ARTWORK PREPARATION

GENERAL Q & A:

What type of files do you accept?
What are my options if I don't own an Adobe Application?

Do I need to use a product template?

Where do I upload my files?
What is the maximum file size that can be uploaded?
Do you archive files?
What is CMYK?
What is RGB?
How do I control color?
My image is in jpg format, will this be ok?
My logo is in jpg format, will this be ok?

What if my file is missing fonts?
Why should I convert my fonts to outlines?


FILE PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Illustrator Instructions for Custom Screen Print Products
Illustrator Instructions for Custom Digital Printed Products

Instructions for Creating Drop Shadows and Glows in Photoshop 
Photoshop Instructions for Custom Screen Print
Photoshop Instructions for Custom Digital Print

PDF Instructions

GENERAL Q & A

What type of files do you accept? back to top>
Colored Ink requires you submit your artwork in one of the following formats:
Adobe Illustrator (.ai) – This is our preferred format.
Adobe Photoshop (.psd, .tiff)
Adobe Acrobat (.pdf)

What are my options if I don't own an Adobe Application? back to top>
If your design or a logo was created in one of the other popular applications like Quark Xpress, Corel Draw, Microsoft Publisher or Microsoft Word, you can create a PDF of your design. See PDF instructions.

Do I need to use a product template? back to top>
Although it is not required, we encourage you to use our templates as this may prevent delays and extra design fees in processing your files. Our templates are built to the correct scale and include additional information to help you with your design. All templates can be found on the “Templates Tab” under each individual product or by clicking on the Templates Link in the HELP section bottom navigation.

Where do I upload my files? back to top>
Files can be uploaded through our website after an order has been placed. If you select to upload files later, you may do so by contacting us and we will email you upload instructions.

What is the maximum file size that can be uploaded? back to top>
Colored Ink will accept large uploads via FTP. Compression software like ZIP or Stuffit can help reduce the size of your files. These applications also combine your files into a single package which is much easier to upload. We recommend you use one of these options before uploading your files.

Files for large format digital print can be excessive in size. We recommend that you follow our Illustrator Instructions for Custom Digital Print to help minimize the size of your files.

Please contact us for FTP upload instructions.

Do you archive files? back to top>
Although we cannot guarantee your files will be archived for more than 90 days, we do make an attempt to store all client files on various backup sources. It is, however, recommended that you maintain a copy of all our files just ot be safe.

What is CMYK? back to top>
CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. This is the industry standard process colors used in full-color digital printing. The combination of these four colors can produce a wide spectrum of colors. Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow combine to create the color, while Black is used to change the shade of the color.

What is RGB back to top>
RGB stands for Red, Green, and Blue. These are most commonly used with web design, television screens and computer monitors.. RGB files should be converted to CMYK prior to uploading. Colors may need to be adjusted after the conversion and may not appear correct on your monitor.

How do I control color? back to top>
Do not trust your monitor! Every monitor and every environment displays color differently.
The best way for us to control the final output color is for you to design your project using Pantone colors. Pantone callouts tell us exactly what color you are trying to achieve within your project. Use Illustrator's built in Pantone library (From the Window Menu select Swatch Libraries > Color Books > PANTONE Solid Coated). If Pantones do not apply or cannot be obtained, use CMYK color mode. Colored Ink cannot guarantee CMYK color matches but we constantly calibrate our equipment to achieve the pantone colors you specify. If needed, we can provide printed proofs at an additional cost. Please call for more information.

Photoshop designs must be created with CMYK colors. If you require color matching within your Photoshop designs we will need your working PSD layered file and specific directions regarding color. Additional graphics charges may be required for color correction.  Colored Ink will notify you of these charges before we begin working on your project.

My image is in jpg format, will this be ok? back to top>
Jpeg is the most commonly used method of compression for photographic images. Jpeg is a poor compression method, meaning that every time a file is saved as a jpeg some amount of information is thrown away. The lost information isn't always noticeable when viewing an image on your computer screen but it becomes a problem when taking the same image to large format print. Jpeg images print with jagged, stair stepped edges (also no as pixilation), blotchy color and a loss of detail. The larger you print an image the worse it looks.

My logo is in jpg format, will this be ok? back to top>
Logos are commonly saved as jpeg files because they are small and easy to email. They look great on the computer screen but can not be scaled up to print. Logos should be submitted as eps, ai or pdf format only. If you only have a jpg logo, we can re-draw them into vector (scalable) graphics for a small fee. Please contact us discuss details.

What if my file is missing fonts back to top>
Your job will be placed on "Hold", if your file(s) is missing fonts. We will notify you of missing fonts and in most cases it can be emailed to us. However, please remember to convert your text to outlines before uploading your files to avoid production delays. For more help outlining fonts see Illustrator Instructions.

Why should I convert my fonts to outlines? back to top>
Converting your text to outlines is the most effective way to ensure we can print your files even if we do not have your fonts installed in our computer systems. When you convert fonts to outlines, the program will look at the fonts as scalable images rather than text. Once text has been converted to outlines, it can no longer be typeset like standard text layers, so be sure to save your original source file.

FILE PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS

Illustrator Instructions for Custom Screen Print Products back to top>
Adobe Illustrator is the preferred application for large format printing. We provide a complete set of Illustrator product Templates built at 25% of actual size.

