About
FPOs and Image Compression
What are FPOs? 
FPOs are typically low-resolution desktop scans that are sized to 100% and
cropped as intended in the final document. FPOs are very helpful to a designer
when evaluating color and composition of a page and provide placement instructions
for our prepress techs if we are to be creating and placing your high-resolution
scans.
A few points to keep in mind when using FPOs:
1) FPOs must be clearly marked "FPO"on the hard copy proof submitted with the electronic file. UPC codes temporarily placed as FPOs must also be clearly marked.
2) FPO images must contain enough detail to determine scaling percentage and positioning. Maintain a resolution of at least 72 ppi.
3) Caution should be taken when sizing images. It is easy to accidentally achieve anamorphic (out of proportion) scaling even though you wish to maintain a relative aspect ratio. Any anamorphic scaling that is intentional should be clearly marked on the proof.
4) Each desktop scan should contain a single subject, as opposed to a group of images ganged on one scan. There should only be one single image placed in each picture box in a layout file – not several with all but one cropped out. Multiple-subject images like this increase the size of the page layout document, resulting in increased processing and proofing times.
5) If you create a ganged scan, convert it to separate images with a minimum of crop using the cropping tool in an image editing application.
6) It is best to specify scaling instructions by measuring from the original copy. Some scanners sample a few points above or below 100% even when 100% is specified. Relying on the scaling applied in the layout can produce inaccurate results.
7) When working with FPOs, consider the following: low-resolution PICT files usually look better on screen than TIFFs, but worse than TIFFs when output to a laser printer.
8) The key here is that if FPO files must travel with the job for whatever reason, clearly identify them as FPO. This can be done by placing them in a separate folder or directory so our prepress techs have no question that they are FPOs.
About
Image File Compression
If you intend to transport your digital art files electronically, it ususally
helps to have the smallest file size possible. Because high-resolution raster
images are typically quite large in megabytes, most professional photo manipulation
applications allow for file compression in the SAVE dialog box.
Try to remember that JPEG is a "lossy" compression scheme. The higher the compression ratio the smaller the file size. Compression also reduces image detail. If color is critical, file compression should be avoided. Particularly for Live images, the problem will be compounded if any scaling is done in the layout program.
Always thoroughly evaluate the effects of compression before sending these images into production. You may want to test compressed images with us to see what level is appropriate for your Live images.
LZW is a lossless compression scheme used with TIFF files, though it does not reduce file size to the degree JPEG will.
Click here to learn more about using high-resolution Live images in your document.
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