Art File Prep
If you are constructing your own artwork for print, please follow these specifications to ensure the proper quality and handling of your file. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
Preferred and accepted file types
We prefer vector files for your final artwork, when applicable. Vector artwork allows us to seamlessly work with your art, allowing us to scale, resize, and separate colors for file output, when needed. Acceptable vector file formats are Adobe Illustrator .AI, .EPS, .SVG, .PDFs.
If the artwork cannot be created in a vector program like Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw, we prefer high resolution, layered Adobe Photoshop files. Acceptable file formats are .PSD, .TIFF, .PDF.
Preparing Your Art and Document Setup
As mentioned, working with Adobe Illustrator and Vector files comes with complete ease. We are able to scale it without a loss in detail, quickly edit and tinker, and output/separate colors in the highest of quality for screen printing. When sending vector files, make sure all text is outlined and all strokes are expanded.
For Photoshop documents, please be acutely aware of your document settings and size before you start designing your artwork. Be sure to size the document canvas at an adequate size so that your artwork is scale to the size you want it printed.
the most common error: when creating a new file in photoshop, the document is automatically preset to 72 dpi. make sure to change to min 300 dpi and to the document size of your choice.
SIZE YOUR DESIGN
Your design should be sized to the size it should be printed. If you want your print to be 10" wide, please be sure the actual design within the file is 10" wide, not just the background of your design file.
THOUGH THE DOCUMENT CANVAS IS 15” X 15”, THE ARTWORK IS ONLY SET AT 12” X 6.8”. MAKE SURE THAT THE ARTWORK IS AT THE DESIRED SIZE, NOT THE ACTUAL WORKING DOCUMENT!
Upsampling: Upsampling is an image-editing process that enlarges your original photo, making up (or interpolating) additional pixels to fill in the gaps. Very common, this often creates a problem for color output and high resolution printing. Often, people will use a photo sourced from the web (at 72 DPI), but will embedd it into an Photoshop Document set at 300 DPI. The image will 'upsample', however, the quality remains poor and low, which does not allow for the better printing outcomes.
Upsampling creates more resolution but can’t create more detail or sharpness.
convert your text to outlines
If you are creating your file in Adobe Illustrator, you will need to choose "Create Outlines" on all your text. This allows us to open the file without requiring the font.
to do this: select text > right click > create outlines. you can also navigate the same thing through: select text > object > expand.
PMS color matching
To ensure that your artwork will print in the colors to your liking, we suggest that you provide Pantone Color numbers when needed. See our screen printing Ink Chart for the stock colors and their respective Pantone colors. We offer Pantone color matches for $17.50 per ink color.
Further, please keep in mind that monitor and color calibration settings are different on all computers. Not every color looks the same on every monitor. A certain red on your screen may appear to be a different red on ours. There is no universal color calibration for computers. It is always best to try to supply your own pantone colors if possible. The best way to do this, and the most accurate way, is to purchase a Pantone Plus Series Solid Coated Formula Guide. This can be purchased as part of the set (Coated and Uncoated) through Amazon for $92 + shipping. The reason why it's best to buy the book, once again, is the pantone guide on your version of photoshop is still using your color calibration, and will not necessarily be accurate.
If you are unfamiliar with Pantone color match, leave it to us for selecting specific ink colors for your artwork. We are good at it!
Large format banner artwork
FOR LARGE FORMAT BANNER PRINTING, PLEASE CONTACT US.
