General Recommendations
Do not "menu-style" your fonts. These styles may not have matching printer fonts available and may not print correctly. For effects such as bold or italic, select a bold or italic font.
Avoid using Photoshop for typesetting since it will convert it to a raster image.
Typeface size and geometry will greatly affect reproduction and the ability to maintain print registration.
Avoid fine serifs, small lettering, and small artwork.
Avoid (100% key only) overprint type and hairline rules less than .007 inch or 1/2 point.
The key type should overprint the background free of C, M, Y drop out.
Avoid four-color type, consisting of 100% black and 100% cyan and 100% magenta and 100% yellow. This color build would equate to 400% total density, which is noncompliant.
Reverse lettering should be carried in the areas of the illustration that will offer maximum contrast between the reverse type and the images.
Reversed Type and Rules
Reversed type should be a minimum of 8 points to avoid diminished legibility that happens when ink spreads into the type and causes misregistration. To further reduce these problems, use a sans serif or bold type. Reversed rules should be a minimum of 1 point to avoid unwanted thinning that happens when ink spreads into the rule. To limit problems with reversed out elements, build background fill colors with as few separations as possible. When reversing type and rules out of background tint, set the background tint to 30% or more.
Gray type (black type that is less than 100%) should be set to knockout so as to maintain the gray tone. Avoid "gray-on-gray" situations where gray type is surrounded by gray background color. If densities are similar, the gray text will blend into the background and appear as if it has disappeared.
Multi Color Thin Type and Rules
Whenever very thin or small objects such as rules or text are in two or more separations, variation becomes more pronounced. We recommend at least 1/4 point width for 1-color rules. To reduce chances of misregistration, use sans serif or bold fonts. Also, set the type size to 8 points or larger and the rules to one point or larger. Any text that is 4/C could result in some color variation throughout a run. Use as few separations as possible to achieve the color you want. Any text or rules that are 4/C can result in poorer than anticipated product quality, and increased paper waste at press which could negatively affect schedule attainment, quality and cost of your product. Thin text and rules or text that contains fine serifs may not reproduce satisfactorily, especially when screened or when printing on a screened background.