WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A VECTOR AND A BITMAP IMAGE?
Bitmapped images cannot be used for vinyl jobs (PhotoShop images are bitmapped images), Vector images (non-bitmapped images) usually work very well for traditional jobs. These images can be broken down into geometrically defined components, and can be easily modified and scaled without losing any quality in the final output of the image.

AT WHAT SIZE SHOULD MY IMAGE BE SET UP?
Your file may be set up at any size as long as it is to scale with the final image size. Please indicate crop marks.

WHAT DO I DO ABOUT FONTS?
To avoid any problems with fonts, all text should be converted to outlines. To do this, follow the instructions for the program you are using.
* Adobe Illustrator 8.0: Choose "select all" from the edit menu and then select the command "create outlines" trom the type menu.
* CorelDraw! 6.0 (Mac): Choose "select all" from the edit menu and then choose "convert to curves" from the arrange menu.
* QuarkXPress 4.03: Quark does not offer the option of outlining text, so all fonts need to be included on the disk (screen fonts and printer fonts). Because PC and MAC fonts are not compatible, The Graphics Department may end up having to substitute fonts if you are using the PC version of Quark.

HOW DO I CORRECTLY SET UP A FILE FOR A TRADITIONAL JOB?
All text and objects need to be converted to outlines so that the vinyl cutter can cut them (see above instructions). Helpful hint: in order to see exactly what the vinyl cutter will be cutting, look at the image in outline form. To do this go under the view menu and select either "artwork" (Illustrator), "preview" (Freehand), or "wireframe" (CorelDraw) depending on which program you are using. Any lines that show up when you are looking at your file in this mode will be guides for the vinyl cutter to cut. If there are any lines that are not supposed to be cut, such as overlapping lines within logos or letters, they will need to be removed. All lines also need to be smooth. Looking at your image in an enlarged view will allow you to see whether the lines are smooth or not.

HOW SHOULD I SAVE MY FILE?
Please DO NOT save your file as an EPS. Most EPS files are locked, meaning that the Graphics Department cannot manipulate the content, proportion or color of the file in any way.

HOW SHOULD I SEND MY ARTWORK?
Artwork can be sent on the following types of media:
* 3.5" floppy
* Zip Disk *EZ 135
* Jaz Disk (I and 2 GB)
* CD-ROM
* 35" Syquest (270 and 540 MB)
* Bernoulli * 5.25" Syquest (44, 88 and 200 MB)
* DDS DAT Tape (Retrospect formatted, MAC only, 4MM wide, 90M long. Please put all of the tiles that Optima will be using to produce your job in one main folder. Also send along both the catalog file on a floppy and a list of the files that are being used).