ARTWORK FAQ

Here is a list of some of our most frequently asked questions regarding artwork, guidelines, and file submissions. If you have any questions, you can email our graphic design dept. at:
artwork@vivid-printing.com

If you have NO IDEA what any of this means, you may want to check out our Professional
Layout & Design Service.

Do you offer an Online Design Tool?

Yes we do. Although for best results, we prefer you have your artwork professionally designed and prepared for print, if you’d prefer to design it yourself, try this online design tool.

What file types do you accept?

PDF, JPG, TIF, EPS, for PC or MAC. PDF is highly recommended.

When should I scale down my artwork?

It is not always necessary to scale your artwork down but here are a few good things to know.

Vector Art – Will your file be over 200″? If yes you will want to scale it down by half. While Illustrator has a maximum document size nearly 228″. Acrobat and others will only read up to 200″ resulting in lost artwork. So while the artwork looks ok in Illustrator, it will not print correctly.

Raster Art – Will your file be over 30,000 pixels along either axis? If yes you will need to reduce the resolution of the file to reduce the overall file size to 30,000 or less. This will maintain the correct file size and aspect ratio. Don’t be worried about losing quality. A 30,000 pixel document at 150dpi is nearly 16′ and would not be viewed close up anyway.

Should I include any fonts with my files?

No, please ensure all fonts are outlined prior to file upload. If using Photoshop, please provide the flattened file only.

Should I include crop marks on my artwork so you know where to cut?

Absolutely not. Please do not include crop marks, color bars, registration marks or any other indicators that you do not want printed on the final piece.

Can I add a border to my banner or yard sign?

Yes, but it’s not recommended. Borders are an issue because all substrates will vary from batch to batch making exact cuts very difficult. We recommend that you do not design your file with a border. If you do, we will not reprint an order with borders of varying widths. If you absolutely must have a border, make it at least 2 inches in thickness, however we still do not recommend borders.

What is overprint and how can it ruin my file?

Primarily used to intentionally overlap inks for a number of reasons, overprint can cause unexpected results. We suggest that you turn all overprint objects off before submitting your files

What is rich black and how do I get it?

Rich black is an ink mixture of solid black, 100% K, with additional CMY ink values. This results in a darker tone than black ink alone. If you print black alone as 100% K, the resulting black may not be as dark as you might like.

100% Black On-Screen:

100% Black After Print:

We recommend using

C 60 M 40 Y 40 K 100

We recommend using

How do I get a grayscale image in a CMYK document?

Grayscale images that are converted to CMYK will have a color shift in the final print.

Always check the CMYK values of your grayscale in the final CMYK document. If there are other values other then K in your grayscale image, there is a chance that the color will vary.

To eliminate all values other then K, use your Channel Mixer (adjustment layer) in Photoshop, then click “Monochrome” and adjust accordingly.

Do I need bleed for my files?

Coroplast – ensure you have .5″ on all sides of your artwork, do not add crops.

Magnets – ensure you have .5″ on all sides of your artwork, do not add crops.

13oz Vinyl – no bleed, no crops – make your artwork exactly the size you are ordering. We suggest you keep any important text / artwork 2 inches inward from the edge of your artwork as to avoid any elements being cut off / hemmed over.

What color mode should my files be in?

If you send us an RGB file, there is a chance that a color shift may occur and you may not be satisfied with your job.

You should always start and finish your designs in CMYK color mode. Never use PMS or Pantone Colors.

Are there any color issues to consider when setting up files for signs, magnets, or banners?

Are there any color issues to consider when setting up files for signs, magnets, or banners?

Coroplast – Due to the nature of Coroplast, most of your light colors and/or pastels are more susceptible to streaks, fingerprints, smudges, and smears. Cyan and Light Cyan are often an issue as the ink does not penetrate the substrate heavy enough to cover some of these smudges or fingerprints. When setting up your files, try to avoid large areas of solid light colors and gradients. If you must have a large area of solid color, try to keep your T.A.C. (Total Area Coverage) above 150 if possible. This means that when you add up all of the CMYK values, your total will add up to 150(%) out of a full 400% build. i.e. Rich Black T.A.C. is 240% C-60 M-40 Y-40 K-100.

Magnets – Our magnetic substrate is especially prone to fingerprints and scratches. If you follow the T.A.C. as mentioned above in the Coroplast portion of this FAQ, you should be fine.

My file contains a transparency, will it print OK?

No. Even the smallest transparency issue will cause problems with a printed file. It is always best to flatten any file you send to us. Outline fonts and ensure that your file is in CMYK mode for best results. We consider flattening transparency part of basic file setup and will not check for this issue. If you are uncertain how to flatten transparencies in your file or if you would like us to explain how to check for transparency problems please contact us prior to submitting an order.

May I submit multiple artwork files for a single order?

At this time, we can only accept 1 piece of artwork for any single job of any quantity.