Print Specifications

Please submit files in industry standard formats, that are not dependent on the application, fonts or other separate design elements used in creation. We accept the following file formats: .TIF, .JPG and .PDF. All file formats must be flattened, at actual size, have a resolution of 300dpi and embedded or outlined fonts.

We have provided steps for many different programs to achieve this format. If you have any questions or are unable to supply in this format, please contact us and we will help you.

Located below you will find these sections:

Quick File Setup/Instructions:


  1. Files must be at least 300 dpi resolution
  2. Files must be at actual size with the necessary print bleed (For example, a 3.5"x2" card needs a 3.5"x2" size art file. If your artwork has a print bleed, the artwork must be 3.75"x2.25" with no text or images 0.375" from the edge.)
  3. For rich black please use C:50% / M:40% / Y:40% / K:100%
  4. CMYK Color Mode : If you do not send us CMYK artwork we will convert your files to CMYK and "color shifting" may occur!
  5. Artwork should not contain any crop marks!
  6. Keep anything you do not want cutoff at least 0.25" away from all edges
    7.

Detailed File Setup/Instructions:

Here is a general example of how to layout a flyer with the appropriate amount of bleed. Please follow these instructions for any size flyer.

ARTWORK MUST HAVE 0.125" FOR BLEED AND 0.125" FOR SAFETY ON ALL SIDES.
We can not guarantee any print job cuts without the bleed

Good Card

Bad Card

General File Prep. per Graphic Program:

InDesign

  1. Set your New Document to the exact size of your finished print (3.5”x2”, 5”x7”, 8.5”x11, 11”x17”, 60”x36” etc.).
  2. Set Bleed at 0.125” on all sides.
  3. Set resolution to 300 dpi and color mode to CMYK.
  4. Save files as ‘PDF” or "JPEG" or "TIFF" with Maximum quality.
*NOTE: If you are designing a booklet, please submit your artwork in single page format (not spreads) with the necessary bleed. Please contact us at 808-949-5554 if you have any booklet artwork setup questions.

Illustrator

  1. Set your New Document to the exact size of your finished print (3.5”x2”, 5”x7”, 8.5”x11, 11”x17”, 60”x36” etc.)
  2. Set Bleed at 0.125” on all sides
  3. Set resolution to 300 dpi and color mode to CMYK.
  4. In Illustrator, "Select All" and go to the "Type" menu selection and "Create Outlines". All text within files must be converted to outlines with the outline set to zero to eliminate the need for fonts.
  5. Save files as “PDF” or "JPEG" or "TIFF" with Maximum quality.

Photoshop

  1. Set your New Document to the exact size of your finished print (3.5”x2”, 5”x7”, 8.5”x11, 11”x17”, 60”x36” etc.)
  2. Set Bleed at 0.125” on all sides
  3. Set resolution to 300 dpi and color mode to CMYK.
  4. Save files as ‘PDF” or "JPEG" or "TIFF" with Maximum quality.

Canva

  1. Set your New Document to the exact size of your finished print (3.5”x2”, 5”x7”, 8.5”x11, 11”x17”, 60”x36” etc.)
  2. Select File, Show Print Bleed. Do not place any important images or text between the dotted print bleed line and the edge of your artwork.
  3. Select Share, Download ad PDF file type

Quark Xpress

  1. From the file menu in Quark select: "Save page as EPS..."
  2. Name the file and press "Save".
  3. Open the Quark EPS file into Adobe Illustrator, "Select All" and go to the "Type" menu selection and "Create Outlines". All text on files must be converted to outlines with the outline set to zero to eliminate the need for fonts.
  4. Save file as Illustrator EPS with placed images included.
  5. Open Illustrator EPS file into Photoshop.
  6. In Photoshop set resolution to 300 dpi and mode to CMYK.
  7. Save files as "JPEG" or "TIFF" with Maximum quality.

Freehand

  1. Go to "Edit"; "Select"; "All" and then go to the menu selection "Text" then "Convert to Paths". All text within files must be converted to paths with the stroke set to zero to eliminate the need for fonts to be sent to us.
  2. Export file as EPS with placed images included.
  3. Open EPS file into Photoshop.
  4. In Photoshop set resolution to 300 dpi and mode to CMYK.
  5. Save files as "JPEG" or "TIFF" with Maximum quality.

PageMaker

  1. From the menu select: "file"; "print"
  2. Select the page to convert.
  3. Select the "option" button.
  4. Select the "Write Postscript to file" box.
  5. Select the "EPS" button
  6. Set the "Download Font:" to "PostScript and TrueType"
  7. Press "Save as" button, then name file and set destination by pressing the "OK" button.
  8. Press the "Save" button
  9. Open the PageMaker generated EPS file into Illustrator.
  10. In Illustrator "Select All" and go to the "Type" menu selection and "Create Outlines". All text on files must be converted to outlines with the outline set to zero to eliminate the need for fonts.
  11. Save file as Illustrator EPS with placed images included.
  12. Open Illustrator EPS file into Photoshop.
  13. In Photoshop set resolution to 300 dpi and mode to CMYK.
  14. Save files as "JPEG" or "TIFF" with Maximum quality.

Publisher

  1. Open the document
  2. Go to the Page Design menu.
  3. Set the Page Margins at 0.5”. Do not include any important images or text outside of the margins.
  4. Set the Page Size at the exact size of your final print (3.5”x2”, 5”x7”, 8.5”x11, 11”x17”, 60”x36” etc.)
  5. Save as a PDF.

Digital Proof Disclaimer