We frequently receive files created in Canva or Adobe Creative Cloud from our customers. While these programs are great design platforms, they often lack important information needed to generate print-ready artwork. Let’s discuss some important elements to check before sending your art to print.
Document Color Space
Make sure your document color space is CMYK, not RGB. Unlike CMYK, RGB does not contain a true black. Therefore, your RGB files may look different when converted to CMYK for printing. By designing your artwork in the correct mode, you can help prevent color errors during the printing process.Document Size
Document size should be the same as the finished size.Colors
If you are using PMS colors in your design and your item is being printed in CMYK (4-Color Process), you will need to convert your file to CMYK before saving your print ready artwork.Rich Black
In CMYK printing, all inks are made slightly translucent so they can interact and create millions of other colors. Because of this, if you have black areas on your design, please use a rich black to give those areas more substance. Each artist usually has their own formula for rich black. This mixture, C-60, M-40, Y-40, K-100, provides a rich color and is the recommended formula. Another possible mixture is C-50, M-50, Y-0, K-100, which is a starker black with blue undertones.Fonts
Convert your fonts to outlines (in some programs, this process may be called “Converting to Curves”). Outlining your text prevents the file from having any font loading errors within our pre-flight equipment. However, always make sure your working file maintains editable text, so that you may continue editing later as needed.Bleed & Crop Marks
If your artwork contains color, images, or text that runs off of any sides, you must add a bleed to your document. In most programs, this is a setting listed under “File Settings.” Different products call for different bleeds and crop configurations, but let’s break down some of the most common ones:
- If your document is printing on a press with paper or card stock, you will need an ⅛” of bleed and crop marks.
- On booklets and folders, we recommend a ¼” of bleed and crop marks.
- On coroplast, PVC, foamcore, car magnets, banner stands, and large posters, a ½” of bleed is needed with no crop marks.
- On loose outdoor banners, indoor banners, and canvas banners, we request that no bleed or crop marks are placed. Instead, adjust your file to the size you are ordering (or a proportional size). If ordering hems, leave a 2″ safe zone on all sides. In general, expect to lose between ⅛” to 2″ per side with banners.
- On mounted canvas, it is highly recommended to use our templates. The bleed requirement is 2″ per side.
If you do not see your item listed above, please feel free to ask our team. You can send your requests and questions to orders@jptgraphics.com, and we will be happy to guide you in the right direction. And of course, if you need professional help laying out your design, we have a wonderfully skilled crew of experienced designers on staff.
Tag: print
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Customers often ask us why they have to pay for set-up charges on items like t-shirts, certain door mats, and many promotional items. The answer is simple: These items are made using a process called “Screen Printing,” also known as “Silkscreening.”
During this process, a large, silk screen is made of the imprint. The area containing your logo or image is left empty so that ink can pass through the silk onto the product. The rest of the space outside of your logo or image is then covered with emulsion to block the transfer of ink. With time and usage, that emulsion becomes brittle and begins separating from the screen. Because of this breakdown, a new screen needs to be made every year, or even on the next run in certain cases.
Let’s break down what that means for your product orders:
Mats: If you have already ordered flocked mats within the past 12 months, you will not be charged for a new screen, since your previous screen is on file and still usable. You will only be charged a reduced $35 set-up fee. If it’s been over 12 months, then a new screen will need to be made for a $100 charge. However, not all mats are screen printed. Nylon Dye or Direct Printed mats are gaining in popularity, so these charges can depend on the type of mat you are ordering.
Promotional Items: Promotional manufacturers do not keep screens from previous orders, but many will offer a reduced screen charge on repeat orders placed within 12 months. If it’s been over 12 months since your last order, the full set-up and screen charge will apply.
T-Shirts and Printed Apparel: T-Shirts are run in greater quantities, so the screens for those products will need to be remade on each order.
Ultimately, set-up and screen charges are a large, intensive part of production. They often require about half of the labor and resources of running a full order. For that reason, we encourage customers to order a larger quantity at a time if they know the product will eventually be used. That way, they can receive a lower unit price and avoid paying repeat set-up charges.
If you have any more questions about the printing process, please reach out to your JPT customer service contact. We are happy to explain the procedures and why things work the way they do.
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Ordering business cards and other printed material has been a long-term problem for all businesses. JPT Graphics has the solution you seek… a custom order portal powered by our own efficient Jet Proof Templates™.
It’s simple! You log in, proof and approve the item(s) you’re ordering, click ‘Order All’, confirm billing and shipping information, and you’re all done! You determine the items you want displayed on your order site. Pre-determined formats and templates assure that only approved products are purchased.
The technology works for both static (non-changing) items, such as blank line business cards for leasing professionals, and for those with variable data, such as your business cards. We build Jet Proof Templates™ for each product. Your purchasers log on, personalize the item, and then see an INSTANT online proof.
The approval process includes two steps, in case your firm wants a manager to approve the order. Step one is to approve the proof generated, and step two is to order an approved proof. Then, just confirm the default shipping address or type in an alternate address and VOILA! The order is on its way to us for production.
On our end, the job goes to press immediately, much faster than traditional methods. Before Jet Proof Templates™ was developed, an order would come in, get written up, given to the production manager, be assigned to an artist, artwork created, proofs emailed, corrections made, more proofs, approvals faxed in which would go through a final internal proofing and THEN get sent to press. The Jet Proof Templates™ technology has removed days, in some cases weeks, from the turnaround time.
If you do not have a custom order portal, contact us today!
Living in a CMYK World 