Expert: Tom Rouze - 5/2/2006

Question
How can I reduce the size of my illustrator file to send via email? I have not been able to send via email because the file is too large. I have tried to reduce the complexity of the file by deleting some elements, but that didn't seem to help and I have to send it to the printer today! Is there any way I can find out how large the file is? I can't seem to find that info anywhere? HELP PLEASE! I'm using Illustrator 10 and sending the file as an eps through mediacom email and aol email. This is for a screen printer and they specified needing it in a format that they can print. This is the first time I've worked on a t-shirt and so I'm not sure how else I could send them a usable file.

Answer
Hi Keri,

There are a couple options.  Try this first and if it doesn't work let me know and I'll walk you through another.
Checking the file size - If you are PC find the file click on file to select and right click, then go to properties (at the bottom) and see what the file size is.  
If Mac, click on file to select, then command "I" and it will tell you the size.

Here's how to make the file smaller. Open your file in Illustrator, go to file menu, export, rename the file (very important), then select format JPEG, a window will open with a slider and a number you can type in.  Try 7 first then check if the file is small enough.  If not then go to 6.  What this is doing is compressing the file.  You do lose some quality but for screen printing it should be okay.

If this does not give satisfactory results then email me back and I'll ask a few questions about the file and we'll do something else.  We have a few options.

Thank you,

Tom