Electronic Art Files: The Sharpe Group prefers to receive artwork (logos, etc.) for imprints as electronic files. Items should be saved in either a .TIFF or .EPS format for the Macintosh with a resolution of 300 dpi or higher; however, if you include text with your logo or send a separate text file in .tiff or .eps, the resolution should be 600 dpi or higher. Bitmap files must have a resolution of at least 600 dpi. The file should be e-mailed to imprints@sharpenet.com. Please do not send graphics from your Web site, as the resolution will not produce a quality imprint.

Camera-ready Artwork: If you do not have your artwork saved electronically, you may send camera-ready art, also referred to as “slicks” or “PMTs” (positive method transfers). Camera-ready artwork must have the highest possible resolution to produce a quality imprint for our printed publications. Ink jet and bubble jet prints and copies are not acceptable for camera-ready artwork. The artwork should be as close to the size of the finished imprint as possible. To ensure speedy completion of your order, camera-ready artwork should be sent via overnight or express delivery to:

Publication Order Department
The Sharpe Group
8700 Trail Lake Drive West, Suite 222
Memphis, TN 38125

If you have any questions, please call or e-mail our Publication Order Department at 800/238-3253 or orders@sharpenet.com.

Photographs can be as important as words in communicating your message to your audience. In gift planning publications, good photos help express your mission and/or honor prior donors while conserving copy space for important gift planning information.

Sometimes we have the benefit of using high quality, professional photos in publications. Often, however, we settle for poor quality images. In some cases, such as when using photos of a deceased donor, it may be impossible to secure an excellent photo.

There are many variables to what makes a photo good. We would like to offer some helpful suggestions and tips for you to consider before sending photos for your particular piece.

• Is the photo in focus? If not, remember that it will not become any more “in focus” when reproduced.

• Is the photo properly exposed? If it is too light or too dark, it will probably be difficult for your reader to see in print.

• Is the subject of the photo clear? Is it apparent what is happening, or what is most important to show? Are there any elements in the photo that detract from the central subject?

• Make sure you get all of your subject in the frame. For instance, don’t cut off the tops of heads. Let our graphic designers do any photo “cropping” for you.

Image quality and overall clarity can be achieved whether you are using a standard or digital camera. Basic principals of photography are the same, but keep in mind that the resolution (pixels per inch, or “ppi”) affects final printed quality on digital photos. Also remember that if you are scanning a photo for later use, quality settings on your scanning software and equipment are significant. Read on for more specific technical information. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact your Sharpe representative.

Conventional Photography

Two important aspects of image quality related to conventional film speed are sharpness and graininess. Sharpness refers to the film’s ability to record detail with good definition. As a rule, the lower a film’s ISO (formerly referred to as “ASA”) speed, the greater its ability to render subjects sharply. Graininess is the speckled or granular texture sometimes seen in photos. It is a product of the film’s light-sensitive emulsion and is more apparent in pictures made with faster (higher ISO) films. The faster the speed, the larger the size of the grain, but the lower the amount of light needed for good exposure.

Enlarging the negative also affects sharpness and graininess. At print sizes (5” x 7” or smaller), grain is barely noticeable, even with fast films. But as enlargement increases, graininess becomes more apparent, and image sharpness diminishes.

Scanners

When scanning a high-quality photo (regardless of size), set the scanner’s output to its highest quality possible. This will increase the file size, but is necessary for print quality. The lower quality settings (75 dpi, for example) are used primarily for web graphics. These appear pixilated or “jagged” when reproduced in a printed piece.

We suggest a minimum resolution of  300 dpi when scanning photos that will be printed in the relatively small size generally used in Sharpe publications.

Digital cameras

As with film cameras, there are wide variations in the quality of digital cameras and the images they produce. Generally, we recommend using a camera with the highest possible resolution capability, usually expressed in “megapixels.”  Today’s consumer cameras typically are capable of at least 2 megapixel resolution, while professional models exceed 5 megapixels.  Any camera in this range should capture a good image when set to its high quality setting. Use the following general guidelines when sizing images to aspect ratios.

• For a 4” x 6” image, the image resolution should be 480 x 640 pixels minimum.
• For a 5” x 7” image, the image resolution should be 768 x 1024 pixels minimum.
• For an 8” x 10” image, the image resolution should be 1024 x 1536 pixels minimum.

Best color and quality results for digital camera pictures

Color quality begins with the picture capture. To optimize the capture, use the following tips:

• Review your camera User’s Manual to understand the best setting for your camera in the lighting conditions you are using (daylight, nighttime, indoors, etc.).
• Set the Quality setting on your camera to capture a sufficient number of pixels for your prints. (This makes for larger files, but also better quality.)
• Use the largest possible resolution your camera has available.
• When saving the picture, if you have the choice, select RGB as the default color space for your pictures.
• Save your picture in 24-bit color.

Image compression

Photographic images generate large amounts of data. In order to handle digital pictures more efficiently, they are compressed. Some methods of compression are lossless. That is, the compressed file will result in a picture that, when uncompressed, is identical to the original. These methods generally don’t reduce file size by more than a 2:1 ratio. (TIF and EPS files are examples of this format.) The methods used to achieve higher compression levels are referred to as lossy. That is, they sacrifice some of the original image data in order to achieve the significant reduction in file size. Moderate levels of compression, those less than a ratio of 10 to 1, are often used with good results. Compression levels greater than 10 to 1 generally result in a loss of print quality. (JPG and GIF files are examples of this format.)

For the best quality reproduction, we suggest saving in TIF or EPS format with minimum compression. With today’s higher-speed internet connections, even these large files can generally be sent via e-mail relatively quickly.

Black and white photos

As with color photos, contrast and lighting take a large role in making quality back and white photos. Color photos can be converted into black and white, but never the other way around. This step should be done by Sharpe or your design department whenever possible.

If the resolution is not acceptable quality

You can send the file anyway, but you may not be satisfied with the print quality. Sharpe will contact you if a picture with questionable quality arises.

We at Sharpe are here to help you get the highest quality product to your audience. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have.