I don have a vector-based program. Can I send files in Word / Publisher / PowerPoint etc.?
The main problem with these types of programs is that initially, they are not aimed at the print professional. As you know, they can do a superb job creating in-house stationery, presentations etc. and printing directly to desktop machines. One of the main downsides for instance is that if you embed an image in Word this is embedded as a bitmap at 72dpi (presumably to keep file sizes down) and consequently would give poor results if output to a high-resolution image setters (2400dpi+ !!). As with most types of problems, there are of course workarounds. If your only way of sending your artwork is by one of these programs then please try and send an original version of any graphic used in the document. The text we can cut & paste, but once the graphic is embedded then we are stuck with a low-res image.
