CMYK Color Mode

CMYK stands for: Cyan Magenta Yellow blacK.

This color mode used in all full color printing. All products offered on our site are printed using a CMYK Printing Process. The CMYK Printing Process blends the four colors together to create different colors. We require that all submitted files are converted to the CMYK color mode prior to uploading. Any file not submitted in the CMYK color mode will be converted prior to printing and will most likly result in a color shift. We DO NOT guarantee final color results on any files submitted in RGB or PMS color modes.

Resolution

Correct resolution is 300 ppi (pixels per inch).

Image resolution describes the detail an image holds. The term applies equally to digital images, and other types of electronic images. Higher resolution means more image detail. Images used on the internet are almost never displayed at a resolution high enough for printing. DO NOT USE IMAGES FROM THE INTERNET IN YOUR FILE DESIGN.

Monitors on your computer can only display up to 72 ppi.

If you increase the dimentions of an electronic image the resolution will go down, and if you reduce the dimentions of an image the resolution will go up. We do NOT guarantee printing quality if files submitted in low resolution are provided.

Text and Image Safety Zone

Correct safety zone is: 1/4 (.25) inches from the cutting edge.

When you design your file, you need to leave at least 1/4 inch (.250) margin between the final cutting edge and the images / text used in your design layout. Although we take great pride in the skills of the persons operating the cutting machines, there is always going to be a slight shift in the paper as the cutting blade decends through the stack of sheets. We guarantee that the final product we will be cut within 1/8 of the desired cutting edge. By keeping your text and images 1/4 inch away from the cutting edge you are assuring that the final product will not cut off any portion of your design elements.

Full Bleeds

Correct bleeds are: 1/8 (.125) inches over the cutting edge.

"Full Bleed" is when the ink goes all the way to the edge of the cut piece. We require that you provide at least 1/8 extra margin for full bleeds. Printers require full bleeds on pieces that have bleed to allow for "printer bounce" when cutting a job down to size. Failing to provide bleed information and crop marks can result in finished pieces showing a thin area of white on the edge. We DO NOT GUARANTEE final cutting results on any files submitted without bleeds that has images, color or text designed to run over the edge of the final cutting line.

Accepted File Types

Please submit your files in any of the following extensions:

File Types NOT Currently Accepted:

Please DO NOT use the following extensions to submit your artwork. We recommend that if you use these programs to create your design, convert your files into PDF's prior to upload.

Crop Marks and Guidelines

Please DO NOT include crop marks or guidelines with your file. We DO NOT GUARANTEE that cropmarks or guidelines will be removed prior to printing.

Raster vs Vector

When preparing your artwork, you should use the correct program to perform the desired task. Photoshop is raster based. Below is a closeup of a raster image. A raster image is made up of pixels (little squares) with a numerical value for their color. All the squares are the same size and places in a grid pattern.

Raster images cannot be scaled up in size because they will look pixelated (like the image above) when printed. Files that are high enough resolution for the printing process are usually very large. We use these for photographs or completed files when we can output a raster image at exactly the size required for printing. We DO NOT GUARANTEE the crispness of any raster file.

Illustrator is a vector based program. A vector image is a collection of connected lines and curves that produce objects. Vector images are defined by math, not pixels. They can be scaled up or down without any loss of quality. Since vector images are composed of objects not pixels, you can change the color of individual objects without worrying about individual pixels. You will want to create all logos and text in a vector format and manage photos in raster based programs. Below is an example of a vector based logo.

Fonts

We recommend using vector based programs to create your fonts and logos for the best printing results. It is important that fonts are properly saved or included for production.

Adobe Illustrator:	Convert all fonts to outlines prior to saving your file. This option is listed under the "Type" tab.
Adobe Photoshop:	Flatten your image under the "Layer" tab.
Include Fonts:	You also have the option of including the fonts used in your design by attaching the font files with your design upload. You will want to create a separate font folder containing all the fonts used, and zip or stuff all your files under one folder prior to upload.

Orientation

Please use the following design orentation when submitting your files. We will print your files back to back as follows:

Business Card Example: