File Transfers
Cascade Print Media has several ways to share electronic files. We understand that printing has always been a “deadline” business and as technology speeds up so do deadlines. We aim to have the newest of technologies to help our customers exceed their customers’ expectations.
We can accept files under 5mb through our email. This works well with small jobs or sending PDF’s of proofs that were uploaded to your FTP folder.
Personal FTP
Click here and input the username and password that was supplied to you, if you already have a personal private FTP folder that we set up for you.
If you do not have a private folder, but would like to have one made for you, please email rob@cascadeprintmedia.com. Creating this folder will allow you to privately upload, download and view current work you have printing here at Cascade Print Media. This server is in house and is the quickest way of transferring files.
Community FTP
We also have a private and safe community upload only FTP folder that you can use. Simply fill out the form below then use the browse and submit buttons to upload files. This is also private but you will not have any way of viewing these files after uploading. This server is online and after your files are uploaded we will then need to download them, so this can take some time to retrieve larger files.
**NOTE**
Although both of these FTP options send an email notification as to your upload, please email your Cascade Print Media Representative as to what you uploaded and specifications on the job. It is a good idea to send a lo-res PDF to accompany the specifications email so that it will be quick to review.
Transportable Digital Media accepted by Cascade Print Media
Graphic application programs supported by Cascade Print Media
What to submit
Include Fonts
Transportable Digital Media accepted by Cascade Print Media
CD's / DVD's / USB Thumb Drives / SM / CF / SD / MS / MMC / File Transfer - Cascade Print Media accepts electronic file submissions via our FTP site. (Please contact customer service to arrange a secure account). Recommended for both Mac and PC is a FTP software that assists in uploads and downloads. There are several free programs that are very easy to use. (Coffee Cup -PC or RBrowser -Mac) Please Zip or Stuff all uploaded files to assure complete file transfer. Email - Cascade Print Media also accepts electronic file attachments via e-mail under 5Mbs.
Graphic application programs supported by Cascade Print Media
Adobe Photoshop - Widely accepted as the premiere image editing application. Photoshop documents (PSD, Raw, EPS, DCS, etc.) are accepted for all of Cascade Print Media's digital output services. Please note that, when working in a raster format, you must work at a resolution adequate for the size and resolution of your final output.
Adobe Illustrator - Adobe's vector drawing applicatoin. Accepted for all of Cascade Print Media's digital output services. Ideal for creating vector graphics.
Macromedia Freehand - Macromedia's vector drawing application. Freehand provides excellent text support and has multi-page capabilities. Accepted for all of Cascade Print Media's services.
Adobe InDesign - Adobe's premiere layout application. InDesign has become the industries #1 page-layout program, and now with Creative Suites we have tools at our finger tips that help bring even the most challenging design to print. Accepted for all of Cascade Print Media’s services.
Adobe PageMaker - Older page-layout application. Accepted for all of Cascade Print Media's services.
Quark Xpress - A page layout and publishing Program. Accepted for all of Cascade Print Media's services.
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) - Acrobat has become the #1 proofing format world wide. We can accept PDF’s from our customers as final art, but be aware that PDF’s can easily be made incorrectly.
What to submit?
If you are creating your document in a raster (pixel-based) application such as Adobe Photoshop, please confirm that your file is of sufficient resolution for output (300 dpi at 100% for offset printing and 72 to 150 dpi at 100% for our sign shop). If you are creating your document in a layout application such as Adobe PageMaker, Adobe InDesign or Quark Xpress, or in a vector based drawing application such as Adobe Illustrator or Macromedia Freehand, please be sure to include all necessary elements (fonts and links). Cascade Print Media knows that in this age of electronic file submission and of time constraints, hard copies of what your file is to look like have become a thing of the past for many clients. When time allows a hard copy takes the guess work out of otherwise difficult files and can speed the proofing process up.
With most hi-end programs such as Adobe’s Creative Suites a “package” or “save for service provider” is available as an option when your native file is ready to go to Cascade Print Media. This will first preflight your document and give warnings such as missing links or missing fonts, spot color or RGB color space warnings. Then the “package” will collect all your fonts used in the document (These fonts will only be used for your project and archived only to that job. This will allow you to uphold your copyright obligation). Then the links will be gathered and copied to the selected new packaged folder. Older and less common programs do not have the ease of packaging for your printer, so it will be important to make sure all that is needed to produce the file is collected and copied for your prepress department.
Include Fonts
Please be sure to include all fonts used in your document with your job submission. Fonts submitted should include printer (outline or postscript) and screen (bitmap) font elements. For older and less common programs please use native font variations rather than applying any font style attributes from font style menus. For example, use the font "Times Italic" rather than using "Times" and selecting Italic from the pull-down style menu.
Include Links(imported art) - Please link (rather than embed) all imported art. Ensure that all links are present and updated prior to submitting your files for output. Please also make sure that the files are CMYK rather than RGB or your project may experience an undesired hue change in the final product.
Hardcopies
A proof or black and white hardcopy is optimal for every job submission.
Submitting Jobs
Please include all elements and only the elements needed for processing your job. Please organize fonts, supporting art, and print files in an intuitive manner on your transportable media. We support all industry standard transportable media, and we also accept digital file submissions. Contact Cascade Print Media's customer service department for further assistance.
Most Common PDF problems
4 color process CMYK, spot color(s), over print, knock outs, fonts not embedded, links low resolution, bounding boxes. By sending Cascade Print Media a PDF as final art you are limiting our ability to make changes/corrections. We have programs such as Pitstop that can make PDF manipulation easier but it has limits. If you know your PDF’s are up to printing standards and feel more comfortable with your printer using your PDF’s, when possible, send the complete native file with your PDF just in case.