FAQs

Offset printing is a widely used printing technique that involves transferring ink from a plate to a rubber blanket, and then onto the printing surface. Here's how it works:

1. Prepress: First, a digital or physical copy of the image or text is created, which is then transferred onto a plate made of aluminum, which is coated with a photosensitive emulsion.
2. Plate Making: The plate is exposed to light, which hardens the emulsion in the areas where the image or text is present. The plate is then developed, which removes the unexposed emulsion, leaving behind a raised image or text on the plate.
3. Ink Application: The plate is mounted onto the printing press, and ink is applied to it. The ink adheres to the raised image areas on the plate, but not to the non-image areas, which are kept wet by a water or dampening system.
4. Printing: The plate comes in contact with a rubber blanket, which is then pressed against the paper or other substrate, transferring the ink onto the surface.
5. Finishing: After printing, the ink is allowed to dry, and any necessary finishing such as cutting, binding, or folding is performed.

Offset printing works by using the principle that oil-based ink and water-based dampening system do not mix. This allows for precise and high-quality printing on a variety of surfaces, including paper, cardboard, and plastic. It is a popular choice for high-volume printing jobs such as books, magazines, and catalogs, as well as for producing high-quality prints of fine art and photography.

Digital printing is a printing technique that involves directly printing an image or document from a digital file onto the printing surface, without the need for physical plates or rollers. Here's how it works:

1. Prepress: First, a digital file of the image or text is created using software such as Adobe Photoshop or InDesign. The file is then sent to the digital printing press.
2. Ink Application: The digital printing press uses a combination of toner or ink cartridges and a printing drum or belt to apply the ink or toner directly onto the printing surface. The ink or toner is applied in tiny dots that are combined to create the image or text.
3. Printing: The printing surface is fed through the digital printing press, which applies the ink or toner to the surface in a single pass. Unlike offset printing, there is no need for separate plates or rollers for each color, as the digital printing press can apply multiple colors in a single pass.
4. Finishing: After printing, the ink or toner is allowed to dry, and any necessary finishing such as cutting, binding, or folding is performed.

Digital printing is a popular choice for short-run printing jobs, such as business cards, brochures, flyers, and other marketing materials. It offers fast turnaround times, high-quality prints, and the ability to print variable data, such as personalized names or addresses. Digital printing is also more environmentally friendly than traditional printing methods, as it generates less waste and uses less ink.

Large format printing is a printing technique used to create large-scale prints, typically for use in signage, banners, posters, and other promotional materials. Here's how it works:

1. Prepress: First, a digital file of the image or text is created using software such as Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. The file is then sent to the large format printer.
2. Ink Application: Large format printers use either inkjet or dye-sublimation technology to apply the ink to the printing surface. Inkjet printers use tiny droplets of ink that are sprayed onto the surface, while dye-sublimation printers use heat to transfer dye onto the surface.
3. Printing: The printing surface is fed through the large format printer, which applies the ink or dye in a single pass. Large format printers can handle a wide variety of materials, including paper, vinyl, canvas, and fabric.
4. Finishing: After printing, the large format print may be laminated or mounted onto a backing board to protect it and make it more durable.

Large format printing allows for the creation of eye-catching and highly visible prints, making it an effective advertising tool for businesses and organizations. It offers the ability to print on a wide range of materials and can produce prints up to several meters in size. Large format printing is used in a variety of industries, including retail, hospitality, sports and entertainment, and more.

1. Offset printing: a traditional printing method that involves transferring ink from a plate to a rubber blanket and then onto the printing surface.
2. Digital printing: a modern printing method that involves directly printing an image or document from a digital file onto the printing surface without the need for physical plates or rollers.
3. Letterpress printing: a printing method that involves pressing a raised image or text onto the printing surface using a printing press.
4. Flexographic printing: a printing method that uses flexible printing plates and a rotary press to print on a variety of substrates such as paper, plastic, and metal.
5. Gravure printing: a printing method that uses engraved cylinders to transfer ink onto the printing surface.
6. Screen printing: a printing method that involves pressing ink through a stencil onto the printing surface using a mesh screen.
7. Inkjet printing: a printing method that uses tiny droplets of ink to create an image or text on the printing surface.
8. Dye-sublimation printing: a printing method that uses heat to transfer dye onto the printing surface, typically used for printing on fabrics or other materials.
9. Large format printing: a printing method used to create large-scale prints for use in signage, banners, and other promotional materials.
10. 3D printing: a printing method that uses computer-controlled machines to create three-dimensional objects by layering materials such as plastics, metals, and ceramics.
11. Each type of printing has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, making them suitable for different applications and industries.

Each type of printing has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, making them suitable for different applications and industries.

