File Setup Guidelines

A print-ready file includes everything needed to move your project into production without additional artwork changes. The file should be created at the correct size, include the required bleed and safe zone, use the appropriate color settings, and contain high-resolution images. Fonts should be outlined or included with packaged native files, and all linked images should be embedded or provided.

Document Size: 

Create your artwork at the final size of the finished product whenever possible. If your file must be submitted at a reduced scale, clearly indicate the scale used.

Bleed:

If a color, image, or design element extends to the edge of the finished piece, it must extend ⅛ inch beyond the trim edge on every side. This extra printed area allows the piece to be trimmed without leaving an unintended white edge. For example, a standard 3.5 × 2-inch business card with full bleed should be submitted at 3.75 × 2.25 inches. The additional ⅛ inch on each side will be trimmed away during production.

Safe Zone: 

Keep all important text, logos, and design elements at least ⅛ inch inside the trim edge, or ¼ inch inside the bleed edge. For a standard 3.5 × 2-inch business card, the safe design area would be no larger than 3.25 × 1.75 inches. Elements placed outside the safe zone may be trimmed or appear too close to the finished edge.

Trim Marks:

Unless otherwise requested, trim marks are not necessary. If they are included, make sure they are placed outside the bleed area and do not overlap the artwork.

Artwork submitted for print should be created using CMYK or spot colors, depending on the production method for your project. Files created in RGB are designed for screens and must be converted before printing. Because this conversion can cause colors to shift, we cannot guarantee an exact color match from RGB artwork.

CMYK printing uses cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks to reproduce a wide range of colors. It is commonly used for full-color artwork containing photographs, gradients, shading, or multiple colors.

Spot-color printing uses individually mixed inks to produce specific colors. 

If an exact brand color is important, please provide the appropriate Pantone Matching System (PMS) number and identify it correctly within your artwork. Without a specified PMS color, we cannot guarantee an exact color match.

Keep in mind that colors may appear differently from one screen or printer to another. On-screen proofs are intended to show artwork placement and content and should not be used as an exact representation of final printed color.

For the best print quality, all photographs and raster images should have a resolution of 300 DPI at the size they will be printed. Enlarging a low-resolution image does not improve its quality and may cause it to appear blurry, pixelated, or uneven when printed.

Avoid using images copied or saved from websites, social media, screenshots, or online searches. These images are usually optimized for screen viewing and may not have enough resolution to reproduce clearly in print. Whenever possible, provide the original, highest-resolution version of the image.

Logos and illustrations should preferably be submitted as vector artwork, such as AI, EPS, or vector PDF files. Vector graphics can be resized without losing clarity, making them ideal for sharp text, logos, and line art.

All images used in your artwork should be embedded in the file or included with a packaged native file. If you’re unsure whether an image is suitable for printing, our Art Department will be happy to review it before production.

Whenever possible, please submit your artwork as a press-ready PDF. A properly prepared PDF helps preserve your file’s layout, colors, fonts, and image quality as it moves into production.

We can also accept the following file types:

• Adobe Illustrator: AI, EPS, or press-ready PDF. Convert fonts to outlines and embed all linked images. Packaged Illustrator files are also accepted.
• Adobe Photoshop: PSD, TIFF, JPG, or PNG. Files should be created at the final print size with a resolution of 300 DPI. Before submitting flattened artwork, rasterize all type layers to prevent font substitutions. If artwork adjustments may be needed, provide the original layered PSD file and include any fonts used.
• Adobe InDesign: INDD or press-ready PDF. Native InDesign files must be packaged to include all fonts and linked images.
• Vector PDF or EPS: Recommended for logos, line art, and illustrations that may need to be resized.

Files created in applications not listed above should be exported as a high-quality or press-ready PDF whenever possible. Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, and similar programs may not preserve layout, fonts, or color accurately and could require additional preparation before production.

Before submitting your artwork, confirm that fonts are outlined, rasterized, or included as appropriate for the file type; all linked images are embedded or packaged; and the file meets the size, bleed, color, and resolution requirements outlined above.

