Print Ready Checklist

1. Safety and Trim Areas

As you are designing your printed material, keep in mind that any images or text should be placed within the safety or trim areas as noted on our free templates or 1/8" of an inch in from the final cut.

2. Size and Bleed

When designing your documents feel free to use our free design templates. If you are submitting files and not using our templates, it is important that you include a 1/8" bleed on all four sides of your document. If including crop marks, please make sure to center your document within the PDF.

3. Font & Lines

Files created using Illustrator, In Design or Freehand require that text be converted to outlines before saving as a PDF file. Photoshop files should be flattened. Font sizes should be 8 pts and higher. Avoid using small or very narrow fonts with dark backgrounds as they do not print well.

Lines should be at least 1 pt thick. Although you may be able to see them on your screen, they may not be visible on print.

4.What if I have a multiple page document?

If your project is double sided or a multiple page document, please save your pages as a single PDF in the exact order that you would like them to print. Ex: Front Cover = page 1, Inside Front Cover = page 2

5. Artwork with Borders

Borders are NOT recommended. However if you choose to use borders please allow ¼" between the cut line and the border itself.

Therefore, your border should be set up to 3/8" from your bleed line. Uneven borders may be experienced as there is a tolerance of 1/16". Perfect trimming is NOT guaranteed.

6. Full Color Process

When designing full color files, please design using CMYK (4 color process; Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black). A grayscale color mode should be used when submitting black and white graphics or images.

Any files that are sent as LAB, RGB or have additional PMS (Pantone colors) will be returned to the client. If you need us to convert the files for you, there is a chance that a color change/shift will occur. This commonly happens in blues and browns.

7. Image Resolution

In order to obtain the best image and text resolution we recommend that you submit files of at least 300 dpi. Lower resolutions will result in pixilated or bitmapped images and text.

8. USPS Guidelines

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9. Bindery

If you require bleeds, please allow for a 1/8" bleed on all 4 sides.

Saddle-stitched Catalogs
In order to achieve a successful saddle-stitch catalog be sure to widen the safety zone as you work toward pages near the centerfold.

Plastic Coil Bound Catalogs
Plastic coil bound catalog pages are all the same size. Leave a 1/4 gutter between the trim and where you start your text or image. This will allow the needed die-cut space.

10. Folding Lines

Free design templates are provided to assist you with your folded piece. Several folding options are offered, allowing you to create a custom brochure, booklet or catalog