We've crafted this guide to streamline your electronic file preparation and submission process. If you encounter any issues not addressed here or have further questions, don't hesitate to reach out. Proper file preparation ensures smooth production without delays.


Printable Ruler

Download our 10 inch printable ruler which fits on a standard 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper.

Printable_Ruler.pdf


Quick Checklist

All fonts are included.

 Type is legible and crisp.
 Page layout is correct.
 Margins are set.
 Artwork matches the specified dimensions.
 All linked files, images, and fonts are placed in separate folders.
 Colours in CMYK mode.

 


 

Prepare Your File

Ensure your file is a PDF, with each file not exceeding 150mb.
For layered files, save your PDF with Adobe 7 (or higher) compatibility.
We do not accept .jpg, .png, .ai, .psd, .tiff, or other formats.

 

 



Die Cut Guidelines

►  Substrates thicker than 1/8” require 3/8” radius for inside cuts.
►  No contour cuts for 10mm Coroplast.
►  We may simplify complex cut paths for better quality.
 

 



File Setup for CMYK + Spot White

►  Your file must include layers.
►  Clearly label your white layer as “Spot White” and your CMYK layer as “CMYK”.
►  Create a swatch named “Spot White”.
►  Make sure the areas you want to print white are colored with that swatch.

Saving your file for CMYK + White

►  Save your file as a PDF. No other file types are accepted.
►  Choose Adobe 7 (or higher) compatibility when saving your PDF to preserve your layers.
►  Under Options, make sure “Create Acrobat Layers from Top-Level Layers” is checked.

 


Bleeds

A 1/8" border must be added to pictures and designs bleeding to the edge, so that there is no white space or border showing around the artwork. It is also important to keep text at least a 1/4" away from the paper edge or the trim line to prevent accidental cropping.

 
 

Spot UV Coating

Explore the remarkable potential of Spot UV Coating, a technique that applies a glossy varnish selectively onto designated areas of a printed piece. This method creates a pronounced contrast between the coated and uncoated surfaces, amplifying the visual impact of your design.
 

By enriching colors and providing a sleek, reflective finish, Spot UV coating elevates the overall aesthetics of your print materials. Whether it's accentuating logos, embellishing images, or emphasizing intricate details, this process adds a touch of sophistication and allure to your creations, captivating viewers with its remarkable visual appeal.

 


Colour Specification


Print previews are not a safe and sure measuring tool for colour accuracy. Colours on the file might be effected by monitor calibration, screen resolution and lighting, just to name a few. Many Pantone colours show a marked colour shift when converted to four colour process (CMYK).
For one, two or three colour jobs printed in Pantone spot colour, make sure your colours are specified as spot colour and they separate correctly. You can test this by printing separations on your laser printer.
To achieve the desired colour, digital files must reflect accurate colour models and percentage. Please make sure all colours are in CMYK mode for colour accuracy.
 

 
 

Image Resolutions

 All images and pictures should be 300 dpi.
 Rasterized text or logos should be 1200 dpi.
 Screen values should be between 133 lpi and 150 lpi.

 

Guidelines by Application

The following outlines the specific file requirements by application. If you have any questions, please contact our graphics department.

 

Adobe Photoshop

 Files should be 300 dpi at 100% of actual size for quality offset reproduction.
 Files should be saved in PDF format (embed all fonts and set the screen value to 133 lpi.)
 
 

Digital Proofs

We provide PDF files as electronic soft proofs. These digital proofs intend to show you the layout and design elements of your job, but cannot be a guarantee of colour accuracy. If colour accuracy is of extreme importance to you, please ask for a hard copy proof. Scan all transparencies and line art at 100% of final size unless data size is prohibitive. If such a case occurs, scan at 1/4 or 1/2 of final size.  Scan all transparencies and line art at 100% of final size unless data size is prohibitive. If such a case occurs, scan at 1/4 or 1/2 of final size.