Here are frequently asked questions to help you prepare print-ready files:
Bleeds & Crop Marks:
- What is a bleed?
- A bleed is the area beyond the trim edge of your design where images or colors extend beyond the finished size to ensure there are no white edges after trimming.
- What are crop marks? How do I create them?
- Crop marks are lines on the design that indicate where it will be trimmed. In Photoshop, you can create crop marks by selecting "Corner Crop Marks" under the "Output" settings when printing.
- What are guidelines, and how do I prepare them in my artwork?
- Guidelines are lines used to align elements in your design. You can set up guidelines in design software like Photoshop or Illustrator.
- What is Image Area?
- The image area is the portion of your design where your artwork and important content are placed.
- What is the Safe Zone?
- The safe zone is the area within your design where important content should be placed to avoid being trimmed off.
- What is the Trimming Zone?
- The trimming zone is the area where your design will be cut after printing.
- Can I have borders in my artwork?
- Yes, but make sure they are at least 0.125 inches thick to avoid any inconsistencies in trimming.
- How do I setup my print file for Canva.com?
- Ensure your design has proper bleeds and trim marks before exporting from Canva.
Colors & Color Mode:
- How do I match the foreground and background colors on my design?
- Use color swatches or the eyedropper tool to match colors accurately.
- What are the color options?
- You can choose from CMYK, RGB, grayscale, or spot colors.
- What is the acceptable color mode?
- For print, CMYK is preferred.
- What is CMYK?
- CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black - the primary ink colors used in printing.
- What is four color process?
- Four-color process printing uses four ink colors to reproduce a wide range of colors.
- What is RGB color mode? How can I convert RGB to CMYK?
- RGB is the color mode used for digital screens. You can convert RGB to CMYK in design software like Photoshop or Illustrator.
- How important is it to convert my files to CMYK?
- It's essential for print accuracy to convert RGB files to CMYK before printing.
- What is grayscale color mode? What is rich black?
- Grayscale uses shades of gray, while rich black is a black color made with additional ink colors to appear darker.
- What color profile should I use when working with Ai, PS, PDF, and JPG?
- Use CMYK color profiles for print files.
- What is RGB?
- RGB stands for Red, Green, and Blue - the primary colors of light used in digital screens.
- How do CMYK and RGB render differently?
- CMYK is used for printing, while RGB is used for digital screens.
File Formats & Size:
- What is a bitmapped image?
- A bitmapped image is made up of individual pixels, like JPG or PNG files.
- What is a vector image?
- A vector image is made up of mathematical equations and can be scaled infinitely without losing quality, like EPS or AI files.
- What type of print-ready file formats are acceptable for uploads?
- TIFF, PDF, EPS, AI, PSD, and JPG are commonly accepted formats.
- What is the difference between a .TIF and a .TIFF, or a .JPG and a .JPEG?
- They are simply different file extensions for the same file formats.
- What is the maximum file size acceptable for uploads?
- Check with your printing service for specific size limitations.
Typefaces & Fonts:
- What is Serif and Sans-serif?
- Serif fonts have small lines or embellishments at the ends of characters, while sans-serif fonts do not.
- What are decorative fonts/decorative typefaces?
- Decorative fonts are ornamental and often used for artistic or stylized designs.
- What are embedded fonts?
- Embedded fonts are fonts that are included within a file, ensuring consistent display across different systems.
- How do I prepare my fonts and files?
- Convert fonts to outlines or embed them within the file to avoid font compatibility issues.
- What are typefaces and fonts?
- Typefaces refer to the overall design of characters, while fonts are specific variations within a typeface family.
Resolution:
- What is resolution?
- Resolution refers to the number of pixels per inch in an image, affecting its clarity and quality.
- What is the acceptable resolution?
- For print, 300 dpi (dots per inch) is standard for high-quality output.
- What sources may I obtain high-quality images from?
- Use stock photo websites or hire a professional photographer for high-quality images.
Perfect Binding:
- Can I use crossover images and/or copy for my booklets and catalogs?
- Yes, but make sure to allow for sufficient margins and gutter space to accommodate the binding process.
File Orientation:
- How should I rotate my files to ensure they are printed correctly?
- Rotate your files to match the desired orientation (portrait or landscape).
- How should I rotate my Folded Business Card/Greeting Card files to ensure they are printed correctly?
- Ensure the correct orientation for folding, considering both the front and back design.