Place your vector logo in the appropriate template and scale to fit the screen size.

Set type as needed and scale to fit screen area.

Use pantone colors when color management is critical for branding. Use Illustrator's built in Pantone library (From the Window Menu select Swatch Libraries > Color Books > PANTONE Solid Coated)

Convert your text to outlines before uploading final art to Colored Ink. (Unlock all art and all layers. From the Select Menu, Select All. From the Type menu, choose Create Outlines.) To confirm that all fonts have been outlined (go to Type Menu, choose Find Font.) There should be no fonts listed in the Fonts Document window.

Save your file as an Adobe Illustrator Document (.ai).

NOTE: If your design includes images, beveled text, text glows and/or drop shadows, you will need to choose a Custom Digital Printing option.


Illustrator Instructions for Custom Digital Printed Products back to top>
Adobe Illustrator is the preferred application for large format printing. We provide a complete set of Illustrator product Templates built at 25% of actual size.

Vector logos and text should be created in Illustrator.

Use pantone colors when color management is critical for branding. Use Illustrator's built in Pantone library (From the Window Menu select Swatch Libraries > Color Books > PANTONE Solid Coated)

Convert your text to outlines before uploading final art to Colored Ink. (Unlock all art and all layers. From the Select Menu, Select All. From the Type menu, choose Create Outlines.) To confirm that all fonts have been outlined (go to Type Menu, choose Find Font.) There should be no fonts listed in the Fonts Document window.

If your design includes and image or multiple images you will need to create a Photoshop document. If your design includes beveled text, text glows or drop shadows please refer toInstructions for Creating Drop Shadows and Glows in Photoshop.
Create a new Photoshop file at the same size as the illustrator template bleed line. To determine the bleed size, select the black key line in the template and view “transform” from the Window drop down menu. (Set the resolution to 200 pixels/inch, Color mode CMYK, 8bit.)

Copy your Illustrator graphics and paste them into your new Photoshop document. (make sure they place at 100% of size). Use this new layer as a guide to position your images. Assemble your images and other design elements. Save a layered .psd as your working file. If your work is complete, turn off the visibility of the copied Illustrator layers before saving a copy of your design as a flattened .tiff file. You may use LZW compression to help manage file size.

Place the ..tiff file into your Illustrator layout. Make sure to LINK your .tiff file by checking the link box in the lower left of the Place Dialog Window.

Your completed Illustrator layout should contain no more than one linked Photoshop ...tiff file. This is important to ensure that your final file size is manageable for print production software.

Save your final file as an Adobe Illustrator Document. (Deselect the option "Create PDF Compatible File.") This will create a drastically smaller file, saving valuable time when uploading files.

Send us your Illustrator layout and the Photoshop .tiff file.


Instructions for Creating Drop Shadows and Glows in Photoshop back to top>
Apply drop shadow or glow effects to the illustrator graphics you copied and pasted into Photoshop. When you are happy with the Photoshop effect, create a layer of the effect. (From the Layer Menu go to Layer Style > Create Layer)

Turn off layer visibility for all FPO layers before saving a copy of your design as a flattened .tiff file. You may use LZW compression to help manage file size.

Place the ..tiff file into your Illustrator layout. Make sure to LINK your .tiff file by checking the link box in the lower left of the place dialog window.

Save your file as an Adobe Illustrator Document. (Deselect the option "Create PDF Compatible File.") This will create a drastically smaller file, saving valuable time when uploading files.

Send us your Illustrator layout and the Photoshop .tiff file.


Photoshop Instructions for Custom Screen Print back to top>

Photoshop is an image editing application. Photoshop images are not accepted for screen print items.

Depending on the design and the quality of the file our design team may be able to convert your file to Illustrator vector art. Please contact a Colored Ink representative to discuss details.


Photoshop Instructions for Custom Digital Print back to top>
Image based designs may be created in Photoshop. You can start your design using one of our Illustrator product templates.

Create a new Photoshop file at the same size as the illustrator template bleed line. To determine the bleed size, select the black key line in the template and view “transform” from the Window drop down menu. (Set the resolution to 200 pixels/inch, Color mode CMYK, 8bit.)

For custom items, including banners, start by creating a new Photoshop file at 25% of your design’s final output size. Add .25" to the document for bleed image. (Set the resolution to 300 pixels/inch. Color mode CMYK, 8bit.)

Assemble your images and other design elements. Save a layered .psd as your working file.
Save a copy of your design as a flattened ...tiff file. You may use LZW compression to help manage file size.

Send us your Photoshop .tiff file.


PDF Instructions back to top>

These guidelines should be used for our customers who don't have access to Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop or InDesign applications. Creating a PDF of your file will allow our design department to view your design and hopefully save it in a format compatible with the large format printers. After reviewing your file we will contact you regarding possible graphics charges to convert your PDF file into printable art.

With Adobe Acrobat Professional (this is not the same as Adobe Acrobat Reader) or Mac OSX, you can create a PDF from ANY application that supports printing. To create a PDF, simply choose "Adobe PDF" as your printer.

There are several FREE utilities such as PrimoPDF, which allow you to create a PDF document from these applications (or ANY other application).