A vector file is a type of digital image file that is created using mathematical equations to represent lines, shapes, and curves. Unlike raster images, which are made up of pixels, vector files are resolution-independent, meaning they can be scaled up or down without losing quality or becoming pixelated.

Vector files are commonly used in graphic design and illustration, as they are ideal for creating logos, icons, and other types of graphics that need to be resized frequently. Some common types of vector files include Adobe Illustrator files (AI), Encapsulated PostScript files (EPS), and Scalable Vector Graphics files (SVG). These file formats can be opened and edited using specialized software such as Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape.

A raster file, also known as a bitmap image, is a digital image file that is made up of a grid of pixels, each with a specific color value. Each pixel is assigned a color value based on its position in the grid, which creates the overall image

Raster files are commonly used for photographs and digital artwork that contains complex color gradients, shading, and other fine details. Examples of raster file formats include JPEG, PNG, BMP, and TIFF.

One limitation of raster files is that they are resolution-dependent, which means that the quality of the image is directly tied to the resolution, or the number of pixels per inch (PPI), a good printable resolution is 300 DPI. If a raster image is scaled up, the pixels become more visible, which can result in a loss of quality and sharpness. This is why raster images are not always suitable for large-format printing or other applications that require high-quality, scalable graphics.

A PDF (Portable Document Format) file can contain both vector and raster elements, depending on how the file was created.

PDF files are primarily designed for document sharing and can contain a range of elements, including text, images, and graphics. If the graphic elements in the PDF were created using vector-based software such as Adobe Illustrator, then those elements will remain vector-based and scalable within the PDF. This means that they can be enlarged or reduced without losing quality.

However, if the graphic elements in the PDF were created using raster-based software such as Adobe Photoshop, then those elements will be raster-based and resolution-dependent. This means that they will lose quality if scaled up beyond their original size.

So, in summary, a PDF file can contain both vector and raster elements, depending on how the file was created and what type of graphic elements it contains.

CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (black), which are the four primary colors used in most color printing processes. A CMYK file is a digital image file that uses this color model to represent colors that will be printed using ink on paper or other substrates

CMYK files are used in professional printing, such as offset printing or digital printing, to create high-quality printed materials such as brochures, flyers, and business cards. The colors in a CMYK file are created by mixing various percentages of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks.

It is important to note that CMYK colors are not the same as RGB (Red, Green, Blue) colors, which are used for digital displays such as computer monitors and mobile devices. RGB colors can look very different when printed in CMYK, which is why it is important to convert digital images from RGB to CMYK before printing them.

Most professional design software, such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, have options to convert an image from RGB to CMYK mode to ensure that the colors are accurately represented in the final printed product.

An RGB (Red, Green, Blue) file is a digital image file that uses the RGB color model to represent colors on a digital display such as a computer monitor or mobile device.

RGB is an additive color model, meaning that colors are created by adding different amounts of red, green, and blue light together. This means that the more red, green, and blue light that is added together, the brighter and more vibrant the resulting color will be.

RGB files are commonly used for digital media such as websites, social media graphics, and digital advertising. Most digital devices, including computer monitors, televisions, and mobile devices, use the RGB color model to display images.

It is important to note that RGB colors are not the same as CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key) colors, which are used for printing. When an RGB file is printed, it needs to be converted to CMYK to ensure that the printed colors accurately match the digital colors.

It is advisable to save your file as a PDF format. However, you can also send it in JPG, JPEG, TIF, TIFF, EPS, or PNG formats.

To expedite the turnaround time, we strongly recommend sending PDF files with embedded or outlined fonts with no transparency. It is also essential to flatten your files before uploading. PDFs are easier to handle and manipulate than other formats.

When sending a print job, it's generally recommended to convert your content from RGB to CMYK color mode. This is because RGB and CMYK represent colors differently, and printing devices use CMYK inks to reproduce colors on paper.

RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is an additive color model primarily used for electronic displays. It has a wider color gamut and can produce vibrant and bright colors that are not achievable in CMYK. However, when you send an RGB file for printing without conversion, the printing device needs to convert it to CMYK. This conversion can result in color shifts, and some bright RGB colors may not be accurately reproduced in CMYK.

On the other hand, CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) is a subtractive color model designed for printing. Colors in CMYK are created by subtracting varying amounts of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks from white paper. Printing devices, such as printers and presses, typically use CMYK inks.

Converting your content to CMYK before sending it for print allows you to preview how the colors will look in the printed output. It helps you identify any potential color shifts or inconsistencies and make necessary adjustments. By working in the CMYK color space, you can ensure that the printed result closely matches your expectations.

In summary, converting your print job to CMYK ensures that the colors are optimized for printing and minimizes the chances of unexpected color shifts. It allows you to have better control over the final printed output and achieve more accurate color reproduction.

