File Setup

What document size do I create to send to you?
Each product should have a product template for you to download on that products page, please download it, and use it for a guide.

For Example, a Standard Business Card setup in Photoshop would be 3.75x2.25"
(3.5x2" + .125 bleed all sides) @ 600PPI with CMYK Color Mode:

Using Illustrator, you would setup the document with 2-6 Artboards (Depending on if it is a simple design (front/back), with spot UV, or spot UV & foil). The artboards would be 3.5x2, with 0.125 bleed on all sides.
(Spacing and orientation is irrelevant)


What file types are accepted?
Mac or PC files in these formats: .AI (Adobe Illustrator - please save as CS4 or CS3), .PSD (Adobe Photoshop), .EPS, .PDF, JPG, .TIF

What if I do not own Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop?
You can always download the FREE trial of any Adobe software.

ADOBE (Free Full Version Trials)

There are also many free alternatives to these that you could use - Many offer ability to save in one of the accepted file format. Here are a few links:

Alternatives to Photoshop
PIXLR - (Web Based)
SPLASHUP - (Web Based)
PHOTOSHOP EXPRESS - (Web Based)
GIMP - (Linux, Mac, Windows, FreeBSD, Sun OpenSolaris)
PAINT.NET - (Windows)
SEASHORE - (Mac)
XARA XTREME -  (Linux, Mac, Windows)
PHOTOPLUS - (Windows)

Alternatives to Illustrator
INKSCAPE - (Linux, Mac, Windows)
RAVEN - (Web Based)
CREATIVEDOCS.NET - (Windows)

Basic Image Editors
AVIARY - (Web Based)
PICNIK - (Web Based)

Should my fonts be outlined?
Yes, we only accept digital ready artwork only. Outlining the fonts is required before submission to avoid font problems when our system opens your files.

What color space should I send my files in?
All files should be sent to us in CMYK. Any files submitted in RGB may experience unacceptable color shifting. All files submitted in RGB are automatically converted to CMYK.

What are the bleed requirements?
Most all files must include a 1/8" (0.125 inch) bleed per side regardless if your design bleeds to the edge or not. An example of bleed setup for a 4" x 6" postcard would have to be submitted as 4.25" x 6.25" artwork.

What are your resolution requirements?
All rasterized (bitmap) images must be minimum 300 dpi. However, 600 dpi for photo images and 1200 dpi for text and line art is highly recommended. For Large format, you must design at MINIMUM 150DPI @ 100% scale, 300DPI at 50% scale, 600DPI at 25% scale. Vector files do not have resolution limitations as they scale to any size without loss of quality.

Should I include printers marks in my file?
Do not include crop marks, color bars, or registration marks in your artwork. Always submit your artwork at trim size + bleed without any printers marks.

Can I include front and back images in the same file?
While you can create all your sides using one file, each side of your artwork must be exported into separate files. An example if you have a two sided business card, you would provide two files. If the product has spot UV or foil, separate files are also required for each side - A spot UV business card would require four files (Front Image, Back Image, Front Spot, Back Spot) regardless if you dont have any spot UV on one side... In that case the file would be completely white.

Should overprint be turned on or off?
It is STRONGLY suggested that overprint is turned off to avoid unexpected results.

What is the File Orientation setup?

How do I setup my file for Spot UV or Foil?
Spot UV is setup the same way as Foil and you must provide an additional file for each side with the spot UV or Foil made with 100% K only. Limitations: Spot UV on Silk Cards can only be maximum 40% coverage. Spot UV cannot be put on the back side of a print job that has Foil on the front. For Foil Guildlines, please view this link: http://405media.com/pages/foil