Art Specifications
Art Specifications Page
We accept all versions of Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Corel Draw files up to version 8 , and Quark XPress files up to version 8.
Note: We do not accept Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher or Visio Files as Artwork.
Artwork that is created using vector artwork software such as Freehand, Illustrator and Corel Draw are typically preferable to bitmap images, such as JPEG and GIF files. PPS asks all clients to read the following section on Art Criteria for more information.
Art Criteria
Before you send any electronic art files to PPS, please review the following information about fonts, design, dimensions, general artwork information and how to submit files to PPS.
Fonts
Please send both screen and printer fonts for any Type 1 fonts that you send to PPS with your order. Remember to also include any fonts that were used in placed graphics, especially in EPS files.
The minimum thickness for type for screen printing is 4 point. Typefaces that are considered “lightweight”, “extra bold” or “black” should not be used at this size.
Design
Make sure to include extra area in your artwork for bleeds. When you have graphics that bleed off the edge of the label, add an eighth of an inch outside the dimension and bleed out to that area.
All your artwork should fit proportionately and evenly inside your desired product size.
Make sure to keep in mind that large graphics may contain lines that will be too thin when the image is reduced to finished size.
Line thickness for printing should be a minimum of .007 or .5 point.
The distance the artwork should be kept from the edge of labels or the “cutting tolerance,” should be at least .060″.
Bleed borders should be avoided all together if possible, but if they are absolutely necessary, the border should be at least .09″.
All clear windows and LEDs should have a black border of at least .016″ to facilitate trapping of background colors during production.
Dimensions
Make sure to include all dimensions for size and placement on your drawings. This is important because electronic files can move images. Include an accurate hard copy with all the measurements to ensure that tolerances are met for holes, cutouts, graphics and placement of images and text in your artwork.
Submit Files
Please provide us with artwork in the format that it was originally created, such as Adobe Illustrator (.ai), Corel Draw (.dwg), Adobe PhotoShop (.psd) or Macromedia Freehand (.fh8), so we can provide you with the best possible reproduction of your artwork or logo.
It is important for you to convert all of your text to paths. If you learn how to submit files to PPS and do this before you send us your artwork, font conflicts will be avoided. An option is available in the Type menu in vector artwork software, such as Freehand or Illustrator, that allows you to convert fonts to paths.
All imported graphics should be included with your original source file. Do not use web graphic formats, such as JPEG or GIF files, whenever possible. JPEG and GIF are very common file formats, however there are some drawbacks to using these formats in print production. They do not create the best print image because they are typically created for use on web pages or other on-screen applications. The JPEG format compresses the image data by reducing the number of colors in the file, diminishing the quality of the created graphic compared to the original artwork. The GIF format creates a file that only contains a maximum of 256 colors, which can also greatly affect the quality of the artwork.
Bitmap images should be saved as 300ppi CMYK images. Please provide a file that is twice the size of the final printed product – 200 percent larger – especially if the finished product will be less than 2 inches in size.
Art Proofs
Clients are invited to mail, fax, or email art proofs to PPS. Emailed art proofs will be provided to clients in the Adobe PDF format. If you do not have Adobe’s free PDF reader installed on your computer, just visit www.Adobe.com to download.
Make sure to also include your email address when you place an order. We will need your email address to send your art proofs back to you via email.