Only place files for the piece on the disk you give to your printer or service bureau. If not, count on paying for whatever else is output.
Always provide a hard copy "style sheet" which shows everything on your disk, including file names, images, font usage, operating system and any other info that will help direct your printer or service bureau with your output.
Along with your disk always provide a hard copy of your artwork that is to be printed. "A picture is worth a thousand words" when your printer or service bureau can see what you are attempting to output.
Always provide a folded dummy of your work. There is no reason for our bindery to guess at your printing and folding requirements, because many variations are possible but only one is correct.
On your disk along with your document file, always provide an image directory/folder with all the images you will be printing and a font directory/folder with all the fonts to be used when printing your piece. Do so even with programs that embed them. If a fix is required of your printer or service bureau it is more difficult and costly to you to work with embedded files and not all programs embed fonts and images properly.
Never use JPG, GIF or other internet type file formats; they are usually low resolution and JPG files have a built in compression that can be visible on larger printed projects such as posters. These formats will print poorly because they generally have about 5% of the information required to print high resolution images. Generally stick with TIFF or EPS files for your images. If printing process color, be sure to convert your RGB images to CMYK or you will have shifts in color you might not like.
Work backwards from the last step of your printing job and you will avoid making mistakes. Plan your print job from the bindery portion of the printing process (if that is your last step) and make sure that all requirements necessary in bindery, such as folding, die scoring/cutting, etc can be met in the prior process of printing and film output. (An example is "creep" which is preparing your page sizing to fold accurately).
Understand how pages print and what a "press efficient form" is: 4 for small press, 8 for a 28" press and 16 for 40" large press. This will allow you to keep your project within budget. (If you have 5 pages of information and can reduce or compact your information to 4 pages you are being press efficient).
Do not try to reinvent the wheel. Work with the most efficient press and bindery layout for your project.
The most important of these tips: REDUNDANCY IS YOUR FRIEND! Cover your bases and watch the details in every area.
