Customer Help & FAQ Center
Get helpful file setup tips. Please choose a Setup Guide:
Files need to be built to the final trim size plus 1/8" bleed on each side. Therefore, if you are ordering a 5 x 7 postcard, the graphic file's size should 5.25" x 7.25". When generating the file into the proper format, do not use any crop or printer's marks as these will increase the dimensions of the design file.
For best printing results, we recommend files to have a resolution of at least 300 dpi. Submitting files with resolution lower than 300 dpi may result in the print turning out pixelated or blurry.
All full color artwork and/or images must be saved in CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) color mode. While black and white artwork and/or images must be in grayscale color mode.
Files submitted in RGB or Pantone color mode will be converted automatically to CMYK. Converting these to CMYK would cause a shift since they are not of the same color spectrum.
Do not place any critical images or text beyond the safety zone, which should be at least 1/8" within the final trim size. This will ensure that they are well within the finished piece when it is trimmed.
When creating files on vector based software such a illustrator, inDesign, or Freehand, all text must be converted to outlines before generating the final PDF file. If working out of Photoshop, simply flatten the image. Do not use fonts smaller than 8 pts. Note that small or very narrow fonts may not render well on print against dark backgrounds.
Keep all lines at least .25 pts thick. While thinner lines may be visible on screen, they may not show on print.
When trimmed, the border should be 1/4" thick. Therefore, it should be set up to be 3/8" from the bleed line. There is a cutting tolerance of 1/16" which may cause uneven borders. We do not recommend borders. However, if they are necessary in your artwork, keep the minimum border thickness to make it possible for us to cut as evenly as possible. We do not guarantee perfect trimming.
Files need to be built to the final trim size plus 1/8" bleed on each side. Therefore, if you are ordering a 5 x 7 postcard, the graphic file's size should 5.25" x 7.25". When generating the file into the proper format, do not use any crop or printer's marks as these will increase the dimensions of the design file.
For best printing results, we recommend files to have a resolution of at least 300 dpi. Submitting files with resolution lower than 300 dpi may result in the print turning out pixelated or blurry.
All full color artwork and/or images must be saved in CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) color mode. While black and white artwork and/or images must be in grayscale color mode.
Files submitted in RGB or Pantone color mode will be converted automatically to CMYK. Converting these to CMYK would cause a shift since they are not of the same color spectrum.
Do not place any critical images or text beyond the safety zone, which should be at least 1/8" within the final trim size. This will ensure that they are well within the finished piece when it is trimmed.
When creating files on vector based software such a illustrator, inDesign, or Freehand, all text must be converted to outlines before generating the final PDF file. If working out of Photoshop, simply flatten the image. Do not use fonts smaller than 8 pts. Note that small or very narrow fonts may not render well on print against dark backgrounds.
Keep all lines at least .25 pts thick. While thinner lines may be visible on screen, they may not show on print.
When trimmed, the border should be 1/4" thick. Therefore, it should be set up to be 3/8" from the bleed line. There is a cutting tolerance of 1/16" which may cause uneven borders. We do not recommend borders. However, if they are necessary in your artwork, keep the minimum border thickness to make it possible for us to cut as evenly as possible. We do not guarantee perfect trimming.
Saddle-stitched Catalogs
When setting up files for saddle-stitched catalogs, be aware of creeping. It occurs
when the inside pages move further away from the cover where they are stapled as the
number of pages increase. Therefore it is best to widen the safety zone as you work
towards pages near the centerfold.
Wire-O Bound Catalogs
For this type of bindery, all pages are of the same size. On the side of the page
where the wire-o will be placed, leave 1/4" free of vital text and images to
leave room for the hole punch.
On both types of bindery, a bleed of 1/8" on each side of each page is required.
Files need to be built to the final trim size plus 1/8" bleed on each side. Therefore, if you are ordering a 5 x 7 postcard, the graphic file's size should 5.25" x 7.25". When generating the file into the proper format, do not use any crop or printer's marks as these will increase the dimensions of the design file.
