Tips
- Specifics You Will Need to Know
- Image Size
- Resolution
- Maximum File Size
- File Formats for Pictures and Graphics
- Computer Platform
- Fonts
- Microsoft PowerPoint Presentations
- Page Layout and Illustrator Output
- Delivery of Digital Files
- Turnaround Time
- Archiving
Specifics You Will Need to Know
Before you place an order, there are a few things we would like you to
know about our processes and that we need to know about your request.
When you place an order by e-mail to photo@lbl.gov or call us at x5731, you will be asked a variety of questions that are
specific and important if we are to satisfy your needs. Note: All email
orders will receive a confirmation response from photo staff within 24
hours. If you have not received a confirmation please contact us by phone
and request status of your order.
Image Size
What is the size of your final product? 8"x10"? 3'x4'? 35mm slide? Keep
in mind that one of the greatest advantages to digital imaging technology
is that if you start with a hi-resolution image (8"x10" full color image
at 300 dpi equals a 20.6 Mb file) you can generate prints, viewgraphs,
Web images, presentation images, CDs, 35mm slides, and posters from that
single file. For example, at the outset of your project, you may only
need a small JPEG image for your web site, but you may find the need for
that same image in a 4-color publication later on. Always create a hi-resolution
file and produce products from that master.
Resolution
(a) A minimum of 300 dpi (dots per inch) or greater resolution is required
to create high-quality output such as photographs. (b) Graphics and pictures
in Power Point presentations require 150-200 dpi. (c) Files prepared for
our large format poster printer require images to be 1:1 at 72 dpi. For
example, if the final poster output has an image which is 6" x 10", then
the image file must be that size, 6" x 10", at 72dpi. (d) Web sites require
72 dpi for images and graphics saved in a compressed file format (JPEG
or GIF).
Maximum File Size
If you want to receive a digital file from us you must be sure that your
computer system can handle the size of the file. For instance, a normal
8"x10" at 300 dpi creates a file of 20.6 Mb. Does your computer have enough
disk space to handle 20 images? Do you have enough RAM in your computer
to handle opening these files? The more RAM you have, the easier it is
to manage the images. Transferring images can be accomplished in a number
of ways across our network. Do not attempt to send files larger than 500
K attached to an e-mail message. E-mail systems are designed to send small
messages, not to transfer files across the network. We do have several
ways of transferring larger files across the net. We can send FTP files
or drag and drop depending on your computing environment. Call us and
we will be glad to assist you in file transfer.
File Formats for Pictures and Graphics
We accept most file formats, including Photoshop, Postscript, PICT,
TIFF, EPS, JPEG, and GIF. TIFF and EPS are common file formats used for
images; JPEG and GIF are primarily used for Web sites. JPEG will give
you the best color-quality picture while GIF is best for colored graphics,
and occupies less memory than other file formats. We are capable of translating
and converting into or from almost any file format.
Computer Platform
Because our world is images and design, we are primarily Macintosh
based. This does not mean that we cannot handle PC based documents. Please
be sure to let us know from what platform your files originate, and we
will do what is necessary to output your file. Be advised, however that
most commercial offset printers expect to see work coming from a Mac and
many will not even accept a document in Word on the PC. If you are UNIX
based, call us for the best approach for file transfer and file output.
Fonts
Please include all fonts used in your job in a folder when you submit
your job. Be sure that you have included both screen and printer fonts
for postscript fonts and that you have included any true type fonts utilized
in your file. Avoid using "LBL fonts".
Microsoft Power Point Presentations
For 35mm slides, please make sure your page setup is formatted for the
35mm (11.25"x7.5") ratio and not the online screen format. Note: When
a presentation is created in the online screen format and then changed
to the 35mm slide format, images and text become skewed and must be reviewed
by the customer before further processing. When placing images or graphics
into your presentation, you should insert images instead of copying and
pasting them. Always insert a PICT or TIFF file. Never insert an EPS file
format. Power Point will not print an EPS file format even though it may
look fine on your monitor. The best practice is to always include your
images and graphic files in the same folder with your presentation. That
way, if we have a problem, we can most likely troubleshoot it and expedite
your order. Always group and save your individual slides as a "presentation"
rather than as individual files. This will greatly facilitate our handling
and output of your presentation to slide format.
Page Layout and Illustrator Output
When submitting a file to us for output that has been created in a page
layout program (QuarkExpress or PageMaker) or an illustration application
(Illustrator, Canvas, or Freehand), always include the images and graphics
files, as well as fonts in the folder with the main file. This will enable
us to correctly output the file and troubleshoot any problems that may
occur. If we do not have the image files or the correct fonts, we cannot
guarantee proper output. This may also delay delivery and drive up costs.
Delivery of Digital Files
If you require digital files for a project you are working on, we
will need to know the following: (a) your platform, (b) your intended
use (this will determine the size and the file format you will require)
and (c) how you wish us to deliver the file to you. Retrieval and delivery
of digital files has a 24 hr. turnaround. If the file that you require
does not exist as a digital file (originally taken as a traditional photograph
using film), the negative will be scanned and you will be asked the same
questions above. Delivery of this job will be about 3 days since it has
to be scheduled with other work in shop
Turnaround Time
It's to your advantage to provide us with the cleanest files possible
that output accurately, and also to allow us enough time to meet your
deadlines. Digital files will be delivered within 24 hrs, unless scanning
is required to produce the digital file, or if there are an excessive
number of files to retrieve and deliver. There is a typical three-day
turnaround for poster printing and most other work, contingent upon workload.
Same-day requests can be accommodated; rush fees will only apply in cases
of production schedule conflicts.
Archiving
Your work is very important. By archiving it, it becomes a part of the
LBNL collection, and your images and graphics can be more easily found.
LBNL has over one million images on film, dating back to the mid-1930s,
and approximately 500 GBs of digital data, ranging from historical images
to recent scientific work. We highly recommend that you always archive
your work.
