The Preflight Process
We handle the details of the printing process so you don’t have to. Our dedicated Preflight Team reviews your submitted artwork to ensure it’s print-ready. Think of them as a safety net—if there’s any concern that your artwork might not print as intended, they’ll reach out to explain the issue. Rest assured, flagged artwork won’t be printed without your approval, so you won’t have to worry about any illegible prints.
If you have any questions about your artwork before uploading it, feel free to visit our Knowledge Center or contact us directly!
Understanding Your Software
Vectorize Your Design
Using vector software such as Adobe Illustrator eliminates concerns about resolution. Creating artwork from scratch in this program is an excellent way to.
Set Resolution to 300dpi
Raster-based programs to create images, so a higher resolution is crucial for sharpness. For optimal quality, we recommend a resolution of at least 300dpi.
Contact Art Services
Our Art Services Team can redraw most existing artwork at a higher quality.Contact the Art Services Team for a quote to visualize your artwork.
Adobe Illustrator
Illustrator allows you to convert your live fonts to outlines. To convert text to outlines in Illustrator, select the text and go to Type > Create Outlines.
Adobe Photoshop
In Photoshop, duplicate the type layer first by selecting Layer > Duplicate. Then, rasterize the copy by choosing Type > Rasterize Type Layer.
Corel Draw
In Corel, convert your text to a curve by selecting it with the Pick Tool, then go to Arrange > Convert to Curves. Also, right-click the text and choose Convert to Curves.
Sizing
4" x 6" Template
9" x 12.75" Template
12" x 12" Template
12.75" x 19" Template
Checking Small Details
We print your artwork at the exact size of the file you upload. For instance, if you select a 9" x 12.75" sheet size and upload a 6" x 8" graphic, we’ll print it at 6" x 8". If your artwork is too large, our Preflight Team may suggest choosing a larger sheet size. Alternatively, you can select the custom resize option during upload and input your preferred dimensions, and we’ll resize your image for free.
You can also download a starter template to help size your artwork in your graphics software. The template doubles as a helpful guide to remind you of the necessary steps before submitting your design!
We print your artwork at the exact size of the file you upload. For example, if you choose a 9" x 12.75" sheet size and upload a 6" x 8" graphic, we will print it at 6" x 8". If your artwork is too large, our Preflight Team may recommend selecting a larger sheet size. Alternatively, you can choose the custom resize option during the upload process, input your desired size, and we'll resize your image for free.
Additionally, you can download a starter template to help you size your artwork in your graphics software. This template also serves as a handy reference for the steps you need to take before submitting your design!
Copyright
If your design includes copyrighted or licensed images, we’ll require documentation proving ownership or proof of commission from the licensed property owner. This documentation will be kept on file under your account to protect the intellectual property of all parties involved.
Color Modes
When printing full-color images, ensure your color mode is set to CMYK for the most accurate color representation. Some RGB colors, especially bright and vibrant hues visible on your monitor or phone, cannot be replicated with standard CMYK inks. Printing an RGB image may result in a flag from our Preflight Team, as the conversion to CMYK can cause a loss in vibrancy.
There are two main color modes used in artwork design:
- RGB (Red, Green, Blue): Colors of light used to create images on screens like TVs and computer monitors.
- CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black): Colors of ink used in printing.
For help converting RGB to CMYK in your software, check out our help article.
