Artwork
Good Artwork is the Key
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Artwork Guidlines - Click Here Need Clipart or Ideas? - Click Here |
Customer satisfaction is our ultimate goal. Achieving that goal is often directly related to the quality of the design. To help us ensure your products look their very best, we have these simple guidelines for you to follow.
Design Services
If you need assistance with design, development of an idea, file conversion, etc; our friendly and experienced design team is available to meet your needs. Design services carry a separate fee of $70 per hour, with a half-hour minimum. Time spent over the half-hour minimum is charged in 15 minute increments.
Proofs are available via email and require an additional 24-72 hours to create.
Accepted File Formats
Preferred Applications:
- Vector: Illustrator (.ai), InDesign (.indd), FlexiSign (.fs), .eps, & .pdf*
- Convert all fonts to curves, embed linked images, and flatten transparencies.
- Raster: Photoshop (.psd), .jpg, .tif, .bmp, .png, & .pdf*
- Flattened files are acceptable ONLY if print ready and not to be altered in any way.
*The preferred format is .pdf
Other Acceptable Formats (may incur Design Service fees):
.gif, .pub, .doc, .ppt, etc.
If your file does not have the proper resolution to be enlarged for printing it may be used as an example for our design team to work from. For more information on proper resolution, click here.
Files Exceeding 10mb: It is recommended that you compress these files before transmitting them to us.
- Use stuffit, winzip or a similar compression utility to compress your file and create a .zip, .hpx, or .bin
- To submit larger-sized files 10mb – 350mb, please upload them through our FTP click here.
File Preparation
Bleed: For full bleed backgrounds, add 1/8" for sizes up to 3”, 1/2" for sizes up to 2'x2', 1" for sizes up to 4'x4' and 2" for sizes 4'x4' and larger. Include bleed and cropmarks in file.
Fonts: All fonts used in files should be converted to curves/outlines. For layered Photoshop files, we may request that you provide us with the True Type font file(s) as well.
Color Format: Please provide all vector files in CMYK color mode, and all raster files in RGB color mode. Any Pantone (Solid Coated) colors that need to be matched must be called out in the design file as spot colors. We do not color match CMYK or RGB color values. To avoid possible mistakes, we DO NOT select Pantone colors for you.
Appearance of Black: For best results use a rich black blend (70%C, 40%M, 20%Y, 100%K) instead of just black (100%K).
Resolution: For best results, raster files must be at 72-150 pixels per inch at full-size. This will result in a significantly cleaner, and more brilliant, print on your finished product.
Scaling: When dealing with raster or vector based files that are NOT sent at actual size, please indicate the scale in which they were created or the desired finished size.
Vector Files: When using vector based programs such as Adobe Illustrator, files should be built as close to 1:1 ratio as possible, not going under 1/8" scale.
Raster Files: Text created within raster-based programs lacks clarity and sharpness, so we recommend building a composite file by placing your raster images in a vector-based program containing your type and graphics.
These are recommendations for file setup:
- 1:1 scale at 72-100 ppi
- 1/2" scale 150-200 ppi
- 1/4" scale 300-600 ppi
Photo Guidlines
A general rule for sending photos is to send the photo in its original form as the digital camera created it. If it is necessary to supply us with a hardcopy of your picture, be sure it is of high quality and on good photo paper. In addition, the photo should be as close to the output size as possible.
File Submission
Via Email: For files under 10mb click here, attach your file and provide us with instructions and contact info.
Via Concept One FTP: For files over 10mb, and under 350mb, click here and follow the simple instructions.
Via Client FTP: Please contact us with host, username, and password.
Mail Drop Off: Provide us with a CD, DVD, Flash Drive or memory stick at the address below. Please provide your contact information if mailing your media. Click Here for Directions
Concept One
c/o Art Dept.
216 North Locust Avenue
Gallatin, TN 37066
Helpful Hints
Use Your White Space: One of the most common pitfalls to legibility is the crowding of logos or words. Remember to always leave sufficient space around, and between, elements to maximize readability.
Check for Proper Resolution: When using raster images make sure the resolution is between 72-300 dpi at full-size. This will yield higher quality results. Images less than 100 dpi can be blurry or pixilated in appearance.
Beware of Low Resolution Images: Logos pulled from a website, business card layouts in jpg format, or images printed from a desktop printer are examples of low resolution images and may be used as examples only. The inability to enlarge the images disqualifies them from being print-ready.
Gradients: Gradients tend to band when created in a vector-based program. If possible, create any gradients in a raster-based program, such as Adobe Photoshop, and then place them into your vector file.
Outline Fonts: When sending a design file it is important that you “Outline” the text (also called “Convert to Curves”) before you send it. If the text isn’t outlined, font substitution may occur when we open the file.
Embed Links: When you place an image into a program like Adobe Illustrator that image is linked to the location where it is stored on your computer, not stored within the file itself. When you submit design files to be printed, you must “Embed” the linked images (process varies from program to program).