Artwork created in Canva should be downloaded as a PDF Print file. When exporting, select bleed if your design includes artwork that extends to the edge of the finished piece. DO NOT CHOOSE CROP MARKS. Please also confirm that the file is created at the correct finished size and that important text and design elements remain within the safe zone.

If available with your Canva account, select CMYK as the color profile when downloading your file. Files exported in RGB will be converted for production, which may cause some colors to appear different when printed.

Before submitting your artwork, open the exported PDF and review it carefully for missing elements, shifted text, image quality, and correct page size. If you need assistance preparing a Canva file for production, please contact your Account Representative or our Art Department.

We can accept artwork created with AI image-generation tools; however, these files may require additional preparation before they are suitable for production. AI-generated images are typically raster-based and may have limited resolution, even when they appear clear on screen. Enlarging them beyond their original size can result in blurring, pixelation, or a loss of detail.

Before submitting AI-generated artwork, review it carefully for distorted text, irregular shapes, unintended objects, inaccurate details, and other visual inconsistencies. Text appearing within an AI-generated image is not considered editable type and may need to be recreated before printing.

Whenever possible, provide the original, highest-resolution version of the image. AI-generated artwork is not automatically vector artwork and cannot always be cleanly converted to vector format. Additional editing, reconstruction, or image enhancement may incur artwork charges.

The customer is responsible for confirming that submitted artwork is appropriate for commercial use and does not infringe upon copyrights, trademarks, or other intellectual-property rights.

Artwork may be submitted through our online file-upload system or provided on a USB drive. You may also share a download link from Dropbox, WeTransfer, Google Drive, iCloud, or another established file-sharing service.

Before submitting your files, please make sure all required artwork, fonts, and linked images are included. Clearly label your files with your company name, project name, or order number so they can be matched to the correct project.

Please send a copy of your original artwork rather than the only available version. Although we take care when handling customer files and storage devices, files can become corrupted, damaged, or lost during transfer.

For large projects containing multiple files, place everything in one clearly named folder and compress it into a ZIP file before uploading. If you update your artwork after it has been submitted, clearly identify the revised file and notify your Account Representative to help prevent an earlier version from being used.

An electronic proof will be provided for approval before your order moves into production. Please review it carefully for spelling, content, dimensions, placement, colors, and overall accuracy. Production will not begin until we receive your approval, and estimated turnaround times begin after the proof has been approved.

Your approval confirms that the artwork is correct and ready for production. Any changes requested after approval may result in additional charges and could affect the production schedule.

Electronic PDF proofs are intended primarily to verify content and layout. Colors may vary between screens and devices, so an electronic proof should not be considered an exact representation of final printed color. If precise color matching is required, please provide a Pantone Matching System (PMS) color or ask about available color-matching and physical-proof options.

Hard-copy, press, or production proofs may be available upon request and may require additional time and charges.

Files that do not meet the requirements outlined in these guidelines may need to be adjusted before they can move into production. This may include correcting dimensions, adding bleed, rebuilding artwork, replacing or outlining fonts, preparing colors, improving image quality, or making other changes necessary for printing.

Artwork preparation, alterations, or design services are billed at $85 per hour. If additional work is required, we will contact you before proceeding and provide an estimate whenever possible. Design charges may also apply to customer-requested revisions made during the proofing process.

To help minimize additional charges and avoid delays, we recommend submitting a press-ready PDF or editable vector artwork whenever possible. Please include all necessary fonts, linked images, brand colors, and reference materials with your files.

If you’re unsure whether your artwork is ready for production, contact our Art Department at 870.935.4042. We’ll be happy to review your files and help determine what may be needed before your order moves forward.

Please confirm that:

• Your artwork is created at the correct finished size.
• Bleed is included where needed.
• Important elements remain within the safe zone.
• Colors are set to CMYK or properly identified spot colors.
• Raster images are 300 DPI at their intended print size.
• Fonts are outlined, rasterized, or included as appropriate.
• Linked images are embedded or included with packaged files.
• Your file has been reviewed for spelling, content, and accuracy.
• The filename clearly identifies your company, project, or order.