File Requirements - New for April 2010!
Download these instructions as a PDF
We recommend your print files be submitted to ii as 2-layer PDFs, whereas all photos and graphic elements are compressed into one layer (background) and on top of that layer is all of your text. Converting all text to curves (paths) is necessary to prevent errors that may occur when fonts are not embedded in the file. Other accepted formats include JPEG, TIFF, PSD or EPS.
When building your file, only include photos and other graphics that are at least 300dpi in their original format to ensure optimum output and be careful if mixing CMYK and RGB elements together into one file, as you may get some unexpected results once printed.
Please note: Your file should consist of one single graphic as opposed to a multi-up format and should not include crop marks or lines (as shown in the sample below) identifying where to trim. The trim size will be determined based on the requested finished size. If the file does not include sufficient bleed or gutter it will not be processed until the appropriate corrections have been made.
Digital Print (flyers, posters, business cards, etc)
When submitting your files for digital print, please be sure they are 300dpi at 100% scale.
All artwork must be created with no less than 1/4" of bleed. In other words, any background colours or design elements must extend 1/8" beyond trim size of your document on all 4 sides. See graphic below.
There are three important elements to keep in mind when designing a file for print. The BLEED size, the TRIM size and the TEXT SAFE area. We recommend using the PDF design templates as a starting point to be sure that the sizing requirements are met. The sample below shows the design template for a standard 4x6 flyer. Please see industryimages.com/resources for our template library.
Intended Cut Line
The BLEED size is the full file size - this is likely referred to as the page size or canvas size in your design software. A minimum of 1/8" bleed on all four sides of a 4x6 flyer will make the full graphic size 4.25" x 6.25".
The TRIM size is the requested finished size after cutting. The pink CUT LINE shows where the document is intended to be cut. The yellow area that extends beyond the CUT LINE to the outside edge of the graphic is the BLEED AREA.
The area inside the CUT LINE to the blue TEXT SAFE AREA is called GUTTER. There should not be any important design elements, such as text or logos, that extend beyond the text safe area and into the GUTTER.
The TEXT SAFE AREA is where any important information is safe from where the document will be trimmed. This safe area is a minimum of 1/8" inside the trim line on all sides. For a 4x6 flyer the text safe area is 3.75" x 5.75".
Wide Format (banners, jumbo posters, floor graphics, etc)
When submitting your files for digital print, please be sure they are either:
300dpi at 30-50% scale or 100-150 dpi at 100% scale
No bleed is required on files for wide format printing, however we do recommend a 1.5" gutter around all banner graphics to allow space for grommets.
The Fine Print of our Print Services
Files that are submitted for print are not proofread or touched-up in any way before they are printed. Our print prices do not include file storage or archival and your file(s) will not typically be saved beyond two weeks from the completion of your project. The DPI and overall quality of the graphics/layers used to build your file will directly impact the quality of the final product. Once your order has been placed, you've committed to it - although we will try our best, we may not be able to accommodate last minute changes. Should you wish to request a modification to your order, please contact us ASAP. Due to the nature of digital printing, colours may range a shade or two from one project to the next and will never be an exact match to your home printer and/or what you see on your monitor. Most people find this variance in colour to be acceptable, however If you are particular about specific colours in your file, we strongly suggest you review a proof first. If you would like to see a printed sample of your file, one proof per project is provided at no charge and typically only adds one extra day to the production process. To allow for back-trimming, the finished size of any printed product is subject to a 5% tolerance in either direction.