Files with low resolution may either be printed as they are or put on hold until we receive new files. In either case, it could delay your turnaround time. We only accept 300 dpi files and no less. For large format jobs that are beyond the size of design software, it is recommended to work on the file full size at 150 DPI minimum.   If you are having problems saving the file it can also mean that you computer may not have enough scratch disk or hard drive space to handle large file and may need more RAM and Disk space to complete the task. Any questions feel free to call us so we can help you step by step.

To ensure a polished and high-quality final product, bleed should extend beyond the cut-line at least .125” and will be trimmed during the final cutting phase. Bleed is necessary when the image needs to extend all the way to the edge.

It's important to keep all text and important objects at least 0.25" inside the cut-line.

For Brochures, Booklets, Calendars, Letter Heads, Business Cards, the recommended bleed is 0.125" all around. For Postcards, Club Flyers, Digital orders, Rack Cards, Sell Sheets, Bookmarks, Door Hangers, Stickers and table tents, we run the jobs at the desire size and then trim an extra 1/16” all around, we do this to save you money and to keep the cost down.

If you need a true size, we recommend getting a custom quote. If you're using Large format Products, you don’t need to send bleeds, we add bleed for large format automatically.

Files submitted are printed HEAD to HEAD (aka as Top to Top) as-is based off your files.

To ensure the desired orientation of your final product, please ensure that your files are set up with the correct head-to-head printing arrangement. Additionally, both front and back files should be aligned either vertically or horizontally on both sides.

Please note that for files that are not properly set up, we will use our best judgment, and we cannot be held responsible for any improper rotation.

Ensure that you arrange your files in a manner that, when printed with both sides facing each other, the end result will display the desired content. Additionally, ensure that the front and back files are configured consistently, either with both sides arranged vertically or both sides arranged horizontally.

If you desire the back file to be upside down, kindly submit your artwork following the format depicted below.

If you have a fold-over or greeting card, kindly submit your artwork in the manner depicted.

Please refrain from including additional files such as proofs or samples when submitting artwork for printing, as there is a risk of them being mistakenly printed. Only send the specific files that you intend to have printed.

Please note that we cannot be held responsible for any unintended printing of such files. Unless explicitly requested by one of our employees, please do not send any files that you do not wish to be printed.

Our system is specifically designed to efficiently handle 2 Page PDF files by automatically splitting the pages as required. Simply upload your 2 page PDF to the front side dropdown box and the system will split the PDF into (Front and back). Any other format such as jpg, tif will need to be uploaded individually.

To set up a Spot UV job, it is important to include both a regular print file and a Spot UV mask file. The Spot UV mask file serves the purpose of indicating the areas where the UV coating should be applied.

For optimal quality, we recommend creating mask files using vector-based programs like Illustrator or CorelDRAW.

When indicating the areas for UV coating, please use solid 100% black (K) color. Avoid using shadows, glows, or grayscale images. Any white areas on the template will signify no UV coating.

To avoid the issue of blues appearing as purple in your design, it is crucial to maintain a minimum difference of 20% between the Cyan and Magenta values used. 

100% C 80% M 0% Y 0% K

In the CMYK spectrum, blue and purple are closely related. To prevent the color from shifting towards purple, it is important to use a minimal amount of magenta when employing high levels of cyan.

When preparing a PDF file for print, it is important to follow these guidelines for proper exporting:

1. Use the high-quality print preset: Select the appropriate print preset such as "High Quality Print" or "Press Quality" in your PDF export settings. This ensures that the file contains all the necessary information and settings for optimal print reproduction.
2. Include bleed and crop marks: If your design extends to the edge of the page, include a bleed area (usually 3mm or 0.125 inches) to allow for trimming. Enable the option to include crop marks to indicate where the file should be cut.
3. Embed fonts: To ensure accurate font reproduction, embed all fonts used in your document. This ensures that the printer has access to the necessary font data.
4. Maintain high-resolution images: Ensure that all images included in the PDF are of high resolution (at least 300 dpi) to avoid pixelation or loss of detail in the print output.
5. Verify color settings: Double-check that the color profile used in your PDF is appropriate for print. Typically, CMYK is the recommended color mode for print materials.
6. Check for transparency flattening: If your design contains transparent elements, ensure that the transparency is properly flattened to prevent unexpected results during printing. Consult your design software's documentation for guidance on flattening transparency.
7. Proofread and review: Before exporting the PDF, thoroughly review the document to ensure that all elements, text, images, and layout appear as intended.

By following these steps, you can export a PDF file that is optimized for printing and minimizes the risk of errors or issues during the printing process.

