Tips & Guides

IMPORTANT:Please follow this guide to reduce potential problems. Well formatted files result in faster turn-around times and the most accurate final product.

Compatible Applications

• Adobe Acrobat
• Illustrator CS5
• Photoshop CS5
• Indesign CS5

Compatible File Formats

• JPG - Saved with maximum quality possible (settings under image options).
• TIFF - Saved with LZW compression.
• PSD - CMYK colour mode with all layers flattened.
• PDF - Hi-Resolution images embedded. Saved with “Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities” on.
• EPS - Saved with “embed fonts for other applications” feature turned on.
• AI - PDF compatible file. Saved with “compression option” on.
• INDD - With multiple pages saved in separate files.

Artwork Checklist

• Size: Verify the dimensions and orientation of your artwork.
• Colour: Set the colour mode to CMYK (We print In CMYK mode only).
• Pantone Colour: All objects with pantone referenced colours must be on a separate layer.
• Fonts: All fonts must be converted to outlines.
• Bleed: A ¼” to ½” bleed must be included in artwork.
• Transparency: All transparencies must be flattened.
• Layer: Artwork layers must be flattened except the layers for cut contours and pantone colours.
• Effects: Rasterize all effects/filters with a reasonable resolution (see the resolution section).
• Resolution: We output bitmap graphics on a large format printer. When setting up your files, the resolution must be a min of 100 DPI to a max of 150 DPI at desired output (100%) size.
• Linked Images: Embed all links or provide us with all the linked images in a folder called “links”. Note: Never use low-resolution images (i.e. screenshots, low-resolution web images, etc.).

Special Prints

• Backlit CMYK – Indicate backlit mode in your order for prints that are lit from behind.
• White Print– Make an “alpha channel” in photoshop or add a “white layer” in vector software
• Indicate if the white should be in backlit mode (200% density).
• Indicate if you require the white printing to be over or under print.

Colour Matching

• If a Colour Proof has not been requested (additional charge), we will print directly from the file(s) provided. The customer waives the right to dispute any colour discrepancies.
• We print in CMYK only.
• If Colour Matching is required, we will colour match with the exception that some spot (Pantone) colours cannot be matched 100%, due to the nature of our printing process and the limitations of the inks.

Artwork Submission

• Email 10mb or less.
• DropBox 300mb or less.
• DVD, CD, USB 300mb and over.
• Compressing your le may make file transfer easier (.zip, .sit,.rar).