Preparing Hard Copy Originals

What is an original? An original is the hard copy or electronic file that you send us with your print order. We use the originals to produce your print order.

When originals are properly prepared, the finished copies are much higher in quality than copies made from a poor original.

(Note: Information on preparing electronic originals is available by clicking on the appropriate tab at the top of this page.)

When preparing your hard copy originals for use in the print shop, please consider the following points:

• Leave a 3/8" blank border at the top of your document, and 1/8" along the other three sides. This will ensure that none of your information gets cut off by the limitations of the printing/copying process.
• The best hard copy original uses black ink or toner, even if the final copies are to be printed with colored inks. (Click here for more information on preparing originals for multiple color printing.) Light blue and yellow will not pick up on our scanners. Your best strategy is to set your inkjet printer to print black only when your copies will be sent to the print shop. If you have a color laser printer, the same rule applies.
• Choose white paper for your originals. Darker paper colors often pick up a background image when reproduced. Red, orange, and dark green paper scans on our equipment as black and renders your original useless.
• Make sure that any photographs you use are press ready if you would like them to be recognizable. (Click here for more information on scanning photos.)
• Number your pages. We cannot be responsible for any pages which are printed or collated out of order if the pages are not numbered. If your originals are one sided, you can write the number on the back.
• Do not submit hard copy originals that are assembled with tape or staples. If you use the traditional cut and paste technique, please make a photocopy and send that as the original.
• Please trim off any solid black areas on your originals. These are commonly caused by making photocopies of pages smaller than 8 1/2 by 11".
• There are three common run sizes in our print shop: 8 1/2 by 11", 8 1/2 by 14", and 11 by 17" . Please make sure that your originals are created on one of the sizes listed above.
• Make a copy of your originals if all you have is hard copy originals. That way, if something happens to your originals (i.e. The order gets lost in delivery-rare, but it does happen on occasion) you have a back up copy to work with.
• Make sure to include permission to reproduce copyrighted materials with the order to avoid production delays. It is illegal to reproduce copyrighted materials, whether done by the print shop staff, or by yourself on a photocopier. Click here for our District's copyright policy.
• If you have electronic originals, you can upload them directly to our server using the on-line ordering system. The finished copy quality from electonic originals will almost always be significantly higher than hard copy originals.