PLEASE NOTE: When creating graphics in illustration programs such as Adobe Illustrator with the intention of outputting to an imagesetter or platesetter, it is extremely important that the person creating the illustration have a thorough understanding of the details of imaging in a prepress environment. There are an abundance of complex problems that can occur at output if paths are set up improperly, colors are indicated incorrectly, or other elements are constructed improperly. Trapping issues can also present problems if not addressed. The more complicated your illustration becomes, the greater the probability of problems at output, and therefore the need for more expertise and experience in creating the files.

The following links highlight steps that are commonly skipped. Following these instructions properly will increase your success rate significantly. Saving and Exporting Graphics Creating Outlines Checking Document Info

Saving and Exporting Graphics

1. Place any graphics you need to import. Before placing images in Illustrator, the images should be checked for the following:

• All placed art should be in TIFF or EPS format
• The resolution should be at least 300 dpi
• The color mode of the TIFF/EPS should be either Monochrome (bitmap mode), Grayscale or CMYK. The CMYK mode is used for color figures and Grayscale/Monochrome for black & white.
• Please note: Some journals now require that color be submitted in RGB color mode. To learn more about the RGB workflow click here.
• Crop and size images properly before importing so that masking, scaling or rotating is not necessary while in Illustrator.

Go to the Place... menu (File->Place...) and navigate to the TIFF or EPS file that you wish to place. Use the following options for placing your TIFF or EPS files.

2. Do all editing and assembly.

• Assemble any panels so that each figure consists of only one file.
• Create the figure at 100% of print size so that no scaling is necessary.
• Resize the page so that any unnecessary white space bordering the figure is removed.
• Make sure that any and all imported graphics are in proper color format (Here's how you find out!) RGB files, which will not output correctly, may not be detected until output.

3. Create Outlines (Convert text to paths). This eliminates the requirement of sending CPC fonts. Start by selecting everything in the document (Edit->Select All). It is important to select everything in the document before creating outlines. There may be text out of plain sight in the document. Next create outlines (Type->Create Outlines). There isn't a quality loss when converting text to outlines.

5. Select the options shown below. In the EPS Format box, set the Compatibility to 7.0 and the Preview to 8-bit Macintosh. Under Options mark Include Placed Files (if available*), Include Document Thumbnails, and Include Document Fonts.

* You will only have the option to Include Placed Files if the following are true, A, you have placed images in your document; B, you have placed images and chose to link them instead of embedding them. Please embedded your images in your Illustrator files.

Checking Document Info

1.  In Illustrator choose (File->Document Info). Next choose Objects under the Info drop down menu as shown. Also check info for the Linked Images and Embedded Images sections to ensure that RGB type images are not listed.

2.  Your documents object info should read similar to the box below. You should focus on the RGB Objects and make sure Illustrator lists RGB Objects: NONE.

• When preparing grayscale figures, you would want just Grayscale Objects and NOT CMYK or RGB objects.
• When preparing CMYK figures, you would want just CMYK Objects and NOT RGB objects. (Grayscale objects are allowed.)

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