COMMON ERRORS AND SOLUTIONS

Listed below are the most common errors we find in digital files submitted to us. Please keep in mind that if your job has any of these production errors it will be placed on hold until the problem is corrected. We will make every attempt to contact you and will keep a log of these attempts, but your best insurance against a delayed job is understanding the following problems and solutions.

Incorrect Color Mode

RGB color mode (red, green, blue) must be converted to CMYK color mode (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) prior to printing. Please visit our FAQ for additional information.

Wrong Size

Digital files must be built at the correct bleed size. We recommend that you use a .125 bleed on your jobs. This area will be cut off so please do not put any text or images that you don't want cut off close to the edge. We also recommend that you place all text within 1/4" (.25) away from the edge of your file.

Critical Artwork or Text Close to Trim

• . Text or images that are not meant to be trimmed off the edge of your final printed piece must be 1/4" (.25) from the edge of your layout (also known as Safety).

• . Images that are meant to go to the very edge of your design must extend into the bleed area 1/8" (0.125).

• . Due to the very small shifting that occurs during cutting, it is NOT recommended that you use a border of less than 1/4" (.25). We can not guarantee that small borders will be the same size on all sides after trimming if you have used a border of less than 1/4" (.25).

Does Not Meet U.S. Postal Regulations

The Post Office requires that all mailed postcards must meet certain criteria. Any divergence from their guidelines can result in a delay in processing or increase the mailing rate.

Low Resolution Images

• . Raster graphics such as TIF and JPEG files must have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi (dots per inch). Images with a resolution less than 300 dpi will reproduce poorly on press (the image will look fuzzy and/or pixelated).

• . If you took your images from a website on the internet, there is a good chance that they are not high resolution enough for printing (unless the images came from a stock photography house and are designated high resolution). The internet displays images at 72 dpi, so that the images appear quickly over an internet connection, but under no circumstances should images at this dpi be used for printing.

• . If you submit low-resolution files for printing, you will be asked to sign an online waiver acknowledging that you are aware of the resulting loss of quality and that you will accept the final image as is.

Missing Fonts & Images

• . To prevent missing fonts and images we recommend that you flatten your files before having it zip for mailing.

Corrupt File

As files travel across the internet, they are often stripped of vital code that identifies them and their original file types. Without compressing (win zip / stuff it) them, your files may reach their destination as incomplete or "corrupted" digital files.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Do you accept files that requires PMS Colors?

At the present time we do not accept files that require PMS Colors.

I have ordered a brochure that requires folds that are different from your templates, what type of instructions should I provide?

Please call us for urther directions.

What are the guidelines for bleed?

Please make sure you build 1/4" (.25) bleed into your project and that all text and graphics are 1/4" (.25) from all sides.