Digital File Specifications

Digital Files: High Frequency Electronics uses an all-digital publishing process, on a PC computing platform. The industry standard for platform-independent digital printing is a high-resolution PDF file. PDF-x/1a is ideal, although the 4-color "Press" job option is also acceptable. In special cases, we can accept other file formats — contact your advertising sales representative or the Editorial & Production Office.

As noted above, PDF-x/1-a is the ideal format. A PDF-x/1-a compliant ad will have almost no chance for problems in the production of a magazine.

Making the "Perfect Ad"—

1)  SIZE — The ideal full-page ad will be provided as an 8.25 x 11 page, created to appear exactly as it will in the magazine, with NO border, crop marks, color keys, or other notations on the page.
(Click here for a page size drawing)

2) COLOR — Automatic color conversions during the printing process have the potential to change the appearance of your ad! To avoid this, all colors should be defined as CMYK, not RGB, Pantone, or other color spec. Also, colors should not be defined as "Spot Color" so look for such designations in your creation software and turn them off. Finally, be especially careful of the conversion into PDF. Use the appropriate output settings in Acrobat Distiller, and please check with the provider of your graphics software for cautions or suggestions.

3) LAYERS — The most difficult problems we see with PDF ads are related to layers. Briefly, your creation program treats each object placed on a page as a "layer," with a set of definitions regarding its position and modifications such as re-sizing. In some cases, the information about each layer is not transferred accurately from your creation program to the PDF file. In particular, this is known issue with Photoshop, but it can occur with other programs as well. It is important to check the Web site of your graphic software, or its users group, to identify problem areas that others have experienced.
      Usually, the best solution is to combine or "flatten" all background images. Thus, the background becomes a single image (and single layer) rather than complex assembly of multiple layers. As a result, the digital file is simpler, with much less chance of an error when saved in PDF format.

4) PDF COMMENTS — At this time, PDF is the most widely accepted document format for worldwide personal and professional use. Advertising for major consumer publications is required to be submitted as PDF-x/1a compliant files. Many graphic designers were initially reluctant to embrace PDF, however, early problems with PDF have been solved and its capabililities have been expanded. In fact, our magazine is printed from PDF files we create to our printer's specifications.