File Preparation
Accepted File Formats:
We prefer that you send Press Ready (Press Quality) .PDF and/or .EPS files. However, we can accept also .ai, .psd, .eps, .tif (CMYK – 300 DPI), and .jpg (CMYK – 300 DPI).
Fonts:
All fonts must be converted to outlines to prevent default font issues.
Small Text:
All small text, thin and light weight fonts that are black should be made up of 100% Black and set to overprint to avoid any registration issues.
Color Mode or Space:
All files must be provided in CMYK color mode – four color process (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black). Files provided in RGB or with SPOT colors will shift in color (see File Resolution for more info).
Bleeds:
Files must have an additional 0.125″ border all around where the background image/color extends to. Bleeds are required for trimming (e.g. 8.75″ x 11.25″ file will have a final size of 8.5″ x 11″ after trimming, and a 4.25″ x 6.25″ file will have a final size of 4″ x 6″ after trimming).
Safe Area:
Keep all live areas with text and/or important elements a minimum of 0.125″ away from the final trim area.
Borders:
Borders are not recommended. If you must have a border make sure that it’s at least 0.25″ inside from final trim area – if the border is too close to the cutline, it may be cut off-center slightly.
File Resolution:
For high quality printing it is required to have 300 dpi (dots per inch) images/files. It is highly recommended to use professional software such as Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and/or Photoshop. Unfortunately, other software such as Office, Publisher, Powerpoint, Excel, and others will output files as RGB and at 72 dpi. These files will print pixelated.
Submitting Files:
We process one side at a time; if your job contains two sides please provide them as separate files. If you have multiple files with one common side, please send just one file for the common side.
Before uploading files, append your company name to the file (e.g. company_name – file_name -side.pdf); for “side” use “frt” for front and “bck” for back.
TROUBLE-SHOOTING
Avoiding Blues to print Purple:
When using a blue in your design, always make sure to leave at least a 30% difference in your Cyan and Magenta values.
EXAMPLE: C-100 M-70 Y-0 K-0
How to achieve a Rich Black:
To achieve a Rich black it must be composed of solid black, 100% K, with additional CMY ink values. This results in a darker tone than black ink alone.
When black is printed alone as 100% K, it might not be as deep or dark as wanted. We recommend using the following CMYK mixture for a Rich Black: C 30 M 20 Y 20 K 100 (DO NOT build small text, thin lines, or light/thin fonts as rich black – see “Small Text” section above)
Fonts:
All fonts must be converted to outlines to prevent default font issues.
Small Text:
All small text, thin and light weight fonts that are black should be made up of 100% Black and set to overprint to avoid any registration issues.
Color Mode or Space:
All files must be provided in CMYK color mode – four color process (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black). Files provided in RGB or with SPOT colors will shift in color (see File Resolution for more info).
Bleeds:
Files must have an additional 0.125″ border all around where the background image/color extends to. Bleeds are required for trimming (e.g. 8.75″ x 11.25″ file will have a final size of 8.5″ x 11″ after trimming, and a 4.25″ x 6.25″ file will have a final size of 4″ x 6″ after trimming).
Safe Area:
Keep all live areas with text and/or important elements a minimum of 0.125″ away from the final trim area.
Borders:
Borders are not recommended. If you must have a border make sure that it’s at least 0.25″ inside from final trim area – if the border is too close to the cutline, it may be cut off-center slightly.
File Resolution:
For high quality printing it is required to have 300 dpi (dots per inch) images/files. It is highly recommended to use professional software such as Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and/or Photoshop. Unfortunately, other software such as Office, Publisher, Powerpoint, Excel, and others will output files as RGB and at 72 dpi. These files will print pixelated.
Submitting Files:
We process one side at a time; if your job contains two sides please provide them as separate files. If you have multiple files with one common side, please send just one file for the common side.
Before uploading files, append your company name to the file (e.g. company_name – file_name -side.pdf); for “side” use “frt” for front and “bck” for back.
TROUBLE-SHOOTING
Avoiding Blues to print Purple:
When using a blue in your design, always make sure to leave at least a 30% difference in your Cyan and Magenta values.
EXAMPLE: C-100 M-70 Y-0 K-0
How to achieve a Rich Black:
To achieve a Rich black it must be composed of solid black, 100% K, with additional CMY ink values. This results in a darker tone than black ink alone.
When black is printed alone as 100% K, it might not be as deep or dark as wanted. We recommend using the following CMYK mixture for a Rich Black: C 30 M 20 Y 20 K 100 (DO NOT build small text, thin lines, or light/thin fonts as rich black – see “Small Text” section above)