1. Convert the image to grayscale: Use an image editing software such as Photoshop to convert the image to grayscale. This will remove any color information and leave only shades of gray.
2. Change the document color mode to CMYK: If the document is not already in CMYK color mode, convert it to CMYK to ensure color consistency throughout the document.
3. Copy and paste the grayscale image into the CMYK document: After converting the image to grayscale, copy it and paste it into the CMYK document at the desired location.
4. Ensure the image is in grayscale mode within the CMYK document: Double-check that the pasted grayscale image is still in grayscale mode within the CMYK document. This ensures that it does not inherit any color information from the CMYK color space.
5. Save the document: Save the CMYK document with the grayscale image included, ensuring that it is in a format compatible with your intended use (such as PDF, TIFF, or JPEG).

By following these steps, you can incorporate a grayscale image into a CMYK document while maintaining the desired grayscale appearance without any unwanted color shifts.

Rich black refers to a deeper and darker black color that is achieved by adding additional ink colors to the standard black (K) in the CMYK color model. It results in a more visually appealing and solid black appearance, especially when used in large areas or text.

To create rich black, follow these guidelines:

1. Use a mixture of ink colors: Instead of using only 100% black (K), incorporate small amounts of other ink colors, such as Cyan (C), Magenta (M), and Yellow (Y). This combination enhances the richness and depth of the black color.
2. Recommended rich black values: A common formula for rich black is 50% Cyan (C), 40% Magenta (M), 40% Yellow (Y), and 100% Black (K). However, these values can vary depending on the desired result and printing specifications. Consult your print provider or design guidelines for the recommended rich black values.
3. Apply rich black to large areas or text: Utilize rich black for large black areas or text elements in your design to achieve a solid and visually appealing black appearance.

4. Be mindful of small text and fine details: Avoid using rich black for small text or fine details, as the additional ink coverage can lead to readability issues. Stick to 100% black (K) for such elements.

Occasionally, business card edges may experience cracking when there are high ink values, particularly in dark colors. This issue typically affects only a small number of cards within a print run. To mitigate this problem, it is advisable to utilize lighter colors whenever possible. However, if dark colors are necessary, minimize the amount of ink used to reduce the likelihood of cracking.

Banding can be attributed to various factors, including the program used for exporting (e.g., Indesign or Corel), as well as excessive gradient steps in a confined area, such as transitioning from a very light color to a dark color.

To avoid banding, it is important to review your digital files before submission. When employing gradients, ensure that there is sufficient space for a smooth transition to occur, allowing for a more seamless appearance without noticeable bands.

When a job undergoes UV coating, scoring, and folding, it is common for cracks to develop. Over time, these cracks may expand, potentially causing the ink to chip off.

It is important to note that cracking is a normal occurrence when coated jobs are scored and folded, even if UV coating is not applied. While choosing to omit UV coating may offer some improvement, it may not entirely prevent cracking. As the job is subjected to repeated use and folding, the likelihood of cracking increases.

Understanding that cracking is an inherent characteristic of the process will help set appropriate expectations for the finished product.

Pantone colors can have three distinct impacts on your printed job:

The first impact occurs when object effects, like shadows or glows, are applied on top of Pantone colors. In such cases, transparency issues may arise during the printing process. To mitigate this, it is recommended to convert all Pantone colors to CMYK before submitting your order.

The second impact arises when transparent images are used in conjunction with Pantone colors. Care should be taken to ensure compatibility and avoid any unforeseen complications.

The final impact pertains to the color conversion between Pantone colors and CMYK. When using Pantone colors in a job intended for CMYK printing, undesired color outcomes can arise. Consequently, if your job includes Pantone colors, the conversion to CMYK will alter the original Pantone color. Prior to submitting your order, ensure that all Pantone colors have been appropriately converted to CMYK.

By proactively addressing these considerations and preparing your files accordingly, you can help ensure the desired color results in your printed materials.

To cater to the preferences of our valued customers, we provide two options for round corners: a 1/4" radius and a 1/8" radius. The accompanying image below offers a visual comparison of these two radius sizes for your convenience.

Bundling provides a convenient solution for organizing print orders into pre-determined quantities, offering ease of use for you, your customers, or for EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail) purposes. Orders will be bundled in either 50 or 100 piece quantities and will be appropriately banded according to the USPS EDDM banding requirements. This ensures efficient handling and distribution of your printed materials.

Please Note:

Please note that the processing time required for bundling your product is not included in the selected turnaround time when placing your order. Kindly allocate an additional 1 to 2 days to the selected turnaround time to account for this service.

It is important to mention that the type of band used for bundling may vary depending on facility availability.

Lastly, please be aware that the maximum quantity offered for bundling is 25,000 pieces.

We advise against designing specifically on the spine of the Perfect Bound Catalogs. It is preferable to use backgrounds or images that extend across the entire book. Design elements such as text, borders, or colors centered solely on the spine may result in an uneven appearance during the binding process.

