File Setup Guide

Print-ready files help your job move faster and print exactly as intended. Here’s what we look for. If you’re unsure about any of it, send what you have and we’ll take a look.

Preferred file formats

• PDF (preferred), exported at high quality with fonts embedded
• Also accepted: AI, EPS, high-resolution JPG, PNG or TIFF
• Word or PowerPoint files can often be used, but may shift when converted. A PDF is always safer.

Resolution

Images should be 300 dpi at the final printed size. Images pulled from websites or social media are usually 72 dpi and will look blurry or pixelated in print.

Color

Set up files in CMYK whenever possible. Files created in RGB will be converted, and some bright screen colors can look slightly different on paper. Colors on your monitor may not exactly match the printed result.

Bleed and safe zone

• Bleed: if color or images run to the edge, extend them 0.125″ (1/8″) past the trim line on every side.
• Safe zone: keep text and important elements at least 0.125″ inside the trim line so nothing gets cut off.
• Don’t add crop marks inside the artwork area unless we ask for them.

Fonts and text

Embed or outline all fonts. Avoid very small text (under 6 pt) and very thin lines, which may not print cleanly. Please proofread carefully. We print what you approve.

Multi-page documents

Booklets and manuals should be supplied as a single PDF with pages in reading order (single pages, not spreads). Saddle-stitched booklets need a page count divisible by four.

Ready to send files? Request a quote or contact us.