Artwork Requirements for Printing Services
File Formats accepted:
- .pdf - Portable Document Format
- .eps - Encapsulated Postscript
- .tif - TIFF bitmap
- .jpg - Jpeg bitmap
- .png - Portable Network Graphics
Client (Distributor) is responsible for all artwork releases, permissions and licenses.
Resolution
All submitted raster/bitmap files should be 150ppi to 300ppi* at print size. 150-200ppi is usually the maximum if transferring to fabrics. 300ppi is better for transferring to Unisub, ChromaLuxe and other hard substrates. * Resize image in Photoshop to the intended print size without "resampling" it to determine ppi (pixels per inch).
Fonts (a.k.a. Text)
Convert Text to curves OR save as a jpg! If there is text in the image and submitting the cdr, pdf, or eps file format, convert the text to curves. If you save the files as jpg or tif, there is no need to convert to curves.
Color
Please use the RGB color space when creating new graphics* and when submitting any and all artwork**. Digitally captured or scanned photos default to RGB color. We will certainly accept CMYK and other color spaces in the artwork, but we usually get better results in RGB. The best blacks can be achieved with an RGB value of 0-0-0. * NOTE: The output from our printer will not match your printer nor will it match your computer’s monitor. If color is important to the job, the customer must approve a proof from our production facility.
** Client (Distributor) is responsible for all artwork releases, permissions and licenses.
Intended Substrate or Product
Intended Substrate/Product
If you are ordering Prints Only (on paper), letting us know the intended product to be printed will help us provide a more satisfactory print for you. We will know the best sublimation paper, appropriate print resolution to use AND if we should not mirror the image as when transferring to glass. Download our templates and use them to create your print art before sending it to us.
One of our biggest delays is artwork that doesn’t fit the requested substrate (e.g., a typical rectangular photo format is submitted for a square tile. There is no way to fit without cropping or stretching the image and no way to know what the client expects.)
Artwork Fees, Variable Data, and Expedite Fees
Artwork fees
Additional fees may be assessed for editing the submitted artwork. This includes text editing, proofs, color matching and design work. A full color proof or PMS (pantone matching system) color number needs to be submitted with the artwork when color matching is requested. The customer pays any shipping charges for approvals of samples/proofs. If specifying the color from a known standard (like Pantone Matching System) is not suitable for your needs, please send us a hard copy proof* to:
Variable Data Printing
We offer variable data output. You can personalize each item with a name or special graphic. An example would be name badges for a convention. There is a fee for each field. The first line of your database should contain the names of the fields. Please provide data in comma delimited .txt file or in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.
Expedite Fee
If the request is quicker than our stated turn-around time for a given order, an expedite fee may be assessed. Please specify turnaround time in the required field.
