printer. It is at this time that the printer profile is applied so it is not necessary for the photographer to apply profiles to their image file.

Q: Since Adobe RGB is a larger color space, wouldn't it be better to use that instead of sRGB?
A: sRGB is a color space that is closer to the gamut of photographic paper. By using sRGB we won't have to shove the color around to fit inside the smaller gamut. There is an excellent article, "Painless Color Management", on ShootSmarter.com.

Q: How can I get better results with my digital camera?
A: There are two things you have to remember with digital cameras. The first is the fact that shooting digital is like shooting slide film; your exposure has to be right on. Over-expose by more than 3/10 of a spot and you're going to blow out your highlights. Under-expose by more than 5/10 and you'll never see the details in your shadows, so break out that light meter and make sure it's calibrated properly. The second factor is Color Balance. Videographers have been doing it for years, setting a white balance everytime they change lighting conditions. Sure, you have an auto white balance, but if you want better results, learn how to use the custom white balance.
Other factors to consider are your lighting ratio, consistent color tempurature of your light source, quality of your lights and the light to subject distance.

Guidelines

In order to provide you with the best service possible, we ask that you follow the guidelines listed below. Not following these rules, may incur additional charges and a delay in the completion of your order.

1. Always fill out your job bag completely. Please be specific when sending special instructions with your order. Give as much detail as possible
2. If you are submitting a large volume of digital images always include a Run List.
3. Your Run List should be in the same order as your files appear. Names should match EXACTLY.
4. Submit only those files that need to be printed.
5. If you are a MAC user, burn CD's in ISO 9660 format.
6. When submitting B&W files, specify if you want them printed as a B&W or Sepia.
7. Always backup your media and never send your originals.