What file types are accepted?
What color space should I send my files in?
What are the bleed requirements?
What are your resolution requirements?
Should I include crop marks in my file?
Can I include front and back images in 1 file?
How do I set up a Spot UV, Emboss, Die-cut or Foil file?
Can I split my order between two or more people?
How can I set up a file for Silver ink?
How do I set up an Metallic's Unlimited (MU) file?

 

 

 

 

 

 

What file types are accepted?

.AI (Adobe Illustrator), .PSD (Adobe Photoshop), .EPS, .PDF, JPG, .TIF, TIFF, PING

 

What color space should I send my files in?

All files should be sent in CMYK. Any files submitted in RGB may experience unacceptable color shifting. All files submitted in RGB are automatically converted to CMYK.

 

What are the bleed requirements?

All files must include a 1/8" (0.125 inch) bleed regardless if your design bleeds to the edge or not. An example of bleed setup for a 4" x 6" postcard would be 4.125" x 6.125".

 

What are your resolution requirements?

All rasterized (bitmap) images must be at least 300 dpi. However, 400 dpi for photo images and 1200 dpi for text and line art is highly recommended.

 

Should I include crop marks in my file?

Don't ever include crop marks in your artwork. Always submit your artwork at trim size + bleed. An example of bleed setup for a 4" x 6" postcard would be 4.125" x 6.125".

 

Can I include front and back images in 1 file?

Each side of your artwork must be in a separate file. Do not put both front and back in the same file.

 

How do I set up a Spot UV, Emboss, Die-cut or Foil file?

SPOT UV, EMBOSS, DIE-CUT or FOIL File Setup

When creating a Spot UV, Emboss or foil job, You must include a template file (MASK) along with the regular full color file. The MASK file is used to show where the upgrade will be placed.

Use 100% K to indicate where you would like the UV, Emboss or Foil. Include the word "MASK" in your file name for the upgrade file.   Can I split my order between two or more people? Often we are asked if we can split an order of 1000 business cards between two people. Unfortunately, we are not able to do this. Each order can only be for one file.   How can I set up a file for Silver ink? Silver ink files must be sent in a vector format. You must use a vector program, like Illustrator or Indesign, to call out the object you want in silver ink.   VECTOR BASED PROGRAMS ONLY - NO RASTERIZED IMAGES To indicate the silver ink, you must set the object color to Pantone® 877 C. Any other color will not be accepted as silver. Also, labeling the layer as "silver mask" or "silver" will not qualify your file.     How do I set up an Metallics Unlimited (MU) file? With our Metallic's Unlimited (MU) system, you can make any CMYK color or full color image into a metallic color. MU jobs must be created in Photoshop. In addition to your full color artwork, you must add a channel to your final file. After creating your full color design in a Photoshop layer, select what you would like to be metallic with the magic wand or selection tool.   Make sure when making your selection, to only select the area that you need metallic. The MU system will not work on gradients so do not include them in your selection. After the selection is made, go to the channels palet, then the channels menu, and select "New Spot Channel..."   Make sure the name of your spot channel is "mu channel". Under "Ink Characteristics", color is set to, C 0 M 0 Y 0 K 100. Solidity is set to 100%. The black parts indicate what will be metallic and the white parts will print as normal CMYK ink. Remember, the color or area you indicated in the chanels must match the same area you want metallic in your layers.   Save your file as a "Photoshop DCS 2.0" file. The extension for this file will be .EPS. Your file is now ready to send to The Business Card Shoppe. Remember, MU works better with lighter colors and we cannot guarantee any color matching.