Print Files Checklist
We have made a checklist to help designers submit proper files for print. We make every effort to help our customers with their
files, however many problems are unable to be repaired. If you have any questions
or concerns about our files, please
• Is The File Type Correct?
We prefer PDF, however, we accept industry standard cross platform file types
such as: JPG, EPS, PDF, PS, PSD, TIF, AI.
Quark & Indesign:
We can accept In-Design or Quark natively, however we do NOT recommend this. The
most often overlooked step when using Quark and Indesign is to have missing
links to images and clicking through the error when it tells you. This will
result in having crisp, defined text and blurry unviewable pictures. Any
pictures included in your document will print pixilated and low resolution when
they are not linked correctly when outputting your InDesign or Quark file. We
recommend outputting to PDF prior to giving us your files eliminating the
“Collecting For Output” step. Please review all of your images on your document
BEFORE sending to us for print.
Word, Publisher and other Microsoft programs:
We DO NOT recommend using Publisher or other Microsoft programs for your print
files. Microsoft programs do not output professionally. Please contact us for a
detailed explanation, or trust us, and do not use publisher for your documents.
If you require to do so: Please use distiller to get a PDF or when using
Publisher please “save as” a commercial print(300dpi) TIF.
Please note: If you are using images off of the internet for your design your
images will not output correctly. Additionally, you are violating copywright
laws. We have access to a large resource of royalty free images for use by our
customers. Please contact us for more information. Also, files output from
Publisher will reproduce text as 4 color black and will normally print more
fuzzy than other programs.
Illustrator, Freehand or Other Vector Programs:
Please convert ALL fonts to outlines, this insures your fonts will be objects as
apposed to outputting incorrectly if we do not have your fonts on file. This is
a very important, and often overlooked step.
• Is your final print document at the correct size and 300dpi?
Your final print files should be at the exact size and at 300dpi. This means
every inch of art should be composed of 300 pixels. For a 10 inch document, it
should be composed of 3000 pixels (300 dots per inch x 10 inches = 3000
dots/pixels) This is a proper and detailed resolution.
Note: You can always “reduce” your resolution but never “increase” your
resolution. Using files that are 72dpi from the internet and placing them in a
300dpi document does NOT make them 300dpi. This is a sure way to have blurry,
unprofessional images in your document. Printing works with the “garbage-in =
garbage-out” rule. This means, if you give us unprofessional files to print,
they will absolutely print unprofessional. We simply can not make something bad
look better. If you have a problem with this, please contact a representative to
review your files.
• Are you viewing your colors in CMYK(and not Pantone or RGB?)
Our commercial printing equipment uses process color. Process color utilizes
Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black to reproduce the full color spectrum. CMYK is
different then how your monitor displays colors. Be sure to know the difference
when you are sending your files, as RGB files converted to CMYK will shift
considerably and we do not want you to be surprised with your colors output.
Additionally, Pantone is a mixed color system used for spot colors and can not
be reproduced accurately with the CMYK process. Many times your pantone color
will convert to CMYK with close representation, however accuracy is not
guaranteed.
If you require a spot color please contact us. Our printing press can output a
5th color for your spot requirements. The cost is $200.
Color Matching: Colors you see on your monitor will NOT accurately reflect
colors on your final process color printing. If you are concerned about color,
purchase a color proof from us to review before we go to print. When using our
digital services we can output a proof for you on the exact paper you request.
We'll do all our best to match colors but because of variations inherent in the
printing process we cannot guarantee an exact match.
Remember: The PDF proofs are not made for color matching and only for content.
If we see something that will not output correctly we will contact you, however
we can not be held responsible for color differences.
• Check Your Bleeds and Safety Area
A bleed is the extra area that extends past the edges of your document. For
example, if you have a 4.25x5.5 print document, you should design your image as
4.5x5.75 leaving the extra 1/8th on all sides for bleed. Your background should
run off the edge and into your bleed. The bleed will be cut off. It is important
that you do not keep any active content such as text or images that are
important to the document in the bleed or safety areas. Active content in this
area risks being cut off.
Safety area is an 1/8th of an inch inwards from the document edge. Please keep
all words and images away from the edge to ensure proper cutting.
Although our cutting staff is extremely precise, we can not guarantee any print
job cuts with out the added bleed. There are no exceptions. Also, please keep
your text at least 1/4" away from the edge of the piece unless it is an eighth
page or smaller. This way your text is in a "safe" area. If you have any
questions regarding this policy you may call us, or use our design templates
located on our website.
• Are your files named correctly?
We prefer files submitted to our website to have the order number in the name of
the file. If this is not possible, please name the file something unique and
which reflects your company name or job specifics. Please do not name your files
generically such as front.tif and back.tif or postcard1.jpg and postcard2.jpg.
If those files are mixed with other jobs, you risk your files being output
incorrectly. Also, if you are using the same image for both sides or your
document is 1 sided, please let us know. If not, we may assume that if we have 1
document, it is truly one sided.
• Convert your fonts to outlines (Are you using live fonts?)
If you are using a program that uses live fonts such as Illustrator or Indesign,
please convert your fonts to objects/outlines/curves so we do not require you to
submit your fonts with your files. A common mistake is when clients do not
convert their fonts and the font defaults to a less desirable font. This will
wreck formatting and create a unsuable print job. Please make sure your fonts
are not live. Rasterized images such as flattened TIFs, JPGS, or FLATTENED PDFs
do not have this issue.
• Are your blacks built correctly?
Small text and hard lines under 16pt should utilize 1 color black (100% black)
to ensure crisp reproduction. If you build your blacks with 4 colors on small
text areas they will produce blurry and at times unreadable. This is because
paper slightly shifts during the printing process (+/- .00001 inch) and results
in registration problems. It is only noticeable in small detailed text.
Alternatively, 1 color black will actually reproduce dark grey if used in areas
larger than 16pt. Please use a “rich” black such as cyan: 40%, magenta: 40%,
yellow: 0%, black: 100% when using black in large areas.
Lastly, please do not use any color combination that uses more than 70% of all 4
colors at the same time. This extremely dense color combination will not dry
properly and present picking, and offsetting on your final product.
• Did you read and understand our terms and conditions?
We try very hard to make it clear of what our clients should expect of the
reproduction process and how our company works. Printing is an intricate and
detailed science. Please read over our policies and if you have any questions
about them, please contact us directly. We want to make sure that you understand
how our company works before your place an order so you will be completely
satisfied through the entire production process.
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