Design & Prepare Files for Printing
How to prepare your file:
How to submit your file:
Type:
Scans:
Files, Applications, & Folders:
- Export or save your files as PDF using the PRESS QUALITY or PDFx-1a preset from your layout program. Please make sure it includes a min. 0.125" bleed, crop marks, Color mode CMYK.
- If you don't have the option to save it as PDF, you can save/export your file as TIFF or JPEG format, 300 dpi (Photoshop)-with min. 0.125" bleed, CMYK.
- If you can’t save your file as TIFF directly from the program that you created your file in, save your file as EPS then open your EPS file in Photoshop and save it as TIFF or JPEG format. Before saving your file as EPS, make sure all your fonts and placed images are linked correctly. All placed images should be 300dpi (high resolution). Convert all text/fonts to outline if you are using a vector application e.g. Corel Draw, Freehand and Adobe Illustrator.
- All jobs are subject to cancellation fee after the job has gone through preflight or production.
- We are not responsible for quality of text when you convert your files to TIFF, JPEG or EPS, as you may know this might change the sharpness of your text.
How to submit your file:
Type:
- All type should be easily read and of a dark density.
- When creating files on vector based software such as InDesign or Illustrator, all text must be converted to outlines before generating a final PDF or EPS.
- To maintain quality, black line copy should be a minimum 6 pts. sans serif medium font.
- Fine lines and rules should be restricted to one color.
- Specify the rule width to maintain consistency. The use of “hairline” rules should be avoided.
- Type may be reversed out of screens, PMS areas, or separations.
- To maintain quality, reverse type should be a minimum 8 pts. sans serif bold face font.
- Please set black object and type over 18 pts. to be 60C, 40M, 40Y, 100K.
- Type should extend no closer than 1/8” of trim.
- Fonts should be Type 1 PostScript fonts or OpenType. Type 1 fonts require screen and printer fonts to be supplied with submission.
- Please avoid the use of Truetype fonts if possible. Truetype fonts do not yield consisted results.
- To avoid any delays to your files please outline and/or vectorized your fonts when supplying final PDFs or EPS documents.
Scans:
- TIFF files should be saved with no LZW compression.
- EPS files should be saved with Mac preview and Binary encoding and no compression, outline all fonts.
- Copy Dot scans must have a resolution of 2400 dpi.
- 8-bit (grayscale) and 24-bit (color) scans should have an effective resolution between 225-350 dpi.
- Line art scans should have a minimum effective resolution of 600 dpi.
- Total ink coverage of a scan should not exceed 320%.
- Images should be scanned as close to 100% of final size as possible.
- PLEASE DO NOT SUPPLY RGB IMAGES.
Files, Applications, & Folders:
- Please avoid the use of special characters in file and folder names such as: < > / \: * ? “ |
- PostScript files are to be written according to specifications outline in PostScript Submission for Computer to Plate (PDF) customer guide.
- Please supply us with die lines (set to overprint) and any other special instructions, so your file can be expedited in a timely fashion.
USPS Regulations
Folding Options
Please note that there is a 1/16" cutting tolerance AND a 1/16" folding tolerance that may cause the image to shift after the product has been printed, cut and folded. For best results, we recommend a gradient or solid color background.
