[Rodney]

If you are working with a local printer, sometimes it's best to ask them directly which file format they prefer. Different printers have different preferences.

Most will "prefer" vector images, but many will work fine with high resolution raster images (like photoshop PSD files/TIFF/etc)

As far as how to physically get the design to the printer? Some have email addresses for this (again, it's good to ask the printer directly to see how they prefer to get files). Some will want it on a disk, some have an FTP server for you to upload files.

But if your designer can give you a vector file like an EPS file, you should be fine.

 

[Rodney]

i think most designers know the file platforms printers work with. Vector files for example.

That's a good point too. If you are working with an experienced designer who has done work for printers, they will know some of the common formats that printers prefer. You can always cross reference those with what the printer can handle (like if the designer is using a Mac and your printer is using all PCs)