Small Format File Help

High resolution .PDF files with crop marks and bleed are preferred. We also accept native files created with Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, or Photoshop.

Adobe Illustrator

.ai & editable .pdf

• For artwork requiring editing, Package the file with all fonts used in the document
• Embed all images and Package with linked images
• When saving as .pdf, enable option to Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities

Adobe InDesign

.indd

• Package the file and include all linked images and fonts

Adobe Photoshop

.psd, .tiff, .pdf

• Include all layers, paths, and channels

Please convert any other file types to .pdf (or .tiff where applicable). CAD files are typically not compatible with our workflow and will need to be exported as .pdf files prior to production.

Color

• Set document color mode to CMYK for four color process production, including all files linked within the document
• For color-critical jobs, spot colors should be defined with PMS numbers, instead of color values or generic names like “plum” or “sea-foam green”

Fonts & Text

• Adobe Illustrator files should have all [unchanging] text converted to outlines
• Adobe InDesign files must be properly packaged to include all fonts used in the document

Crops & Bleed

• Include at least a 1/8” bleed where possible, and a 2” bleed for graphics to be installed
• Keep important text/borders at 1/8” – 1/4” in from the edge
• For full bleed images wherein no bleed is provided, the print will be short-cut, resulting in dimensions shortened by up to 1/4"

Size & Scale

• Create your art at 100% whenever possible and have all links at 150 ppi. If reduction is necessary for file size, please create your layout at 50% or 25% of the final size
• If your art is at 50% or 25% and has linked raster files (i.e. TIFF, PSD, EPS), they should be at 300 ppi (50%) and 600 ppi (25%) to print at high quality