Tips & Advice on supplying High Res files

Photography

Where photography isn’t provided by the design agency a number of elements need to be considered when sourcing the correct 'High Resolution' files for print.

• Ensure the file is a minimum of 300 dots per inch (dpi) at 100% required size (example: if the image is to appear over the whole cover of an A4 publication the image will need to be a minimum of 210mm x 297mm at 300dpi.
• Please make sure images for print use are not dragged from the internet or from other electronic formats such as Word/PowerPoint documents. This is because they will be small files sizes and low in resolution (72–150dpi) in order to speed up on-screen viewing. And they will almost definately pixelate at the print stage.
• Correct files need to be supplied as one of 3 file types (listed in order of preference):
  – TIFF (filename.tif)
  – JPEG (filename.jpg)
  – EPS (filename.eps).
• Files such as GIF’s (filename.gif) are NOT suitable to use for print, this is a low resolution file usually found on websites.
• As a ‘general rule’ if your file size is less than 1.5 MB the chances are it will not be suitable for print.

Logos

When supplying logos for use in lithographic or digital printing much of the same rules apply as those outlined in 'Photography' above. However, there are a couple of further points to consider:

• You will often find the design agency asking for an ‘Original Artwork file’. This will usually be an EPS file (filename. eps) created with a professional drawing package such as Adobe Illustrator. These files are in Vector format and can be scaled up and down to any size without effecting the visual quality. In some cases (perhaps if a photo appears in the logo) the original file will be a TIFF file; if this is the case the same rules as outlined in ‘Photography’ above will apply.
• Please make sure logos for print use are not dragged from the internet or from other electronic formats such as Word/PowerPoint documents. These will be small files sizes and low in resolution (72–150dpi) in order to speed up on-screen viewing. These files will almost definately pixelate at the print stage.
• Files such as GIF’s (filename.gif) are NOT suitable to use for print. GIFs are low resolution files usually found on websites.
• As a ‘general rule’ if your file size is less than 1.5 MB the chances are it will not be suitable for print.

Illustrations

When supplying illustrations for use in lithographic or digital printing much of the same rules apply as those outlined in 'Photography' above. However, there are a couple of further points to consider:

If you have any questions on the above or other print based queries please do not hesitate to contact:

Richard Robinson: richard@anytimeafter9.com
Tom Bachofner: tom@anytimeafter9.com
Paul Ellis: paul@anytimeafter9.com
Tel: 0161 877 4499

 

Web accessibility

The principles of design listed above apply to both software and web design. Below are more web-specific tips.

Tips for building accessible websites

Labeling and markup

• Provide a text equivalent (ex: <ALT>, <LONGDESC>) for all non-text elements, especially those related to navigation and a NULL value for unimportant graphics (such as divider bars).
• Conform to current web standards: XHTML 1.0, HTML 4.01, CSS 1.0.
• Use cascading style sheets (CSS) to control presentation and layout rather than presentation elements and attributes but organise documents so they can be read without style sheets.
• Identify row and column headers for data tables.
• Use the <LONGDESC> tag to summarise graphs and charts.
• Provide captions or transcripts and descriptions of multimedia used.
• Provide alternate content for scripts, applets, and plug-ins to compensate for the potential loss of information.
• Use the <LANG> attribute for screen readers that support it.

Formatting

• Use relative units in CSS or % instead of cm, pt, or px.
• Use ordered lists or number the lists on your web pages.
• When using tables, do not use structural markups for visual formatting.

Validating

• Validate your work either using a validation and/or correction tool.

Providing alternatives

• Provide ways to skip over navigation links and get to the main content of your web pages.

Linking

• Create logical tab order through links.
• Avoid hyperlinks longer than 10 words.
• Use descriptive links rather than "click here" to insure that links make sense out of context.
• Clearly identify the target of each link.

Displaying

• Provide enough contrast between text and background colour.
• Make sure that tables make sense when read left to right, top to bottom, as this is how screen readers work. Identity row and column headers, and use the <CAPTION> and/or summary attribute and headers to describe the contents.
• Provide a <NOFRAMES> option if using frames and meaningful page titles.
• Use client side rather than server side image maps. And provide redundant text links.
• Avoid blinking, flickering, or moving elements on your web pages.
• Provide closed captions for all audio content that contains useful information or provide transcripts for all audio content.