When creating artwork in Photoshop, be sure that the resolution is set to 355 ppi (pixels per inch) and mode is set to CMYK Color.
Photoshop CS Users:
Please make sure that your artwork is submitted as 8 bit color mode, not 16 bit. We are unable to print 16 bit colors.
Does your artwork have .25" bleeds?
We recommend a .25" (.125 on each edge)bleed be included. If your image has a white border on all four sides, bleeds are recommended but not required. If your image is not white on all four sides, you MUST include bleeds in your files. More information about bleeds.
Does your artwork have borders?
The cutting process for printed materials has a mechanical tolerance of about .0625 or 1/16 of an inch. When using a border in your artwork, it is essential that your design use at least .25 or 1/4 of an inch of white space from your border to the cut line to maintain a symmetrical appearance. More information about borders.
2. Guidelines
Create guidelines:
Show rulers (View>Rulers)
Click on the rulers and drag a
guideline to the desired mark
This will help you line up your text/images to our template guides.
3. Adding Images
Adding an Image
Open your hi-res file (File>Open)
Check the resolution of your file and make sure it's set at 355 ppi (Image>Image Size)
What is Resolution?
For an image to print properly, the image must be at least 300 pixels per inch (PPI) at the final output size *355 ppi is better! DO NOT try to change from a low resolution to a higher one by increasing the DPI in your imaging program. More information about resolution.
When opening EPS files in Photoshop, make sure that...
Resolution is set to 355 ppi
Mode is set to CMYK Color
Anti-aliasing is turned ON
4. Color
Set Color Mode
All files must be CMYK. If your art was not created in or converted to CMYK, do so now. Image>Mode>CMYK Color
What is CMYK color mode?
The color mode of submitted files must be CMYK. If your files are submitted using any other color standard, such as RGB or Pantone, they will be converted to CMYK. Conversion from one color standard to another may cause colors to shift. More information about CMYK color mode.
Does your artwork contain gradients?
Gradients are commonly used in printing and in most instances produce good results. Gradients can be represented in a file as a mathematical equation (Vector) or rendered by the application into a series of pixels (Raster). Whether created as rasters or vectors, gradients below 10% may not reproduce accurately. More information about gradients.
Does your artwork contain solid black?
When you want an area of solid black within a document, 100% black (K) will not result in a solid, saturated black. Instead, use Rich Black, as represented by C:50% / M:40% / Y:40% / K:100%.
5. Flatten Layers
Flatten Layers
Flatten all Photoshop layers before saving artwork for submission.
We strongly suggest that you create a backup file before you flatten the layers.
From the Layer pallet, see left, or from
the menu (Layer>Flatten Image)
6. Saving Your File
File Format
Save your file as one of the following:
.EPS, .TIF, .JPG, .PSD
Open a new document (File>New)
