Artwork Specifications

We recommend saving as a PDF file. You may also send the file in the following types: JPG, JPEG, TIF, TIFF, and EPS.

We prefer that you send PDF with embedded or outlined fonts. PDF files are easier to handle and will likely speed up your turn-around. Remember to flatten your files before uploading.

To avoid errors please ensure your file and folders contain no extra files or content, only the file intended to be printed.

All files should be in a CMYK colour mode. Printing needs to be in CYMK to help ensure predictable colour consistency from screen to print.

• Percentages of C100, M100, Y100, K100 must note exceed a total of 250%
• To achieve Solid Black in images: C50, M50, Y50, K100
• To achieve Solid Gray in text: K% Only
• Strokes should not be thinner than 0.25pt

If you send us an RGB file, there is a chance that a color shift may occur and you may not be satisfied with your job.

Please do not use any PMS colours in your file. The use of any PMS colours may result in an unwanted colour shift and other unexpected results.

All files should be submitted in their final print size at 300 DPI. Lower resolution images can cause the printed product to look blurry or pixelated. 

Bleed must extend past the cut-line and will be trimmed from the product during the final cutting phase. When the image is required to extend all the way to the edge, bleed is needed to preserve the finished look and the quality of the final product.

Please keep all text at least 0.125" inside the cut-line.

• The bleed for Standard Products is 0.125".
• The bleed for Booklets and Presentation Folders is 0.25".

We recommend using our templates

Yes, but if the border is too close to the cutline, it may be cut off-center slightly.

We cut through many sheets at a time, so watch your borders to avoid an unwanted mistake.

We would recommend no using borders in your design, if possible.

Files submitted are printed HEAD to HEAD as-is based off your files.

Make sure to set up your files so that when we print them HEAD to HEAD the final product will read the way you would like. Also, front and back files need to be set up either both sides vertically or both sides horizontally.

Any transparency issue can be resolved before saving your file.

To prevent this, never use shadows, glows, or any other transparency (image or otherwise) on top of a spot color. Always convert your spot color to CMYK and flatten before sending.

Primarily used to intentionally overlap inks for a number of reasons, overprint can cause unexpected results. We suggest that you turn all overprint objects off before submitting your files.

Unexpected results may occur if you have accidentally set certain objects to overprint. Always check logos and other artwork before submitting.

White Type - Another common file setup error is using overprint for white type. If you are using white type and set it to overprint, it will result in the type "dropping off" the printed piece.

In order to prevent the type from dropping off in your printed piece, we recommend you turn off all type set to overprint. What can also solve this issue will be to flatten all the layers in your file and convert any Pantone and RGB colors to CMYK before submitting your files.

When using a blue in your design, always make sure to leave at least a 30% difference in your Cyan and Magenta .

100% C 100% M 0% Y 0% K

Blue is close to purple in the CMYK spectrum. Remember, use a low amount of magenta whenever using high amounts of cyan to avoid purple.

Example: C-100 M-70 Y-0 k-0

When exporting from any program such as Indesign or Illustrator, use these settings to make sure your PDF files export correctly.

Export settings for PDF files

Adobe PDF Preset is set to: Press Quality

Compatibility is set to: Acrobat 4 (PDF 1.3)

Compress Text and Line Art is set to: Off

Grayscale images that are converted to CMYK will have a color shift in the final print. That shift may be green or yellow.

Always check the CMYK of your grayscale in the final CMYK document. If there are other other than K in your grayscale image, there is a chance that the color will vary.

To eliminate all other than K, use your Channel Mixer (adjustment layer) in Photoshop, then click "Monochrome" and adjust accordingly.

Rich black is an ink mixture of solid black, 100% K, with additional CMY ink . This results in a darker tone than black ink alone. If you print black alone as 100% K, the resulting black may not be as dark as you might like.

We recommend using C 60 M 40 Y 40 K 100. This will give you a deep, dark, rich black.

*Products that are printed with dye-sublimation (9oz Premium Polyester Banner, Flags, Table Covers, Fabric Tube Displays, etc.) call for the following color :

C 100 M 100 Y 100 K 100

Many things can cause banding. Banding can be caused by the program that it is exported from, such as Indesign or Corel. Also, too many gradient steps, for example going from a very light color to a dark color, in a small area will cause banding.

To prevent this, check your digital files before sending. If you use a gradient, make sure it has enough room for a smooth transition.

All fonts should be outlined, to help avoid any potential font issues.

Print Zilla will not be held responsible for any misplacement of content, pixelated images, selling or typos on customer files.

Print Zilla will not be held responsible for any print errors caused by unexpected overprint.

Print Zilla will not be held responsible for any dissatisfaction of print quality caused by not following any of the above guidelines.