.jpg or .jpeg Standard format for photographic image compression developed by the Joint Photographic Experts Group .pdf Portable Documet File from Adobe Systems

Quick Facts about Bitmap Images Bitmap images are made up of colored dots (pixels) in a grid Also known as raster images Resolution dependent – resizing affects image quality Scanned images and digital photos are bitmaps Quick Facts about Vector Images Vector Images are made up of individual objects composed of lines and shapes with different attributes such as color. Resolution Independent – scaling images does not affect quality Smaller file size Not suitable for photo-realistic reproduction Fonts are vector objects

Size & Bleed Files need to be built to the final trim size plus 1/8” bleed on each side. Therefore, if you are ordering a 5 x 7 postcard, the graphic file's size should 5.25” x 7.25”. When generating the file into the proper format, do not use any crop or printer's marks as these will increase the dimensions of the design file. Image Resolution For best printing results, we recommend files to have a resolution of at least 300 dpi. Submitting files with resolution lower than 300 dpi may result in the print turning out pixelated or blurry. Color Mode All full color artwork and/or images must be saved in CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) color mode. While black and white artwork and/or images must be in grayscale color mode. Files submitted in RGB or Pantone color mode will be converted automatically to CMYK. Converting these to CMYK would cause a shift since they are not of the same color spectrum. Safety Zone Do not place any critical images or text beyond the safety zone, which should be at least 1/8\" within the final trim size. This will ensure that they are well within the finished piece when it is trimmed. Font & Lines When creating files on vector based software such a illustrator, inDesign, or Freehand, all text must be converted to outlines before generating the final PDF file. If working out of Photoshop, simply flatten the image. Do not use fonts smaller than 8 pts. Note that small or very narrow fonts may not render well on print against dark backgrounds. Keep all lines at least .25 pts thick. While thinner lines may be visible on screen, they may not show on print. Artwork with Borders When trimmed, the border should be 1/4" thick. Therefore, it should be set up to be 3/8" from the bleed line. There is a cutting tolerance of 1/16" which may cause uneven borders. We do not recommend borders. However, if they are necessary in your artwork, keep the minimum border thickness to make it possible for us to cut as evenly as possible. We do not guarantee perfect trimming.

Resolution Rules-of-thumb: Resolution refers to the number of colored dots or pixels that make up an image. It is commonly expressed in dpi or dots per inch. The higher the dpi, the greater the resolution, the better the image quality. But don’t go overboard. Higher resolution images create larger file size. Image resolution is directly and inversely proportional to an image’s physical size. When you increase the resolution of an image, reduce its size. When you enlarge an image, lower the resolution. Otherwise, the image will print poorly. For printed images, the ideal resolution is 300 dpi for images and 400 dpi for text at the final printed size. Here is a chart to help you determine the proper dimensions of your image at your desired print size and in the recommended resolution of 300 dpi. PRINTED SIZEMIN. IMAGE DIMENSIONSIMAGE RESOLUTION More Helpful Tips: Your screen resolution doesn’t accurately reflect your image resolution because monitor displays usually have about 72 to 116 ppi. To view print resolution of your image, zoom in up to 300-400%. When taking pictures from a digital camera for your print project, it’s best to set your camera to the highest resolution setting. Four-Color Process Printing uses the CMYK color mode. Convert RGB images to CMYK using graphics editing software such as Adobe Photoshop. Save your images in a lossless file format such as .tif and .eps to maintain accuracy and quality.

Matching Taxt If you've ever had to print a Pantone-colored logo to a CMYK press, you know it can be difficult to achieve the perfect color match. Some Pantone colors simply cannot be reproduced by CMYK, though many can be if you use the right conversion method. Problem is, many different designers advocate many different methods, from the Pantone Process Guide to simply using a Pantone to CMYK conversion chart or swatches. Here\'s what you need to know about converting Pantone to CMYK color: What's the difference between Pantone and CMYK? The simplest explanation is that Pantone is a popular spot color system and CMYK is a process printing system. Pantone spot colors are solid inks assigned numbers that look the same no matter who prints them, which is why spot color is especially important for corporate identities and branded images. CMYK colors, on the other hand, are created (processed) on the press using a mix between Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and blacK inks. Since there are variations between presses, press operators and other factors, CMYK colors are not guaranteed to be perfectly reproduced between printers or even print jobs. Why would I want to convert from Pantone to CMYK and vice versa? In practice, Pantone is favored for solid colors such as those used in logos and letterhead; while CMYK is favored for mixed colors such as those evident in multi-colored photographs. That being said, printing with Pantone inks can be expensive and many companies prefer to use CMYK process to save money, especially if a Pantone color can be perfectly or closely duplicated using CMYK. Conversely, a company might decide to switch to Pantone after using CMYK four-color process and needs to match the Pantone color to the CMYK mix. The goal is a branded, uniform look that does not unnecessarily inflate marketing expenses. How to convert from Pantone to CMYK and vice versa? Matching Pantone to CMYK color can be a challenge, and as a designer you have to understand that the two systems are indeed different, and 100 percent matches are not always possible. You can match most Pantone colors using CMYK, however, learn to think of your proofs as an approximation, and clearly explain to your designer what you are looking for. Trust your creative team to get the best match possible.