Templates for the covers of the Perfect Bound Catalogs are provided, and they correspond to the number of inside pages. For the inside pages, you can utilize the standard 8.5x11 and 8.5x5.5 flat Flyer templates. These templates are suitable for all the inside pages and ensure accurate sizing and layout.

Designing booklets can be a slightly more intricate process. Additionally, if you have artwork that was created by another company, it may not adhere to our guidelines. To ensure optimal outcomes, we recommend using our provided templates.

Please adhere to the following guidelines when creating your booklets:

• Page numbering should begin with the cover as page 1, followed by the inside cover as page 2, and so forth.
• Maintain a total bleed of .25" and a total safety margin of .5". For instance, an 8.5x11 booklet with bleed should have a total size of 8.75x11.25, enabling us to correctly set up your crossovers.
• Please provide single pages only; do not submit reader's spreads or printer's spreads.
• While we prefer receiving a multipage PDF, single-page files are also acceptable.

Our booklet page numbering begins with the cover designated as page 1, followed by the inside cover as page 2, and so forth. This sequential order is also represented in our provided templates.

In booklets, crossovers are frequently used and require additional consideration. A crossover refers to an image, text, or any other graphic element that extends from one page to another.

Designers should exercise careful attention when creating crossover designs to ensure a seamless appearance in the final printed piece. Avoid using text or thin lines as crossovers, as larger images tend to yield better results.

Please note that due to the nature of saddle stitch binding, crossovers may not align perfectly in the final booklet.

If you are using software like InDesign or other layout tools that utilize spreads or facing pages, remember to save your artwork as single-page PDFs. This is particularly important when dealing with crossovers. To simplify the process, it is recommended to set up the bleed while creating your document.

When setting up your document, ensure that your page size matches the intended cut size, and set a margin size of .25" for safety, resulting in a total margin of .5".

Call us right away at 305.219.6990 to let us know of any issues.   If there is a print error we will need you to send us plenty of pictures and video showing us that there is significant damage to the order.   Keep in mind that sometimes there may be just a few bad cuts or color on some but not all.   This is to the fact that there are some test sheets ran during the print and cut process that may end up in your box my mistake but those are just extras to your order.

No, please make sure to remove any guides or crop marks. If a template is provided as a layer within the artwork, it will be printed.

With large format products, you don’t need to send bleeds. We add bleed for large format products automatically.

Clear Window Clings consist of a durable 8mil thick clear glossy material, accompanied by a removable paper backer. These clings are designed for versatile use, both indoors and outdoors. They are particularly well-suited for creating eye-catching POP signage on glass or other sleek and clean surfaces. However, it is important to note that extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, may affect the cling's ability to adhere to the surface effectively.

When utilizing Clear Window Clings, you have the flexibility to incorporate white ink as an overprint, allowing for a combination of opaque and transparent elements in your printed design. This feature enables the creation of vibrant and sharp colors.

Similar to Spot UV masks, it is important to prepare separate White Mask files alongside your artwork files. In the White Mask file, the color black is used to indicate where the white ink will be applied.

To ensure proper alignment during printing, it is crucial to create the mask file in the same dimensions as your color art file.

Please note that White Masks must be created in vector format and saved as EPS or PDF, utilizing 100% K (black).

Create black color areas using vector paths/shapes to designate the specific regions where the white ink base will be applied. The remaining area will represent the Clear Window cling.

Instructions for Illustrator:

Once the black color areas using vector paths/shapes is created, create a brand new Swatch and use the following info to fill it up these areas with this color.

• Swatch Name: WHITE_INK
• Color Type: Spot Color
• Color Mode: CMYK
• Color Values: C 0% M 0% Y 0% K 100%

Last step is to click on the black color areas you created, and go to Window>Attributes and select the option of Overprint Fill and Overprint Strokes. This will guaranteed that the white ink will print together with the CMYK.

To verify this process is working as intended, you can turn on the option under the View menu of Overprint Preview. You should see a CMYK image with a darker tone all over.

Overview: 

• White ink base will be printed behind any color present in your Artwork Layer.
• Areas that have color but lack a White Mask will be printed directly on the material, resulting in somewhat transparent color due to the Clear substrate.
• Areas with both color and a White Mask will be printed as opaque or solid color.
• Areas with a White Mask and no color will be printed as white.
• The black used in the White Mask file must have the following specifications: 0% C, 0% M, 0% Y, 100% K. Failure to meet these specifications may result in the file not being recognized by preflight.

The Clear Window Cling can be reused multiple times as long as it remains clean. To ensure its longevity, it is advisable to retain the backing and use it to protect the cling when not in use.

