Welcome to our NEW Print Guide!
This help guide is to answer any preliminary questions that you may have and eliminate any confusion caused by industry " jargon " that you may hear. If you have any additional questions or concerns please contact us at 1.800.999.CHOICE (2464) during normal business hours.Resolution
Resolution is measured in DPI (Dots Per Inch) or PPI (Pixels Per Inch) and can be described as the number of dots that fit into a one-inch space. Generally, the more dots per inch means a more detailed and crisp image.Rules to go by:
Optimum printing requires that an image have at least 300 dpi
If a file is not 300 dpi and you increase a low resolution image to a higher dpi this creates a blurry image.
EXAMPLE:
If you find an image from the internet that you would like to use for your printed project and try to increase the file size to a higher resolution, then you will end up with a blurred, less detailed image. See below:
Low resolution images should be replaced with a new photo or image entirely to guarantee that the resolution is 300 dpi or higher. Simply adjusting a low dpi to a higher one in any photo editing software will result in poor print quality as well.
Color Mode
There are two predominant types of color modes. RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is used for web production and has fewer colors than the CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) mode used in print. If you submit files using any other color mode (like RGB or Pantone), then they will be converted to CMYK during the printing process. Converting from one color mode such as RGB to CMYK may result in a color shift or complete loss of some colors all together.
**Hard copy proofs are recommended for any job that is color specific. Hard copy proofs are the only way to know exactly what your job will look like before it's printed.**
FAQ: Do I need to use the CMYK color mode?
Yes. If files are submitted using any color standard other than CMYK, then they will be converted to CMYK during the printing process. Converting from one color mode such as RGB to another like CMYK may result in a color shift or complete loss of certain colors.
FAQ: Can Choice Marketing help me prepare my files?
Yes. Choice Marketing has a talented design staff that will convert and optimize most of your artwork without even being asked. We experience most problems, however, when artwork is not provided with the right resolution or dpi (dots per inch). For more information about resolution refer to the section above.
File Formats
We accept photos and artwork in any of the following formats: .jpg, .eps, .tif, .psd and .pdf. **Please keep in mind artwork must be submitted in high resolution.**
We accept text documents in any of the following formats: .doc, .docx, and .pdf. **Please note that if you have a text file in any other format than the ones listed above, we encourage you to create and editable .pdf file.**
Bleed, Cut Line & Safety
Bleed: The area of a printed piece that extends beyond what will be the final product. (Represented by the yellow area in example provided below)
Cut line: The imaginary line around a printed piece that will be trimmed in the final production process. (Represented by the blue dotted line in example provided below)
Safety: The area around a printed piece that is safe from getting eliminated during the printing and trimming process. (Represented by the white dotted line in example provided below)
EXAMPLE:
A 4 in.x 6 in. postcard with a full bleed should have an image size of 4.25 in. x 6.25 in. 1/8 in. (0.125 in.) on each card will be cut off each side during the trimming process so this will leave you with a 4 in. x 6 in. final postcard. Your type (text) should be at least 0.125 in. inside the cut box on each side in order to guarantee your text will not be trimmed from your artwork.
To ensure an image extends off the edge of a printed piece, the image must continue at least 1/8 in. (0.125 in.) beyond the final dimensions of each side of the paper. Add a total of 0.25 in. to your original artwork size for a proper bleed. (0.125 in. to each side of the artwork results in a total of .25 in. margins)
**We may also cut 0.125 in. from each side of any other print piece such as posters and brochures when specified.**
Phone:
Local:
Fax:
Email:
Location:
1.800.999.CHOICE (2464)
610.494.1270
610.494.8074
info@choicemarketing.net
369 Turner Industrial Way
Aston, PA 19014
