Art Requirements
We highly suggest submitting all artwork via e-mail as vector files with all text converted to curves or outlines, the document color mode set to CMYK, and all colors called out as PANTONE® PMS® colors from the solid coated swatch palette.
When unable to send vector art, a resolution of at least 300 dpi is suggested for all GIF's, JPEG's, and TIFF's [non-vector formats].
Preferred File Formats
- AI - Adobe® Illustrator® [we prefer files saved to version CS]
- CDR - CorelDRAW® [any version]
- EPS - Encapsulated Post Script Note: Artwork created in another program and merely saved as one of these file extensions does not guarantee acceptable artwork [e.g. a JPEG saved in Illustrator® as an "AI" file does not make it a vector file.]
Acceptable File Formats
- Camera Ready Art [see Camera-Ready Art below]
- JPEG - Joint Photographic Experts Group
- GIF - Graphic Interchange Format
- PDF - Portable Document Format
- PSD – Photoshop Document [we prefer files saved to version CS]
- TIFF - Tagged Image Format File [must be saved with its Byte Order as "PC"] Note: These formats will NOT always be acceptable depending on the product being ordered and the quality of the submitted file.
Camera-Ready Art
"Camera-ready art" is flat, sharp, black-and-white line art (graphics and text) that is on smooth paper. Artwork submitted as camera-ready must be able to be scanned into Adobe® Photoshop® and then "Live Traced" in Adobe® Illustrator® without any additional work by a graphic artist. Additional work includes art that has to be retraced, redrawn or reworked on the computer by a graphic artist in any way.
If artwork does not meet required camera-ready specifications, an art preparation fee of $75 per hour will be required with a one-hour minimum. We will notify customer if artwork does not meet required camera-ready specifications before cleaning any art.
To increase perceived resolution it is a good idea to submit your camera-ready artwork at least double the size of the final imprint up to 8.5" x 11". Please do not exceed letter size paper as this is our maximum scannable area.
