Artwork Guidelines

 

These guidelines apply to artwork that you email to us. If you are ordering an item directly on our website check the specific file requirements for that item on the section of our site that you are ordering from as it may be slighlty different than the requirements listed below. When we receive your emailed file we will review it to make sure it is set up correctly. If we find any issues we will put the order on hold and contact you.

Email all artwork 1-up on the page.

Guidelines for setting up artwork for full color printing (CMYK)

Start and finish your designs in CMYK color mode. If you send in a job with Pantone colors, the CMYK conversion will change the Pantone color. Before sending your order, make sure all Pantone colors have been converted to CMYK.

The resolution at which your file is created will determine the final print quality. For best results, artwork should be no less than 300 dpi. If you try to increase the resolution of a 72 dpi file to a 300 dpi file, it will produce an image that is blurry. For best results start with a high resolution file.

To prevent transparency issues, never use shadows, glows, or any other transparency (image or otherwise) on top of a spot color. Always convert your spot color to CMYK and flatten before sending.

Rich black is an ink mixture of solid black, 100% K, with additional CMY ink values. This results in a darker tone than black ink alone. If you print black alone as 100% K, the resulting black may not be as dark as you might like.

We recommend using C 60 M 40 Y 40 K 100, this will give you a deep, dark, rich black.

 

Business cards

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 300 dpi. For standard size business card, set up artwork at 3.5 by 2 inches with an 1/8 (0.125) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. If there is a bleed, it should extend 1/8 (0.125) of an inch past the edge of the card so that the final file size would be 3.625 by 2.125. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded.

Letterheads

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 300 dpi. For standard size letterhead, set up artwork at 8.5 by 11 inches with a 1/4 (0.25) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. If there is a bleed, it should extend 1/4 (0.25) of an inch past the edge of the letterhead so that the final file size would be 8.75 by 11.25. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded.

Envelopes

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 300 dpi. For standard no. 10 envelope, set up artwork at 4.13 by 9.5 inches with a 1/4 (0.25) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded.

*IMPORTANT* Envelope Artwork Guidelines

It is required that there be 1/16" overbleed and color wrap around onto the back of the envelope to allow for movement throughout the bindery process.

If the envelope has bleed on the face or print on any flap, it is required that the artwork be placed on one of our templates.

Request an envelope template (When requesting a template specify the size you will need)

Greeting Cards

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 300 dpi. Set up at the size being ordered with a 1/4 (0.25) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. If there is a bleed, it should extend 1/8 (0.125) of an inch past the edge. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded.

Notepads

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 300 dpi. Set up at the size being ordered with a 1/8 (0.125) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. If there is a bleed, it should extend 1/8 (0.125) of an inch past the edge. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded.

Bookmarks

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 300 dpi. Set up at the size being ordered with a 1/8 (0.125) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. If there is a bleed, it should extend 1/8 (0.125) of an inch past the edge. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded.

Rip cards

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 300 dpi. Set up at the size being ordered with a 1/8 (0.125) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. If there is a bleed, it should extend 1/8 (0.125) of an inch past the edge. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded. Request a template

Brochures

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 300 dpi. Set up at the size being ordered with a 1/8 (0.125) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. If there is a bleed, it should extend 1/8 (0.125) of an inch past the edge. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded.

Sell Sheets

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 300 dpi. Set up at the size being ordered with a 1/8 (0.125) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. If there is a bleed, it should extend 1/8 (0.125) of an inch past the edge. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded.

Magnets

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 300 dpi. Set up at the size being ordered with a 1/8 (0.125) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. If there is a bleed, it should extend 1/8 (0.125) of an inch past the edge. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded.

Door hangers

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 300 dpi. Set up at the size being ordered with a 1/8 (0.125) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. If there is a bleed, it should extend 1/8 (0.125) of an inch past the edge. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded. Request a template (When requesting a template specify the size you will need)

Postcards

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 300 dpi. Set up at the size being ordered with a 1/8 (0.125) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. If there is a bleed, it should extend 1/8 (0.125) of an inch past the edge. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded.

Flyers

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 300 dpi. Set up at the size being ordered with a 1/8 (0.125) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. If there is a bleed, it should extend 1/8 (0.125) of an inch past the edge. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded.

Presentation Folders

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 300 dpi. We prefer that you design your file on one of our templates. Contact us if you do not see the template you need.

