Basic guidelines for artwork
File compatibility
For security, only the following archive types are accepted for upload:
JPEG, GIF, PNG, ZIP, AI, PDF, DOC, PSD, EPS, RAR
This doesn't mean you can upload the following formats, but you need to compress the files in a ZIP or RAR archive before upload:
- Quark Xpress;
- Photoshop;
- Freehand;
- Illustrator;
- Corel Draw;
- Corel Photo Paint;
- 3D programs, and any other program with resolution control and capable of saving EPS or TIFF formats.
PDF Guidelines
If you are uploading a PDF artwork, please follow this guidelines.
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Ink Color
For optimum results, files should be based on the Pantone Matching System (PMS) for both spot and four-color (CMYK) files. Specify the color in your file by the PMS name (i.e., PMS 203 instead of “Bubblegum Pink”).
Bleeds
All bleeds should extend 1/8” beyond the perimeter on each side of the composite layout. To ensure enough bleed, create the art to size and extend bleed beyond crop lines. Our templates already include the guides for safe bleeds.
Fonts
For accurate output, all Screen and Printer fonts used in your document need to be collected and submitted along with your file regardless of how commonly used they may be.
Rule Lines
Rule lines should be greater than .3 point line weight.
Resolution
For optimum results, artwork should be at a minimum of 300 dpi at size placed.
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Using Templates
We offer free-to-download templates to help formatting artwork in the right dimensions.
DOWNLOAD TEMPLATES
Program-specific artwork guidelines
Quark, PageMaker and InDesign
These page layout programs “link” to graphic elements such as eps or tiff files. When placing the “link” into these programs, do not embed them. Rather, submit the “links” separately along with the original file, as with the Screen and Printer fonts used in the original file.
Illustrator and Freehand
These draw program files should be submitted with un-embedded “links”. The fonts used in these files may be converted to curves, which will eliminate the need for collecting and submitting fonts. If you are unfamiliar on converting fonts to curves, include all Screen and Printer fonts used in the original file.
Photoshop*
Files created in this program need to be placed into a page layout program in order to accurately output the file. If you do not have a page layout program such as
Quark or Pagemaker, we will place your file for an additional charge. In this case, save your file to an EPS format. If the image bleeds, please see above guidelines or it may be necessary to enlarge the image to accommodate a bleed when placing into a page layout program. Photoshop files may be submitted for CMYK, greyscale or bitmap (resolution 300 or above) or duotones only. For best results, spot color artwork should be created in Illustrator or Freehand.
Microsoft Publisher*
Files created in this program should be submitted in the same manner as Quark and Pagemaker files above. Publisher does, however, include a “Pack and Go” feature (found under “File”) that allows the user to quickly gather the “links” and fonts for commercial printers.
Microsoft Word*
Files created in this program should be submitted with fonts as outlined above. “Links” placed in this program are automatically embedded, so it is not necessary to submit them separately. However, it is important to note that Word is ideally used for documents and does not support spot color printing for items such as business cards, letterhead, brochures, etc. If you create such an item in this program, output options may be limited.
Microsoft Excel* and Powerpoint*
Files created in these programs should be for database and presentation purposes only. These programs should not be used for artwork such as business cards, letterheads, brochures, etc.
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