Files Setup & Uploading

Following a few file preparations will help ensure that your project is done right the first time. It is important to make sure your document is in the correct color format with proper bleed areas. CMYK, or 4-color process, is the color mode used for printing and the one you want your document to be in. Resolution is also key! Higher resolutions produce sharper images. Lower resolutions can appear fuzzy or pixelated. If you have any questions about quality, please feel free to contact us!

Uploading your files

Please review the setup tips below before sending us your artwork. Small files can be sent to us via email at qip91773@aol.com. If you have any questions regarding setup, please give us a call!

FOR FILES LARGER THAN 10MB, PLEASE USE OUR HIGHTAIL LINK

Upload File

Include your name and contact info along with any pertinent info regarding the job you are needing printed. Please call us once you have uploaded your artwork to confirm delivery.

BLEEDS

The “bleed” area refers to any part of your document that you want to print to the edge of the paper. In essence, it “bleeds” off the edge of the paper. When setting up your document, please add a 0.125″ (1/8″) bleed to all edges of your document. Below demonstrates how to set this up in InDesign. If you are working in Microsoft Publisher or a similar layout program, simply make your document 0.125″ larger on all sides to account for bleed. Be aware that no important information or imagery is near the edge as this will be trimmed off during the cutting process.

RESOLUTION

Resolution is key to having a successfully printed job. All artwork should have a resolution of at least 300 ppi (pixels per inch within your image). This will affect the print size and quality of your image. If there are too few pixels per inch, your image may appear pixelated or fuzzy. Keep in mind that lower resolution images may look fine on your screen but will not print that way. Most images taken off the internet are only 72 ppi (screen resolution). If purchasing images from iStock photo or a similar website, they usually give you options in regards to resolution. Always select images that are 300 ppi. The screenshot below demonstrates how to check your resolution in Adobe Photoshop.

COLOR MODES

The color mode of your document should be set to CMYK and not RGB. CMYK, which stands for cyan, magenta, yellow, and key (black), are the inks used for all printed materials. This is called a substractive color system; when all the colors are mixed, they create black. RGB (red, green, blue) color mode is used for images on computer screens. This is called an additive color system; when all the colors are mixed, they create white. Be aware that converting images from RGB to CMYK can cause colors to change or take on strange hues. If your project is requiring spot colors or clear coat, plea

Converting Text To Outlines

If you are working in Adobe InDesign or Illustrator, please embed all fonts or convert them to outlines. We prefer to have fonts converted to outlines. Keep in mind that many fonts downloaded for free from the internet cannot always be embedded into your file prior to converting to outlines. If you send it before converting to outlines and we do not have the font you used, it will default to a generic typeface. If you are working with a .JPG or .TIFF file, rasterize your fonts.