Tear off cards

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 300 dpi. Set up at the size being ordered with a 1/8 (0.125) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. If there is a bleed, it should extend 1/8 (0.125) of an inch past the edge. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded. Request a template (When requesting a template specify the size you will need)

Table tent cards

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 300 dpi. Set up at the size being ordered with a 1/8 (0.125) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. If there is a bleed, it should extend 1/8 (0.125) of an inch past the edge. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded. Request a template (When requesting a template specify the size you will need)

CD covers

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 300 dpi. For standard size, set up artwork at 4.75 by 4.75 inches with an 1/8 (0.125) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. If there is a bleed, it should extend 1/8 (0.125) of an inch past the edge so that the final file size would be 4.875 by 4.875. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded.

CD inlays

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 300 dpi. For standard size, set up artwork at 5.9375 by 4.625 inches with an 1/8 (0.125) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. If there is a bleed, it should extend 1/8 (0.125) of an inch past the edge so that the final file size would be 6.0625 by 4.75. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded.

DVD covers

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 300 dpi. For standard size, set up artwork at 7.187 by 10.75 inches with an 1/8 (0.125) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. If there is a bleed, it should extend 1/8 (0.125) of an inch past the edge so that the final file size would be 7.312 by 10.875. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded.

Labels/stickers

We employ the flexography process in our label printing. As a flexographic printer, we use polymer plates to apply ink to a substrate. Our inks are water-based (with the exception of our ultraviolet line of labels) and are not opaque.

Screens and Graduated Screens

We can print screens anywhere from 3% to 100%. This information applies to screens (tints) and also graduated screens.

Vignettes and Color Mixing

Due to the nature of flexography, attempting to mix colors can sometimes produce unpredictable results. Furthermore, because our inks are water-based, inks that do mix tend to look "muddy" and dull. This not only applies to one solid color mixing with another solid color, but also vignettes, or color blending. Because of the extreme, erratic behavior of mixed colors, we highly recommend against it.

Lines per Inch

The polymer plates used in our label printing process have an ideal line screen range of 65 to 105 lines per inch. Of course electronic art could be printed at a lower line screen to achieve a certain effect. Unless specified otherwise, we will output your file at 105 lines per inch.

Send label file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 300 dpi. Set up at the size being ordered with a 1/8 (0.125) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. If there is a bleed, it should extend 1/8 (0.125) of an inch past the edge. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded. If one color file, send file in black and white. If more than one color see Creating Spot Color Separations.

Guidelines for setting up artwork for spot color printing (1, 2 and 3 color), embossing, engraving and foil stamping

 

Business cards

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 600 dpi. For standard size business card, set up artwork at 3.5 by 2 inches with an 1/8 (0.125) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. If there is a bleed it should extend 1/8 (0.125) of an inch past the edge of the card. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded. If one color file, send file in black and white. If more than one color see Creating Spot Color Separations.

Letterheads

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 600 dpi. For standard size letterhead, set up artwork at 8.5 by 11 inches with a 1/4 (0.25) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. If there is a bleed, it should extend 1/4 (0.25) of an inch past the edge of the letterhead so that the final file size would be 8.25 by 11.25. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded. If one color file, send file in black and white. If more than one color see Creating Spot Color Separations.

Envelopes

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 600 dpi. For standard no. 10 envelope, set up artwork at 4.13 by 9.5 inches with a 1/4 (0.25) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded. If more than one color see Creating Spot Color Separations.

*IMPORTANT* Envelope Artwork Guidelines

It is required that there be 1/16" overbleed and color wrap around onto the back of the envelope to allow for movement throughout the bindery process.

If the envelope has bleed on the face or print on any flap, it is required that the artwork be placed on one of our templates.

Request an envelope template (When requesting a template specify the size you will need)

Greeting Cards

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 600 dpi. Set up at the size being ordered with a 1/4 (0.25) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. If there is a bleed, it should extend 1/8 (0.125) of an inch past the edge. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded. If one color file, send file in black and white. If more than one color see Creating Spot Color Separations.

Notepads

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 600 dpi. Set up at the size being ordered with a 1/8 (0.125) of an inch margin around all sides. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded. If one color file, send file in black and white. If more than one color see Creating Spot Color Separations.

Brochures

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 600 dpi. Set up at the size being ordered with a 1/8 (0.125) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. If there is a bleed, it should extend 1/8 (0.125) of an inch past the edge. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded. If one color file, send file in black and white. If more than one color see Creating Spot Color Separations.

Postcards

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 600 dpi. Set up at the size being ordered with a 1/8 (0.125) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. If there is a bleed, it should extend 1/8 (0.125) of an inch past the edge. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded. If one color file, send file in black and white. If more than one color see Creating Spot Color Separations.

Flyers

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 600 dpi. Set up at the size being ordered with a 1/8 (0.125) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. If there is a bleed, it should extend 1/8 (0.125) of an inch past the edge. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded. If one color file, send file in black and white. If more than one color see Creating Spot Color Separations.

Presentation Folders

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 600 dpi. We prefer that you design your file on one of our templates. Contact us if you do not see the template you need. If one color file, send file in black and white. If more than one color see Creating Spot Color Separations.

Magnets

Send file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 600 dpi. Set up at the size being ordered with a 1/8 (0.125) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. If there is a bleed, it should extend 1/8 (0.125) of an inch past the edge. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded. If one color file, send file in black and white. If more than one color see Creating Spot Color Separations.

Labels/stickers

We employ the flexography process in our label printing. As a flexographic printer, we use polymer plates to apply ink to a substrate. Our inks are water-based (with the exception of our ultraviolet line of labels) and are not opaque.

Spot Colors

Because our labels are printed with the flexographic process, each different color requires its own individual polymer plate. A one-color job requires one plate, a two-color job requires two plates, and so on. Each plate is responsible for the application of a single color. These single colors are referred to as spot colors. Accordingly, electronic art must be set up using spot colors. Most graphics applications have a standard color menu that lists common spot colors (such as black, red, blue, yellow, and so forth). Many allow you to import spot colors from real-world color-matching systems. The most widely used color-matching system by designers would be the Pantone Matching System. When using either standard colors or imported colors, please make sure that you use the same color for different elements in your file. A common pitfall is to assume that colors that look identical on the screen are equal. To make sure that your art is properly separated, print your color separations to a printer.

Screens and Graduated Screens

We can print screens on labels anywhere from 3% to 100%. This information applies to screens (tints) and also graduated screens.

Vignettes and Color Mixing

Due to the nature of flexography, attempting to mix colors can sometimes produce unpredictable results. Furthermore, because our inks are water-based, inks that do mix tend to look "muddy" and dull. This not only applies to one solid color mixing with another solid color, but also vignettes, or color blending. Because of the extreme, erratic behavior of mixed colors, we highly recommend against it.

Lines per Inch

The polymer plates used in our label printing process have an ideal line screen range of 65 to 105 lines per inch. Of course electronic art could be printed at a lower line screen to achieve a certain effect. Unless specified otherwise, we will output your file at 105 lines per inch.

Send label file in pdf format with a resolution of no less than 600 dpi. Set up at the size being ordered with a 1/8 (0.125) of an inch margin around all sides for text or other image that doesn't bleed on all sides. If there is a bleed, it should extend 1/8 (0.125) of an inch past the edge. Include crop marks and flatten your file so that the fonts are embedded. If one color file, send file in black and white. If more than one color see Creating Spot Color Separations.

Creating Spot Color Separations

If your file contains more than one spot color or Pantone color you will need to color separate the file before you send it to us. To do this, simply follow these easy steps:

1) Design everything in your file in black including the areas that will be printed in color.

2) Use Adobe Acrobat to create a PDF file, and save it as "YourJob_composite".

3) Let's say your file contains items to be printed in blue and items to be printed in red: Select everything that will be printed in blue. Delete everything else. Use Adobe Acrobat to save this version as "YourJob_blue.pdf". Close your file WITHOUT saving the deletions and reopen it. Now select everything that will be printed in red. Delete everything else. Use Adobe Acrobat to save this version as "YourJob_red.pdf". Close your file WITHOUT saving the deletions.

4) You should now have 3 PDF files:

a black composite
a file that contains only items to be printed in blue
a file that contains only items to be printed in red

Spot color separations with multiple process printing

Use these steps to create spot color separations if your design will be printed with spot color(s) and more than one printing process will be used.

1) Create a PDF file of your finished design and save it as "YourJob_composite.pdf". 

2) Open original file and select everything that will be printed with color 1. Delete everything else. (Be careful not to save your deletions in your original file!) Next select all elements with color 1 that will be printed with process 1. Delete everything else. Click Save As and create a new file named "YourJob_color1_process1.pdf. (E.g. FourSistersPrinting_pms23_raised.pdf)

3) Open original file and select everything that will be printed with color 1. Delete everything else. (Be careful not to save your deletions in your original file!) Next select all elements with color 1 that will be printed with process 2. Delete everything else. Click Save As and create a new file named "YourJob_color1_process2.pdf.

4) Open original file and select everything that will be printed with color 2. Delete everything else. (Be careful not to save your deletions in your original file!) Next select all elements with color 2 that will be printed with process 1. Delete everything else. Click Save As and create a new file named "YourJob_color2_process1.pdf.

Keep going until you have separated out all the colors in your design. If there is a back side go through the same steps for the back.

Submit all separated PDF files along with the composite pdf file.