The simplicity and fast ordering procedure of online printing made it one of the fastest-growing sectors, not to mention the fact that you may do it anywhere at any time. You must check that your files are completely prepared before uploading them and submitting an order to get your prints looking exactly as you desire.

If you’re visiting, it’s because you’re seeking for someone to lead you in the right direction.

Take a look at the following steps to learn how to prepare your files for the printing press. Start by briefly reviewing your file(s) and asking yourself the following questions:

1. Are all the images clear and do the files meet the DPI requirements of the product you’re printing? 

If your pictures and images are pixelated or blurry, you’ll be dissatisfied. Even if the photographs appear perfect on your screen, photos and pictures need a specific DPI/resolution in order to come out clear on paper. Unless otherwise stated, we recommend 300-350 dpi.

2. Have you double-checked spelling, numbers, and overall content information for accuracy?  

We cannot emphasize this enough – especially because our processing staff will not be verifying this for you. Make sure everything is spelled correctly and that all of the information you’ve provided is correct. Having a typing error in your work is the last thing you want, particularly since it’s something that may be readily prevented.

3. Is the text size you’ve selected legible? 

If you don’t have a printer that supports large font sizes, consider using one. We recommend nothing smaller than 8 points for legibility across the board. For peace of mind, we also suggest doing a test with your home printer to see how big the type is in relation to the print size you’ve chosen.

4. Is your artwork properly centered and aligned? 

There’s nothing worse than finding a somewhat crooked component in a print that wasn’t planned, especially if the rest of the design is flawless. Many design programs offer alignment instructions to assist you.

5. Are your files flattened and fonts outlined? 

It’s critical to flatten your files before uploading them so that layers do not get erased or misaligned during the printing process. Furthermore, if your typefaces aren’t outlined, a different font may be used instead.

6. Does the orientation (horizontal or vertical) of your files match what you’re going to select on the order form? 

Your files should be oriented in the same way you want them to be when they’re printed.

7. Will the right side of your “Front” file align with the left side of your “Back” file when printed? 

Most of the time, both the front and rear files for this product type must be upright. However, certain products like as Greeting Cards, Brochures, Folded Hang Tags, and Folded Business Cards require additional procedures.

There are a few last things we’d want to go over with you before you finalize and upload your files so that your prints come out exactly the way you intended!

File Types & Color Modes

We support the following file types for upload: TIF, TIFF, EPS, AI, PSD, BMP, GIF, JPG, PNG, and PDF. If you’re uploading an AI file with images that aren’t properly embedded or linked , please double-check.

Unless otherwise stated, all print files should be in CMYK color mode. You can upload in RGB mode, but don’t expect your printed colors to match what you’re thinking on your screen. Before saving your completed design for upload, you may convert it to CMYK format. To find out which color mode is ideal, please verify the File Setup tab for each product for the proper color mode.

Bleed, Trim, and Safety Line

What are the three colored lines on the view instant proof screen and what do they signify?

Black: Bleed line – Make sure the backdrop and any elements intended to go on the edge extend all the way to the bleed line.

Pink: Trim line – The product will be trimmed to its final length along this zone. Due to the cutting changes, borders are not suggested.

Blue: Safety line – Inside this line, keep only text and photos. Anything outside of this area is likely to be deleted.

Our take on Borders in designs: Due to the risk of cutting shifts, we advise you against printing designs with borders. If your design has a border, we recommend that it fall within safe zone parameters and go all the way to the bleed line.

If you want to ensure that your designs comply with the 3 colored lines, we provide useful templates for each product that will serve as a guide while you’re designing your prints.