Check our Specs

For best results please follow our guidelines when preparing your files. You are responsible for the correctness of your files.

File Formats

We accept the following file formats: PDF, TIF, TIFF, JPG, EPS, AI, PSD. We recommend setting up your file as a PDF. PDF is vector-based, which will produce sharper graphics than pixel-based formats. Please do not upload Word, Publisher, Correl Draw or any other consumer based file formats. These are not suitable for commercial print.

Resolution

All file formats must have a minimum of 300 dpi (dot per inch) resolution. Images designed for the web usually have a screen resolution of 72 dpi. Print images need to be created at 300 dpi or there will be a substantial drop in the image quality. This is why it is not good practice to simply lift images off the web.

resolution_comparison

High Colour Density

A very high application of ink in one spot may not dry properly and result in smear. We do not recommend using a colour density higher than 300%.

Low Colour Density and Gradient Colour

Working with a very low colour density (up to about 10 or 15%) always incurs a certain amount of unpredictability. Depending on offset ink application and the paper used, the colours might have a diminished visibility, and gradient designs (fades to white) might not start or end exactly where you intend. When a gradient is used it is crucial that it should be created in Adobe Photoshop, which has proven to give good results. Other programs produce gradients of less than 10%, which our RIPs will interpret as 0%. This results in banding or striping, which frequently makes customer’s unhappy.

Rich Black

Areas of solid black in your artwork must be set using the following colour values. Rich black: C 60%, M 40%, Y 40%, K 100%.

Colour Appearance

Your monitor does not accurately display the colours as they will look in print. In general, colours look brighter on screen. If you are trying to achieve an exact colour reproduction it is strongly suggested that you request a hard copy proof.

Borders

Borders are not recommended as shifting in the cutting process may make borders appear uneven.

Safe Zone

All critical elements (text, images, logos, etc.) must be kept at least 0.125″ inside the edge. Anything left close to edge may be cut off during trimming.

Bleed

When you do not want a white border on your printing and you want the image to extend beyond the edge of the page you must include a bleed. Any time an image is printed to the edge of a page, the image should extend at least 0.1” off the edge so that when the page is trimmed on a mechanical cutter, small variations in the trim will not result in a white line down the edge of the page.

We highly recommend that you download a template and design your files on these templates to ensure proper bleed. Add 0 .1″ bleed to each dimension (or 0.05″ bleed on all four sides) for the following products:

  • business cards
  • bookmarks
  • CD and DVD packages
  • club flyers
  • collectors cards
  • event tickets
  • postcards
  • rack cards
  • stickers
  • table toppers
  • tent cards

Add 0.125″ (1/8″) bleed to each dimension (or 0.0625″ bleed on all four sides) for the following products:

  • brochures
  • door hangers
  • perforated door hangers
  • envelopes
  • flyers
  • hang tags
  • letterhead
  • mini menus
  • notepads
  • posters
  • staggered cut flyers
  • posters (wide)
  • retractable banners
  • baggage tags

Add 0.225″ bleed to each dimension (or 0.1125″ bleed on all four sides) for presentation folders.
Add 0.375″ bleed to each dimension (or 0.1875″ bleed on all four sides) for booklets, calendars, and catalogs.

Crop Marks

Please build your press-ready digital files by adding crop marks. These are lines indicating where the paper should be cut to produce the correct size.

Fonts

  • Fonts must be embedded in PDF files.
  • Fonts must be outlined or converted to paths or curves in EPS files.
  • Some fonts have copyright restrictions and will not embed in PDF Files.
  • Quark Express: Fonts and images must be included with all files submitted (mac only)

Common Sources of Delay

  • Files with no bleeds or the wrong sized bleeds
  • 72dpi or other low resolution files (files must be 300dpi)
  • Improperly sized files. We recommended using our templates.
  • Files with text or other critical elements placed too close to the trim line.
  • Missing fonts.
  • Missing images.
  • Client does the imposition of the file themselves. Please do not gang up/impose the file yourself. Only supply artwork 1 up like the templates.

Please Feel Free to Contact Us

780.465.3936

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