Accepted File Types:

Colors:

Make sure artwork is in CMYK. It is best to design in CMYK rather than converting a RGB file later for print. When you convert from RGB to CMYK, colors usually become darker.

Colors must be CMYK we do NOT print in RGB or Pantone Colors.

When you are designing a black and white postcard double check that the file is grayscale and the black is 100% rather than it being a 4-color black. If it is a CMYK black than it will be charged as 4-color, or you will be charged design time to convert the file.

Color Matching: Colors you see on your monitor or output from most inkjet printers will NOT accurately reflect the actual colors we print on our CMYK 4-color process printing. If you are concerned about color, purchase a color proof from us to review before we go to print.

We will do our best to match colors but because of variations inherent in the printing process we cannot guarantee an exact match.

Try to limit the size of large solid areas of one color, as these might result in poor quality. Try to add noise/pattern to the area.

Graphics:

Make sure all artwork is at least 300 DPI. If your design is lower than 300 DPI the image will be choppy and jagged. Trying to increase the resolution will only make the design or image blurry.

Graphic files can be reduced in size, but will pixilated if enlarged.

Never take images off the web, unless they say high resolution. Web images are only 72 DPI, very small RGB files. These low-resolution images will print very poorly.

DO NOT include gif files for digital printing.

If we feel your art will print poorly, but you want to use it anyway, you may be required to sign a waiver before we proceed.

If you are using transparencies or filters, please flatten all files before they are sent over.

• Print Resolutions:
• Graphics At Least * 300 DPI
• Text or Vector * 600 - 1200 DPI

Design:

Please Include bleeds with your design files. Make sure bleed size is ⅛ inch larger than the design file on all sides, and that all the content is at least ⅛ inch away from trim size. This will ensure that there is no white edge and no important information gets cut off.

Please layout your design files 1-up with no printer or crop marks.

Make sure to include the correct address space needed if we are to print a barcode on your presorted mailing.

Please contact your customer service rep for more detail

When your designs have any type of lines, make sure it is not a "hairline", as these will not print well. Set the line to at least .25 points or .003 inches in width.

Borders less than .25 cannot be guaranteed the same size on all trim edges.

Contact us for other specs and sizes

Fonts:

Please include all fonts with your design files or convert fonts to outlines in your graphic files. Use OTF fonts for cross platform (mac/pc) ability.

However we do recommend providing a "Print Ready PDF" as your final print file.
(See Details Below)

Print Ready PDF files:

A PDF made to the printer's specs is better than native files, although, If changes are needed files must go back to the designer for edits.

• If you have the choice use distiller to create your PDF files.
• Embed all fonts
• Do NOT subset fonts
• True Type Font: Download as soft font
• Postscript Output Option: Optimize for portability
• True Type Font Download: Outlines

Download our pre-defined settings for Adobe Distiller; Distiller job Options, and learn how to use our defined options here.

If you do Not have distiller, and you are using In-design or Quark please use the Press Quality PDF setting with all fonts embedded.

Customer In-House Preflight

Have the designer preflight their files before they are packaged and sent. This will save time and issues.

• Graphics are CMYK
• Fonts are flattened or included
• Linked Graphic files are included
• Graphic files are Flattened / Print Ready
• Bleed / Safety Zone area is correct