RESOURCES
BELOW YOU WILL FIND RESOURCES AND INFORMATION TO HELP YOU SETUP YOUR FILES FOR PRINT, UNDERSTAND BLEEDS AND MORE.
Bleeds: What are they and why do I need them?
Printing presses, whether conventional or digital, can’t print right to the edge of a sheet of paper. So, if we need to print up to the edge of a sheet, we must use oversized paper and then trim to size. Neither printing nor cutting is a totally exact process, so the bleed is used to allow for the small errors which may occur. It ensures that there are no slivers of white visible once the sheet has been trimmed.
That is the reason for the extra background, which we call the bleed, outside of the cut mark.
HOW TO SET UP A FILE TO BLEED
When setting up a file for full bleed printing, the file size needs to be 0.125" on all bleed sides. For example, a 4"x6" postcard should be setup with a file size of 4.25"x6.25". You will also need to make sure that all critical text and design elements are moved at least 0.25" from each edge to avoid being cut into or trimmed off during the printing and cutting process.
As well as being a print shop, we have a full time graphic designer. If you need your artwork set up or designed feel free to contact us and inquire about design services.
How to set Up a File for Print
Guidelines for how to set up and submit your files so they are print ready!
Page Size
All files must be submitted to size.
It is best practice to make sure when you start designing, it is at the correct page size you want for printing.
If you want your print to be 8.5x11, start designing with a page size at 8.5x11. If you want it to be 3.5x2, change your page size so that it is 3.5x2. When you design on a random page size, scaling for your desired print size can be problematic.
Please do not upload files “imposed” onto a sheet. We will need your file to be uploaded at cut size with bleeds.
For example, if you want a 5x7 print out, do not put two on a 8.5x11 sheet, simply upload the 5x7 file. Our software will impose it to the sheet size we need printed.
Bleeds
All files must be setup with 1/8 bleed.
When setting up a file for full bleed printing, the file size needs to be 0.25" larger than the cut size. For example, a 4"x6" postcard should be setup with a file size of 4.25"x6.25". You will also need to make sure that all critical text and design elements are moved at least 0.25" from each edge to avoid being cut into or trimmed off during the printing and cutting process.
File Type
All files must be pdf.
Please provide a press quality PDF. Any other files including native design files, Microsoft Word documents, jpgs or other file formats may result in printing issues.
Color Profiles
All files must be the correct color profile (cmyk, grayscale or pantone)
All files should be uploaded with their correct color profile. If your job is full color, please make sure all color is in CMYK. If your job is black and white, please make sure it is 100% black and not full color black. If you are printing spot colors please make sure the appropriate Pantone colors are used. There is no instance in which we will print RGB.
Any file submitted with incorrect color profiles will be converted and color shifts may happen.
image quality
All images need to be at least 300dpi.
Please make sure all images are at least 300dpi, if not your image quality will suffer when printed.
FONTS
All fonts should be included, embedded or outlined in your file.
If not, your fonts may automatically convert to a different font or your job may be delayed as we will need you to resubmit your files.
overprint
Turn off Overprint
Make sure you have turned overprinting off when designing your file to avoid unexpected results when printing.