There are many
different file formats that may be used to move graphics around the internet, but we have settled on
a small number of formats that are widely accepted. We will also consider special requests.
EPS format is the simplest and most compact for us to send. These files are suitable for placing into
your page with or without scaling (though we discourage scaling by large amounts). EPS files are supplied
without an image preview, and with colours specified as CMYK. EPS files may be printed at any resolution,
and the elements may be ungrouped if your program supports this.
PDF files are a popular transmission format for many purposes. This format is essentialy the same as EPS
but is supported by a greater range of programs, and they are easy to view. We supply PDF files without embedded
fonts and already scaled to the correct size. We may restrict the output resolution on some low-cost
arrangements where the graph is for personal use only. In all other cases there is no limit to the output
resolution.
We supply bitmap images in PNG format. This format offers a superior combination of quality, compression, and
acceptance, than any other current format. PNG files are suitable for web pages and we can supply your graphic
to any pixel dimensions you require. We don't recommend PNG format for applications where the graphic
is to be printed - EPS or PDF are preferable.
Delivery is generally by email or sending to an ftp server.
Alternatively, we can set up an ftp login to our website from where you may download your files, but we will not
hold files for longer than two weeks.
Files are typically quite small, around 10kB to 30kB per graphic, or less than 10MB for a year's supply of daily files.
PNG files are usually between 10kB and 50kB depending on content and colour. This is a reasonable size for placing
on a web page, even when visitors are using dial-up.
To ensure safe and timely delivery of your graphics - particularly important for applications like daily newspapers and Television -
our servers are high reliability systems in a world-class datacenter.