ARTWORK REQUIREMENTS

We do all of our printing from vector based artwork files. This provides us the ability to separate your file into the appropriate spot colors for films and screens. Vector files also ensure that you have crisp clean edges, providing you the best possible look to the final print. Read below for what file types we accept. We can always create artwork for you if you don't have the needed files.

Vector File Types

We accept these vector files to use for your prints. Please ensure all fonts are outlined, there are no embedded images and that each color is set as a spot color (including white). It is also a good idea to have the design set at the size you would like the final print to be.

.eps

This vector based file format is more universal. While not viewable without the proper program it is a preferred file type for us.

.pdf

Vector pdf files are a great way to save your artwork. They are viewable by most computer users and can retain all of the vector editing capabilities.

.ai

Native Adobe Illustrator file format for vector based graphics. It can only be viewed in Illustrator.

Unaccepted file types

The below file types are either a non-vector format or a format we do not prefer. Any files submitted in these formats will most likely need to be recreated into vector artwork.

.jpg, .gif, .png

These file types are raster based images. They are not suitable for screen printing as is. These would need to be recreated.

.doc, .docx, .ppt

These files can contain images as well as text, but they are not set up for printing as is and will need to be recreated into vector artwork.

.psd, .cdr

While these formats can create amazing looking designs. Photoshop is a raster based program, and Corel Draw is a vector program but these files are not able to be used with how we print and are not preferred file types.

Vector vs Raster

Vector graphics are created with lines and shapes mathematically. They are scalable to any size with no loss of quality. You could print these very large with no issues. On the other hand raster graphics are created using pixels. You use them every day when you take a photograph. Each pixel represents a color and as a whole they create the image. These types of files include jpg and gif. They are not scalable without loss in quality. In the example below you can clearly see the difference between vector and raster images.

For screen printing raster images may be used, but we reserve it for images where recreating them into vector would have a loss of fine detail (ex. a portrait photo). Typically the image must be converted to a single ink color.

Vector(left) vs. Raster(right)

Vector

Raster


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