Print File Guidelines

We accept PDF, Adobe Illustrator (.ai), EPS, Photoshop (.psd), TIFF, and high-resolution JPEG or PNG files. PDF is our preferred format — specifically PDF/X-1a — because it preserves fonts, color profiles, and layout exactly as you designed them with the highest reliability across different systems.

If you are working in Illustrator or InDesign, export to PDF/X-1a with fonts embedded and images at full resolution. If you are submitting a Photoshop file, flatten all layers and save at maximum quality. For JPEG files, use the highest quality setting — compression artifacts become visible in print even when they look fine on screen.

We do not accept Microsoft Word, Publisher, or PowerPoint files. These programs are not designed for professional print production and produce unreliable color and layout results. If your design exists only in these formats, export it as a high-resolution PDF before uploading.

All raster images — photographs, textured backgrounds, any non-vector artwork — must be 300 DPI (dots per inch) at the final print size. This is the industry standard for sharp, detailed offset printing. Images below 300 DPI will appear soft or pixelated in the final print.

A common mistake is using images downloaded from websites. Web images are typically 72 to 96 DPI and are not suitable for printing, even if they look sharp on your monitor. Always use the original high-resolution source file for any image in your design.

Vector elements — logos, text, geometric shapes created in Illustrator or similar programs — scale to any size without quality loss. If your design is entirely vector-based, resolution is not a concern. Mixed designs (vector plus photos) should have all raster elements at 300 DPI.

Bleed is extra artwork that extends 0.125 inches (1/8 inch) beyond the trim edge on all four sides. This ensures that when the paper is cut to final size, there are no white borders along the edges. Any color, image, or design element that touches the edge of your piece must extend into the bleed area.

The safety margin is the area 0.125 inches inside the trim line. Keep all important content — text, logos, phone numbers, website addresses — within this safety zone. Printing and cutting have small mechanical tolerances, and content placed too close to the trim edge risks being cut off.

Think of it this way: bleed extends outward from the trim line, safety stays inward. Together they create a buffer zone that accounts for the mechanical realities of commercial printing and cutting.

All files must be in CMYK color mode. CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) is the standard color model for offset printing. RGB files — the default color mode for screens and digital cameras — will be automatically converted to CMYK, which can cause unexpected color shifts, especially in blues, greens, and bright reds.

For the most accurate color reproduction, design in CMYK from the start using the US Web Coated (SWOP) v2 color profile. This profile is calibrated to match the behavior of standard offset printing inks on coated paper.

Total ink coverage should not exceed 300%. Rich black for large solid areas should be set to C:60 M:40 Y:40 K:100. Body text should use pure black (K:100 only) for the sharpest possible type.

Embed all fonts in your PDF or convert all text to outlines (paths) before saving. Missing or substituted fonts are one of the most common causes of print errors. If we cannot find the font you used, the system substitutes a default font that will alter your layout.

Minimum recommended font sizes for offset printing: 6 point for positive text (dark text on a light background), 8 point for reversed text (light text on a dark background), and 8 point for fine serif fonts at any orientation. Smaller type may fill in or lose detail during the printing process.

Avoid using hairline rules (lines thinner than 0.25 point). These may not reproduce consistently across the full press sheet.

Before uploading your file, verify each of these items:

File format is PDF, AI, EPS, PSD, TIFF, or high-resolution JPG. Color mode is CMYK with US Web Coated (SWOP) v2 profile. All images are 300 DPI at the final print size. Bleed extends 0.125 inches beyond the trim edge on all sides. All text and logos are within the 0.125-inch safety margin. All fonts are embedded or converted to outlines. Total ink coverage does not exceed 300%. Rich black areas use C:60 M:40 Y:40 K:100. The document size matches the ordered product dimensions plus bleed.

Our free prepress file review catches most issues, but submitting a correct file from the start means faster production and no surprises.