1
PDF IS PREFERRED
For most projects, a print-ready PDF provides the best results. Export your artwork at the highest quality available.
SEND US YOUR PRINT PROJECT
Upload your files. Tell us what you need. We’ll take it from there.
You don’t have to be a print expert. Send us your artwork and the details you know, and our team will review everything before your project goes into production.
Before You Upload
A few things that help us get your project right.
2
DESIGNED IN CANVA? EASY.
Download your design as PDF Print. If your design has images or colors that extend to the edge, turn on bleed when exporting.
3
ADD BLEED WHEN NEEDED
Anything that prints to the edge should extend 1/8" (.125") beyond the finished size.
4
USE HIGH-QUALITY IMAGES
For best results, images should be approximately 300 dpi at final size. Avoid screenshots or images saved from websites when possible.
5
USING ADOBE CREATIVE CLOUD?
Print-ready PDFs are preferred. We can also accept packaged InDesign files and properly prepared Illustrator or Photoshop files when editable artwork is needed.
6
HAVE SOMETHING ELSE? SEND IT.
Not sure if your file is print-ready? Upload what you have. Our team will review it and contact you if we need anything else.
What We Need From You
Tell us about your project.
Fill in the information you know. After you submit your project details, we’ll give you the secure link to upload your artwork.
✓
Project Details Received
Now send us your files.
Thanks! Your project information has been sent to our team. Click the button below to securely upload your artwork and supporting files through ShareFile.
Multiple files? Upload them individually or combine them into a ZIP file. Please use the same name and email address you entered above when submitting your files.
We’ll check the rest.
Before your project goes into production, our team will review your files for common issues such as size, bleed, resolution and missing artwork.
If we need anything else, we’ll contact you.
Need the technical details? View our complete file guidelines.
Technical File Guidelines
Need the details? We’ve got you covered.
If you're preparing professional print files or just want to make sure everything is set up correctly, use the guidelines below.
FILE FORMAT
A print-ready PDF is preferred for most projects. We also accept high-resolution JPG, TIFF, EPS, AI and PSD files when appropriate. For Adobe InDesign projects requiring native files, please package the project with all fonts and linked graphics.
RESOLUTION
For most commercial printing, images should be 300 dpi at final printed size.
For large-format projects such as banners and signs, lower resolutions are often acceptable because of the intended viewing distance. 100–150 dpi at final size is generally sufficient for many large-format applications.
BLEED
Projects with artwork, images or color extending to the finished edge should include at least 1/8" (.125") bleed on all sides.
For example, an 8.5" × 11" finished piece with standard bleed should have a document/artwork size of 8.75" × 11.25" including bleed.
SAFE AREA
Keep important text, logos and other critical elements at least 1/8"–1/4" inside the trim edge. Some products may require additional clearance.
COLOR
For commercial printing, CMYK is preferred. RGB and other color spaces can be converted, but some colors may change during conversion.
If your project requires an exact Pantone/PMS color, please identify the color in your job instructions.
FONTS
Fonts should be embedded in your PDF. If you're providing native Adobe files, include all required fonts or convert fonts to outlines where appropriate.
TRANSPARENCIES & EFFECTS
Modern print-ready PDFs generally handle transparencies, shadows and other effects correctly. Export using a high-quality print PDF setting rather than flattening or reducing the quality of your artwork unnecessarily.
CANVA
When exporting from Canva, select PDF Print. Turn on bleed for projects that print to the edge.
For the best results, start your Canva design at the actual finished size of your printed piece.
MICROSOFT WORD & POWERPOINT
These applications aren't designed primarily for commercial print production, but we know customers use them. Export your finished document as a high-quality PDF before uploading whenever possible.
We'll review the PDF and let you know if we see anything that could affect production.
MULTI-PAGE DOCUMENTS
Submit brochures, booklets, catalogs and other multi-page projects as one PDF with individual pages in reading order unless we've asked you to provide them differently.
Do not build printer spreads unless specifically requested.
FOLDS, DIE CUTS & SPECIAL FINISHING
Projects requiring die cutting, special folds, foil, spot UV, white ink or other specialty production may require additional setup.
Include any dielines, fold guides or special-production instructions with your artwork. Keep dielines and production marks on clearly identified separate layers when possible.
VARIABLE DATA & MAILING
For personalized printing or mailing projects, artwork and data should normally be supplied separately.
Excel or CSV files are preferred for mailing lists and variable data. One piece of information per column — for example: First Name, Last Name, Address, City, State and ZIP.
Please do not place mailing addresses directly into the artwork unless instructed to do so.
LARGE FORMAT
Signs, banners, posters and displays can generally be submitted at full size or at a clearly identified scale.
Vector artwork is preferred for logos and graphics whenever available. If your file is built at 50%, 25% or another scale, please tell us the scale when submitting the project.
CROP MARKS
Crop marks are acceptable but not required as long as the PDF page size and bleed are set correctly. Please don't manually draw crop marks into the artwork.
FILE SIZE & MULTIPLE FILES
You may upload multiple files with your project. For jobs containing many linked or supporting files, package everything into a single ZIP file.
Still not sure?
Don't let file specifications stop you from sending us your project.
Upload what you have. Our prepress team will review your files and contact you if anything needs attention before production.