To begin, ensure that the window or application surface is thoroughly cleaned and dried. Prepare a spray bottle with a mixture of 1% soap and 99% water, and use it to completely cover the area where the application will be placed. Take caution when peeling off the backing, ensuring that the cling does not fold over itself. Position the side that had the backing against the surface and firmly press the cling onto the window. To remove excess water and eliminate air bubbles, employ a squeegee or credit card, starting from the center and moving outward. If needed, spray additional soapy water on the back of the graphic to lubricate the surface during the process.

1. Open the image file: Launch Photoshop and open the large dimension file you want to convert.
2. Go to "Image Size": Click on the "Image" menu at the top and select "Image Size." A dialog box will appear.
3. Uncheck "Resample": In the Image Size dialog box, make sure the "Resample" checkbox is unchecked. This ensures that you maintain the original pixel dimensions of the image and prevent any loss of resolution.
4. Adjust the output dimensions: In the Image Size dialog box, you can specify the desired output dimensions for your image. You can enter the desired width and height in inches, centimeters, pixels, or any other unit of measurement. Make sure the dimensions you enter are within the maximum limit of Photoshop (300,000 pixels).
5. Check the resolution: While maintaining the same pixel dimensions, ensure that the resolution remains unchanged or matches the required output resolution. If necessary, adjust the resolution value to the desired output resolution.
6. Select the interpolation method: Photoshop provides several interpolation methods for resizing images. The default method is usually "Automatic." However, if you want to control the interpolation, you can select a different method from the drop-down menu. Bicubic interpolation tends to be a good choice for most situations.
7. Preview and apply the changes: Before clicking "OK," take a moment to preview the image and confirm that the dimensions and resolution are as desired. If everything looks good, click "OK" to apply the changes.

By following these steps and unchecking the "Resample" option, you can adjust the dimensions and resolution of your image without losing any pixel data or reducing the overall image quality.

For Ridig materials, the max size is 4' x 8'.

For Flex materials, the max size is 126"(width).  The length would be the full length of the roller.

When utilizing Clear Window Vinyl, you have the flexibility to incorporate white ink as an overprint, allowing for a combination of opaque and transparent elements in your printed design. This feature enables the creation of vibrant and sharp colors.

Similar to Spot UV masks, it is important to prepare separate White Mask files alongside your artwork files. In the White Mask file, the color black is used to indicate where the white ink will be applied.

To ensure proper alignment during printing, it is crucial to create the mask file in the same dimensions as your color art file.

Please note that White Masks must be created in vector format and saved as EPS or PDF, utilizing 100% K (black).

Create black color areas using vector paths/shapes to designate the specific regions where the white ink base will be applied. The remaining area will represent the Clear Window Vinyl.

Instructions for Illustrator:

Once the black color areas using vector paths/shapes is created, create a brand new Swatch and use the following info to fill it up these areas with this color.

• Swatch Name: WHITE_INK
• Color Type: Spot Color
• Color Mode: CMYK
• Color Values: C 0% M 0% Y 0% K 100%

Last step is to click on the black color areas you created, and go to Window>Attributes and select the option of Overprint Fill and Overprint Strokes. This will guaranteed that the white ink will print together with the CMYK.

To verify this process is working as intended, you can turn on the option under the View menu of Overprint Preview. You should see a CMYK image with a darker tone all over.

Overview: 

• White ink base will be printed behind any color present in your Artwork Layer.
• Areas that have color but lack a White Mask will be printed directly on the material, resulting in somewhat transparent color due to the Clear substrate.
• Areas with both color and a White Mask will be printed as opaque or solid color.
• Areas with a White Mask and no color will be printed as white.
• The black used in the White Mask file must have the following specifications: 0% C, 0% M, 0% Y, 100% K. Failure to meet these specifications may result in the file not being recognized by preflight.

Typically, a roll-up banner is designed to withstand approximately 100 pulls before it may require a replacement of either the stand or the entire banner. Like eveyrthing that is purchased, if you take care of your banner it will last you a very long time.   The most common mistake is rolling down the banner and not paying attention to the sides will damage your sides or simply letting the banner go and roll quickly will damage the banner right away.

Styrene signs are not recommended for long-term outdoor use due to their vulnerability to weather elements.

Acrylic possesses several notable properties that contribute to its high performance. Key characteristics include optical clarity, low sensitivity to UV rays, and excellent resistance to various weather conditions. Acrylic provides a clear and brilliant appearance similar to glass, while being significantly lighter and more durable.

For the Color Spec Option: 5/0 (with Mask), it is NOT necessary to reverse the artwork before submitting.

• Make sure to include a 0.25" bleed on all sides of your artwork.
• Avoid adding crop marks to your artwork.

To achieve vibrant and sharp colors, white ink can be utilized as an overprint, providing areas of opacity and transparency in your printed graphic. To ensure proper alignment during printing, it is essential to create the mask file in the same size as your color art file.

