PLEASE NOTE: When creating graphics in image editing programs such as Adobe Photoshop with the intention of outputting to an imagesetter or platesetter, it is extremely important that the person creating the graphic have a thorough understanding of the details of imaging in a prepress environment. The more complicated your graphic becomes, the greater the probability of problems at output, and therefore the need for more expertise and experience in creating the files.

Select one of the topics below for instructions: Saving Color Figures Saving Grayscale Figures Saving Monochrome Figures

Saving Color Figures

1. Open the scanned graphic in Photoshop.

2. Verify that the resolution is correct (Image -> Image Size). For color figures the resolution should be at least 300 ppi (pixels per inch).

3. Verify that the mode is correct (Image -> Mode). For color figures the mode should be CMYK.

Please note: Some journals now require that color be submitted in RGB color mode. To learn more about the RGB workflow click here.

4. Do all cropping, tooling, and editing. Make sure all images are cropped closely (i.e., no excess "white space"), cleaned, and that you have removed dust, scratches, and tape marks. Print out a laser proof (or color proof if possible) of the figure and check it over before sending it to CPC.

5. Save the files using the Save As command (File -> Save As). Format:TIFF

6. Set the dialog box for TIFF Options as shown below: (Note: Byte Order should be Macintosh)

Saving Grayscale Figures

1. Open the scanned graphic in Photoshop.

2. Verify that the resolution is correct (Image -> Image Size). For grayscale figures the resolution should be 300 ppi (pixels per inch). Grayscale figures with halftone images and type are considered to be combination halftones. If you plan to add type to your halftone scan using Photoshop, the resolution should be 600 ppi (pixels per inch).

3. Verify that the mode is correct (Image -> Mode). For grayscale figures the mode should be Grayscale.

4. Do all cropping, tooling, and editing. Make sure all images are cropped closely, cleaned, and that you have removed dust, scratches, and tape marks. Print out a laser proof of the figure and check it over before sending it to CPC.

5. Save the files using the Save As command (File -> Save As). Format:TIFF

6. Set the dialog box for TIFF Options as shown below: (Note: Byte Order should be Macintosh)

Saving Monochrome Figures

1. Open the scanned graphic in Photoshop.

2. Verify that the resolution is correct (Image -> Image Size). For monochrome figures the resolution should be 1200 ppi (pixels per inch).

3. Verify that the mode is correct (Image -> Mode). For monochrome figures the mode should be Bitmap.

4. Do all cropping, tooling, and editing. Make sure all images are cropped closely, cleaned, and that you have removed dust, scratches, and tape marks. Print out a laser proof of the figure and check it over before sending it to CPC.

5. Save the files using the Save As command (File -> Save As). Format:TIFF

6. Set the dialog box for TIFF Options as shown below: (Note: Byte Order should be Macintosh)