Artwork Design Guidelines
Artwork issues are the number one reason for production delays and potential of extra charges. Please review these guidelines and forward them
to your graphic designer.
- Your artwork files should be ready-to-print, without changes or modifications. If you need assistance, our staff of experienced graphic designers can help you.
- Your artwork files need to conform to the specifications listed here. If not, you will probably experience delays or additional
charges.
- Your artwork files need to be on the proper templates. You can download our templates here
- Your artworks should be accompanied by color printouts to check your artwork files against.
- Your design page properties need to be set to 300dpi and set to the CMYK color mode.
- Your images and bitmaps need to be 300dpi and in either CMYK or Greyscall as applicable, not RGB.
- If you have scanned images, they need to be supplied as .TIF files (or TIFF) and not .JPG or GIF.
- Minimum positive type size is 5 point and 6 point for reverse.
- Your font files need to be supplied suparately or all text within the artwork must be converted to curves/outlines.
- If you use Photoshop: Because text tends to be pixelated when included in bitmap images, we highly recommend that Photoshop be used to
process images but not for typesetting. For best results it is preferable to export images from Photoshop as .TIF files and then typeset in a
program such as Illustrator.
- Acceptable tonal range for gradients or screens is between 15% and 85%. Tones outside that range may not print correctly.
- Place or link your images (do not embed them) and include a copy of every image file used in your design.
- Always allow at least 1/8" of bleed past the finished edge of the design where applicable.
- Suggest your files are supplied in >EPS format, however, supplying your native artwork files is helpful.
- Do not flatten the design template in your artwork. Always keep it on a separate removable layer.
- Supply a separate design file for each item being printed. (ie: disc, insert card, traycard, etc.)
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