For best printing results, we recommend files to have a resolution of at least 300 dpi. Submitting files with resolution lower than 300 dpi may result in the print turning out pixelated or blurry.
All full color artwork and/or images must be saved in CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) color mode. While black and white artwork and/or images must be in grayscale color mode.
Files submitted in RGB or Pantone color mode will be converted automatically to CMYK. Converting these to CMYK would cause a shift since they are not of the same color spectrum.
Do not place any critical images or text beyond the safety zone, which should be at least 1/8" within the final trim size. This will ensure that they are well within the finished piece when it is trimmed.
When creating files on vector based software such a illustrator, inDesign, or Freehand, all text must be converted to outlines before generating the final PDF file. If working out of Photoshop, simply flatten the image. Do not use fonts smaller than 8 pts. Note that small or very narrow fonts may not render well on print against dark backgrounds.
Keep all lines at least .25 pts thick. While thinner lines may be visible on screen, they may not show on print.
When trimmed, the border should be 1/4" thick. Therefore, it should be set up to be 3/8" from the bleed line. There is a cutting tolerance of 1/16" which may cause uneven borders. We do not recommend borders. However, if they are necessary in your artwork, keep the minimum border thickness to make it possible for us to cut as evenly as possible. We do not guarantee perfect trimming.
For folded pieces, we suggest you download our file setup templates.
We also give you the option to create custom size brochures. Refer to our Brochure Folding Guide to see the difference between our different folding options and determine which is best for your brochures.
Files need to be built to the final trim size plus 1/8" bleed on each side. Therefore, if you are ordering a 5 x 7 postcard, the graphic file's size should 5.25" x 7.25". When generating the file into the proper format, do not use any crop or printer's marks as these will increase the dimensions of the design file.
For best printing results, we recommend files to have a resolution of at least 300 dpi. Submitting files with resolution lower than 300 dpi may result in the print turning out pixelated or blurry.
All full color artwork and/or images must be saved in CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) color mode. While black and white artwork and/or images must be in grayscale color mode.
Files submitted in RGB or Pantone color mode will be converted automatically to CMYK. Converting these to CMYK would cause a shift since they are not of the same color spectrum.
Do not place any critical images or text beyond the safety zone, which should be at least 1/8" within the final trim size. This will ensure that they are well within the finished piece when it is trimmed.
When creating files on vector based software such a illustrator, inDesign, or Freehand, all text must be converted to outlines before generating the final PDF file. If working out of Photoshop, simply flatten the image. Do not use fonts smaller than 8 pts. Note that small or very narrow fonts may not render well on print against dark backgrounds.
Keep all lines at least .25 pts thick. While thinner lines may be visible on screen, they may not show on print.
When trimmed, the border should be 1/4" thick. Therefore, it should be set up to be 3/8" from the bleed line. There is a cutting tolerance of 1/16" which may cause uneven borders. We do not recommend borders. However, if they are necessary in your artwork, keep the minimum border thickness to make it possible for us to cut as evenly as possible. We do not guarantee perfect trimming.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has very strict guidelines in order for a mail piece to be qualified for discounted postage rates.
For custom size postcards for mailing, here are a few file setup guidelines:
- Indicia - Leave 1 1/4" x 1 1/4" white space on the upper right hand corner for the postal Indicia
- Address Area - It is safe to leave a 2" high x 4" wide white space for printing the recipient's address and the barcode
- Finished Size - Minimum size 4.25 x 5.5", Maximum size 6 x 11"
- When selecting a custom size postcard for mailing, make sure the aspect ratio is between 1.5 – 2.5. (The aspect ratio of an image is its width divided by its height.)
- USPS does not accept rounded corner cards for Bulk Mailing.
- Thickness not more than 0.25 inch or less than 0.009 inch thick
- Total weight not more than 3 oz. to qualify for bulk rates