If your artwork covers the whole page, you need a bleed. A bleed is an extension of the artwork that extends past the trim line. At least 1/8" (.125 in) is required. When your product is trimmed to size, a bleed prevents us from trimming too much of your image off, or from leaving a "gap" between your image and the page edge.

Trim marks or trim lines, mark the cutting area and finished size of the final product.

Ensuring that the text, logos, graphics, etc., are placed at least 1/8" (.125 in) from your page edge will prevent those details from being trimmed off or appearing too crowded on the finished trimmed page.

Resolution refers to the amount of pixels (single spots of colour) that make up an image.  The higher the resolution, the more pixels and therefore the denser and more detailed the image.  300dpi photo resolution is ideal for printing.

*Pictures that are taken off the internet are not suitable for printing because they have a low resolution.

 It is your responsibility to check over spelling, dates, grammar, and other details before sending us your files.

 Yes, but we’d prefer PDF files generated from Microsoft programs.  Microsoft programs tend to change formatting to the default settings of each user.  A PDF file ensures your file formats remain in place.

 

The programs we prefer to work with are:

Adobe InDesign CS-CS5 (file extension .indd)

Adobe Illustrator CS-CS5 (file extension .ai)

Adobe Photoshop CS-CS5 (file extension .psd)         

Corel X4 (file extension .cdr)

 

Ideal file types:

Portable Document Format (file extension .pdf) *If using Microsoft programs, print document to PDF file

Encapsulated Postscript (file extension .eps) *Generated through vector based programs

Depending which program you’re using, there is an option to convert text to outlines or curves which renders text as objects.  Any linked graphics need to be embedded in the file directly or sent along with your artwork in a zipped file (root folder with subfolders).

 Compressing your file flattens everything down (text, images, gradients) to one graphic.  This ensures that we won’t have any problems on our end with missing fonts or unlinked/un-embedded images.  Compressing your file also decreases file size.  If your file is too large to email, compressing it to one layer or graphic may resolve this.

No, computers assign RBG values to colour and settings vary from monitor to monitor.  As well, monitors illuminate from behind as opposed to printed materials which reflect light. 

Yes, our rich black values for vector objects are CMYK 50/40/40/100 and bitmap images are CMYK 75/65/65/100. 

No and it’s requested you don’t impose your artwork.  We have software for imposing which follows specific guidelines and ensures efficient and accurate layouts.  All we need are single pages of your artwork or documents with proper bleeds and margins.

Vector is a format of graphics based on mathematical equations of points, lines and curves.  This format allows graphics to be blown up as large as possible or shrunk down to miniature sizes without losing detail or quality.  Vector can only be created in specialized design software such as Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign and Corel Draw to name a few. 

Scale refers to the finished size of the document and dimension refers to the size proportions of the artwork.  If you have artwork designed to fit an 8.5” x 11” size sheet and want it printed on a poster size of 11” x 17”, the artwork will not fit this new scale proportionately as 11” x 17” is tall and narrow and 8.5” x 11” is wider and shorter.