Similar to Spot UV masks, it is important to prepare separate White Mask files alongside your artwork files. In the White Mask file, the color black is used to indicate where the white ink will be applied.

Please note that White Masks must be created in vector format and saved as EPS or PDF, utilizing 100% K (black).

Create black color areas using vector paths/shapes to designate the specific regions where the white ink base will be applied. The remaining area will represent the Acrylic Sign.

Instructions for Illustrator:

Once the black color areas using vector paths/shapes is created, create a brand new Swatch and use the following info to fill it up these areas with this color.

• Swatch Name: WHITE_INK
• Color Type: Spot Color
• Color Mode: CMYK
• Color Values: C 0% M 0% Y 0% K 100%

 Last step is to click on the black color areas you created, and go to Window>Attributes and select the option of Overprint Fill and Overprint Strokes. This will guaranteed that the white ink will print together with the CMYK.

To verify this process is working as intended, you can turn on the option under the View menu of Overprint Preview. You should see a CMYK image with a darker tone all over.

Overview: 

• White ink base will be printed behind any color present in your Artwork Layer.
• Areas that have color but lack a White Mask will be printed directly on the material, resulting in somewhat transparent color due to the Clear substrate.
• Areas with both color and a White Mask will be printed as opaque or solid color.
• Areas with a White Mask and no color will be printed as white.
• The black used in the White Mask file must have the following specifications: 0% C, 0% M, 0% Y, 100% K. Failure to meet these specifications may result in the file not being recognized by preflight.

Yes! We currently provide the following finishing options for your convenience:

• 3/8" Drill Hole with hole placement 1 inch from each corner
• Round or Straight Corners
• Contour Cuts
• 5/8" x 1" Stand Off hardware.
• PVC frame on the back for a Museum style type of hanger

Yes. Our Acrylic Signs are suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. However, we recommend conducting a test or trial before utilizing them outdoors to ensure optimal performance.

Yes. We provide Stand Off hardware measuring 5/8" x 1" as a mounting choice, along with a PVC Frame to achieve a flawless floating look. When placing your order, kindly ensure to choose the appropriate "drill hole options for Stand Offs" so that the hardware can be installed correctly.

We provide a range of sizes for Acrylic Signs, starting from 4" x 4" and going up to 48” x 96”.

To ensure longevity, UV-cured inks are employed to directly print onto the surface of the Acrylic, enabling the Acrylic Signs to withstand outdoor conditions for an extended period.

We currently print all of our acrylics on 1/4 inch thickness.

We utilize UV inks to print on acrylic, ensuring durability without any drying time. While our standard printing is single-sided, we do offer the option to print on both sides. For this service, please request a custom quote.

Yes. We provide custom sizes for our products, allowing dimensions of up to 4'x8'.  Simply click on the "Custom Sizes" option in the Size dropdown menu to specify your desired measurements.  Please note that larger sizes will have to be picked up locally as they are too large to ship out of state.

We will supply you with detailed instructions to assist you throughout this process. If you have chosen to utilize our templates, simply align the template with your wall, secure it in position using masking tape, and mark the designated spots for your standoffs. From there, proceed by drilling the necessary holes, inserting the anchors, and finally mounting your acrylic.

The number of holes will vary depending on the size. For larger sizes exceeding 48" in width or length, the product will come with six holes (one in each corner, plus two in the middle). On the other hand, smaller sizes will be equipped with four holes (one in each corner).

Each hole is positioned at a distance of 5/8" from the edge of the sign, precisely at its center. The diameter of each hole measures 3/8".

Please remember that drilled holes are not included by default. To ensure your acrylic signs are produced with drilled holes, please select the "Drilled holes" option under the "Mounting Options" during the ordering process.

With our Flat Rate shipping option we can ship your orders to a PO Box using the United States Post Office.    Please keep in mind that restrictions may apply.

We currently do not split shipments.  However if you use our website and send us a custom quote for your job we may be able to accomodate your request for an additional fee.

Yes! We offer the option to drop ship a package to your customer but this must be arranged with a Space Flyers representative prior to submitting your order.

Our shipping options include Common Carrier services with various methods such as Ground, Next Day Air, and more. We primarily collaborate with shipping providers such as UPS, FedEx, USPS, Freight Companies, Southwest Air Cargo, and Delta Air Cargo.

While we don't offer a specific pricing or weight list, you can obtain instant shipping pricing on our website when you place an order.

Regrettably, we currently do not provide the option to use your own shipping account.  All orders must be placed on our website and it will be on the discretion of our shipping department to ship using the quickest method to get you the order.    For the most part UPS and USPS will be used but other carriers may be used depending on your location.

As a service, we do offer shrink wrapping.  Please call us before placing an order to get you a customer quote.

