Getting Your Artwork Ready for Print Production
McCormack Printing Impressions’ design consultants understand that technology can make file preparation challenging at times. Below are the requirements for your art files in order to produce print and signage. Our experts are more than happy to assist you in creating files for the best results.
Removable Media Supported
- USB-A 1.0a to 3.0 Thumb Drives
- Firewire, eSATA, or Thunderbolt Drives
- CD-ROM (Standard, R/RW)
- DVD (Standard, R/RW +/-)
- Blu-Ray (BD-R 25GB Single Layer)
- Transfer Big Files Dropper
Software Packages Supported
- Adobe Illustrator 2021 – .ai, .eps, .pdf
- Adobe Photoshop 2021 – .psd
- Adobe InDesign 2021 – .indd
- Adobe Reader 2022 – .pdf
- Quark Express 18 – .qxd
- CorelDraw Version 22 – .cdr
Office Software & Formats
- Raster images: .tif, .jpg, .png
- Microsoft Word 2021: .doc, .docx, .mht
- Microsoft Excel 2021: .xls, .xlsx, .mht
- Microsoft Powerpoint 2021: .pot, .potx
- Microsoft Publisher 2021 – .pub
- Gerber Omega 2.0 – .plt
Preparation Notes
Be sure to either include the fonts or convert fonts to outlines. If your document contains fonts needed in the design (even the most common fonts), be sure they are included. Many versions of fonts exist, sometimes even with identical names. By including your own, or converting text to outlines, you can ensure accuracy on your sign. Also, include any linked images in the document. Please design your artwork to the final size when possible, or include scaling information.
- It is best to embed all images and outline all text to ensure that nothing will drop out or change during file transfer.
- Our preferred raster file type to receive is an 8-bit flattened TIF file at 300 dpi for print and 150 dpi in RGB for signage, built to the dimensions of the product’s respective template.
- Include .125″ bleeds to your layout if the design cuts at the edge of the paper. For posters or signage, there can be an empty border.
- Design your artwork to the “Overall Graphic Layout Size” of the template while keeping the important text and logos in safe viewable areas. We generate proofs from the artwork submitted and don’t necessarily know “That wasn’t supposed to wrap around to the back!”
- The maximum file size per graphic file is 350 MB for poster printing. If your graphic file is too large, please talk to a representative for instructions on compressing your graphic file into an acceptable size.
- If possible, include a color copy of the design for our soft proofing. A color proof of the final output is available upon request for an additional charge.
- Scanning of photographic prints and other hard copy sources is available for a small fee.
Notes on Raster Images
Any raster images inside designs should be 300dpi at full size, for posters or signage, 150dpi. Keep in mind that the printed result will only be as good as the original. Please understand that if you copy your logo or image from your website, it will not have enough digital content to reproduce it any larger than the size that it is on your screen, without noticeable image quality loss. Providing the largest possible bitmap logo or a EPS outline is ideal.
Color Matching
If you require a Pantone color match, the elements in your file must be created with that Pantone color. Please provide the Pantone color number(s) upon uploading your artwork, or we cannot assure proper color-matching. We limit color matching to two (2) color call-outs. If you require color matching for this type of product, the file(s) must be submitted as either a .eps or .ai (Adobe Illustrator) file type with selectable color areas.
Should you request a Pantone match with your artwork not being built with them, we will respectfully either ask that you waive matching or request that you resubmit artwork that’s been corrected with them now in the file(s).
Contact your McCormack Printing Impressions representative to gain any additional information about how file preparation can help assure the best quality sign design.