The Buffalo News adheres to the Specifications for Newsprint Advertising Production (SNAP) Guidelines .
The Buffalo News is completely electronic — the images go directly from computer to plate, resulting in a better quality image that is much closer to the original. (Note: If film or velox is sent over, it will be scanned, thereby losing image quality.)

About SNAP
The mission of the SNAP Committee is to develop and communicate specifications to improve coldset reproduction quality. SNAP provides guidelines for the exchange of information and materials for the coldest (often referred to as the open Web) process. These specifications are for advertiser, agency and publisher customers, as well as for prepress, materials suppliers, newspaper and printer segments to help make the industry competitive in world markets. SNAP pertains to proofing and production printing for all coldset processes printing on webs of newsprint and premium groundwood paper offset lithography, direct lithography, flexography and letterpress processes.

About SNAPShot
SNAPShot is a brief summary of the most important points of the SNAP standards and recommendations, in a format that can be easily carried for quick reference. For full details, refer to SNAP.

Communications
When films and proofs are supplied, accompany films with
appropriate proofs and the following: • Advertiser name and phone • Ad rep name and phone • Name of the job, order number, run date and version • Additional technical info if required

When digital media are supplied, accompany data files with appropriate proofs and the following:

• Advertiser name and phone
• Ad rep name and phone
• Name of the job, order number, run date and version
• Acceptable media storage: Zip disk, jaz disk, etc.
• All screen and printer fonts
• All placed graphics
• Name(s) of the file(s) stored on the media
• Name(s) of software and version used for each file
• Name(s) of each type font used
• Trapping info
• Name of each linked graphic file
• Additional technical info if required

Typography and Rules
Fine Rules and Small Type
Reproduce as one-color only all rules that are 4 points and thinner and small sans-serif type 7 points and smaller; serif type 12 points and smaller; fine-serif type (e.g. Bodoni) 14 points and smaller.

Reversed Rules and Type
Use 10-point type minimum to reverse out of a single color background. Use 12-point type minimum to reverse out of a four-color background. Do not reverse serif type smaller than 12 points. Do not reverse serif type within screened areas containing less than a 70% screen comprised of any one, two, three or four colors. Do not reverse serif type in a yellow or other light-colored background.

Screened Text
Do not screen serif type with fine or medium weight type. Type screened at 80% or more will reproduce as a solid.

Surprinted Type and Tints
Overprint rules or type on a tint background of not more than 25%.

Image Capture
Conventional Photography

• Use a full tonal range.
• Use front lighting on the subject matter to increase printed detail and help maintain color fidelity. Avoid back lighting.
• Avoid using non-original copies of a photograph (duplicates), faster speed limits and enlarging grainy photographs since each will diminish printed sharpness.
• Use larger format (2-1/4” or larger) originals when making extreme enlargements of an image.
• Avoid flare and haze in original photographs.
• Use backgrounds in photographs that provide contrast while not being highly white reflective.

Digital Image Capture
Use a minimum input resolution of 200 pixels per inch (ppi) for continuous tone images scanned at their final image size. Use the following tables for guidance on scanning input ratios and lines per inch (lpi) output ratios.