To track your packages, simply use the original tracking number provided. You can find the tracking information by visiting our website and navigating to the Orders tab.

An email will always be sent to your with your tracking information.   Please note that our flat rate shipping may be shipping with a variety of different carriers.   

UPS Trackings will start with 1Z

FEDEX Trackings will be 7 digits

USPS Tracking will starte with 9205

Southwest Trackings will be 8 digits xxxx-xxxx

In the case an adress was provided to us and was  undeliverable by UPS,FedEx or any carries and returned, the customer will have to pay again to re-ship the order to a new address. Please note that during the entire process the carriers do handle the boxes extensively and may be damaged by the time we get it back.    If the box is accceptable we will repackage and reship the order on the customer at customers expense.   If the entire box is damaged the customer will have to pay for an entire new order.   We will try to make a claim with the carrier but until the claim is not completed which may take months, we will not be able to provide a refund for the claim amount.

We do not provide day-definite guarantees for shipping. As a printing product manufacturer, we do not have control over any delays caused by the third-party shipping companies we utilize.

The designation of the pockets is based on the flat images so when choosing pockets be mindful of this, please use this image as an example.

IMPORTANT: When selecting slits, please ensure that any design, text, or logos are kept outside of the slit areas. Additionally, the orientation rule mentioned above should be followed for determining the side of the pocket where the slits will be placed.

It is normal for coated jobs to experience cracking when they are scored and folded. While ordering the job without UV coating may help, it may not entirely prevent cracking. It is important to note that as the job is repeatedly used and folded, cracking is likely to occur over time. Specifically, for black ink or dark designs, the risk of cracking increases with higher ink density.

Yes. When choosing the 4/4 option, the uploader will require two separate files. In this case, the "Front" file should represent the cover and back cover of the final piece, while the "Back" file will be used for the inside of the folder.

No, please utilize our template for designing the artwork, but make sure to remove any guides for slits. If a template is provided as a layer within the artwork, it will be printed.

With Long Edge Binding, the final orientation of the book is in portrait mode, while Short Edge Binding results in a landscape orientation. However, please note that for our short run quantities ranging from 25 to 200, Long Edge binding is the only option available.

While we generally discourage the use of borders in designs, if you insist on including them, it's important to be aware of a potential issue. If the border is positioned close to the cutline, there is a chance that it might appear slightly off-center when trimmed. To mitigate this risk, we suggest making your borders at least 1/4" thick. This extra width will provide us with ample room for cutting, ensuring a more accurate alignment with the intended design.

Perfect Binding provides a polished and sophisticated appearance to your booklets. This binding method involves securely gluing the pages and cover together at the spine using a durable and flexible thermal glue.

To assist you in preparing your Perfect Bound Booklets, we offer templates for both the cover and inside pages, ensuring accurate alignment and dimensions.

Please take note that the page count specified in the product name for Perfect Bound Booklets does not include the cover. For example, if you select "8.5 x 11, 52-Pages," you will need to upload 48 inside pages along with a 4-page cover file (always set as 4:0). This distinction ensures that you provide the correct number of pages for the inside content and a separate file for the cover design.

A paper cover wraps around the pages and glued to the spine. The cover forms the front, spine and back. Popular for paperback and softcover books, this method results in a professional appearance. Suitable for most book types and sizes.

A strip of tape is applied to the spine of a stack of pages, overlapping the bound edge. The pages are often stitched together before the tape is applied. Limited color range.

Pages are pressed into an adhesive-coated cloth strip that wraps around the spine and covers. Similar to tape binding, the binding is flexible and durable. A variety of cloth colors are available.

Thin strips of plastic are permanently locked together through holes in the front and back of the pages. Velo bound pages do not lie flat and have an exposed, unprintable spine. A variety of colors are available.

This inexpensive method well uses a plastic "comb" that wraps through rectangular holes in the edge of the pages. The plastic comb also form a spine that covers the edge of the pages.

Metal screw-together posts are inserted into holes drill through the stack of paper. holding them together.

Also known as twin-loop binding or double-loop binding. A wire is threaded through small holes in the edge of the paper. The result is very simialr in look and function to coil binding. A variety of colors are available.

Similar to saddle stitching, except the loops extend out from the spine staples. The loops allow the bound pages to be placed into ring binders.

The most economical binding method, a staple is used in the corner to attached pages together.

This inexpensive method binds pages using two or more staples placed along a folded edge. Suitable for 60 pages or less, there is no printable spine with this option.  People refer Sattlestitching also as Stapling .  Most of the items on our website if its a booklet will be Sattle Stitch.

A round plastic or metal coil is wound through the pages to hold them together. Pages bound this way can be opened 360 degrees and can remain flat when open. Available in black (standard ) and other colors including PMS.