Design & Prepare Files for Printing


Before sending us your file for print, please make sure your file meets the following requirements.

Quick Specs

Bleed
  • If you want your design to reach the edge of the printed page (no white margin), the digital file you send must have the colors or image stretched or "bleeding" 0.125" additional on all 4 sides past the cut line.
  • If you have a white border on your print, you don't need a bleed.

Safety Zone
  • All critical elements (text, images, logos, etc.) must be kept in the safety zone at least 0.125" on all 4 sides within the cut line (or final size of the printed product) to prevent it from being cut off.
  • See sample image.

Resolution
  • 300 dpi resolution or higher.
  • Avoid taking low-resolution pictures from the web because they are usually 72 dpi or lower.

Fonts
  • Outline your fonts to avoid font changes from computer to computer.
  • Font size should be 8 points or more for people to read it on print.

Colors
  • For full-color print jobs, convert all RGB and Pantone spot colors to CMYK color mode.
  • For black and white print jobs, use grayscale color mode (not CMYK or RGB).
  • For 1- or 2-color jobs, use Pantone spot colors.
  • For small or precise black text, use "standard black."
  • For black backgrounds and large areas of black, use "rich black."

File Format
  • Save your file as a high-resolution PDF (with bleeds and crop marks if applicable).
  • We recommend no borders because shifts in the cutting process can cause borders to look uneven.
  • However, if you insist on having borders, they should be at least 1/4" inside each cut line or 3/8" inside each bleed line.
   
Transparency
  • Never use shadows, glows, or any other transparency (image or otherwise) on top of a spot color.
  • Always convert your spot color to CMYK for full color jobs and flatten all transparencies before sending

BLEED LINE
- BACKGROUND AND IMAGES THAT BLEED OFF MUST EXTEND TO THIS LINE

CROP MARKS & TRIM LINE
- THIS IS WHERE THE FINISHED PRODUCT WILL BE CUT

SAFE AREA
- ANYTHING THAT IS NOT GETTING CUT MUST BE INSIDE THIS LINE

Detail Specs for File Requirements

How to prepare your file
Files:
  • 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 TYPE / FONTS
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.
How to save images
Images:
  • 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.
How to Subit your files
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.


Folding Options

The way you tell your story is as unique as the story itself. That’s why the folds you decide on make for a great first impression. Check out which options suit your needs the best.
​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.