File Setup Guidelines

For best results, please follow these guidelines when setting up your graphics file.

Photo prints

For best results enlargements should only be made from digital camera photos. We find that if you take camera film in to the department store and ask them to give you files on a disk, the resulting files tend to be too grainy to enlarge. Please do not send files that have been resized to a small size. Just download the file off your camera to your computer, maybe rename it if you want, do a red-eye correction if you're savvy with that, and upload it during our checkout procedure; we will resize the file for enlargement at no additional charge. The resulting file will be all the way out to the closest available dimension; in other words, the stated print size is the printable area of a larger sheet.

Graphics Files

In brief, we prefer high-resolution or vector-based .pdf files with fonts converted to outlines. When printing design graphics, CMYK files are recommended for best results.

If you are printing a color document with black text, the text color should be a rich black.

We recommend creating graphics in Adobe Illustrator, or a similar vector-based layout program. If you are using CS3, please downsave to CS1 compatibility. Regardless of layout program, convert your completed file to a .pdf and upload it to our site. We do also accept .tiff files. Please only send a .jpg if you are getting a photo print, and only send a proprietary .doc file if you are getting a document printed.

Remember that items printed at 8.5x11 or 8.5x5.5 sizes will print with a 1/4" border. For trifold brochures with bleeds, set up your file as a finished size of 7.75" x 9.75" plus 1/8" bleeds all the way around. For flyers, learn to love the border. For folded greeting cards with envelopes, please note that the printable area on the face side is 3.75" x 5".

All other items (except photo prints) print with bleeds. When creating a graphics file for an item with bleeds, be sure to extend the color beyond the edge of the item by 1/8" on all sides. In other words the outer dimensions of a print-ready file will be fully 1/4" larger, in both directions, than the finished size.

If you are working in Photoshop, or if your composite incorporates a bitmapped image such as a photograph, set the image resolution to 300dpi.

Set your working space, and all your placed file's color profiles, to CMYK. Split all Pantone colors into their composite CMYK elements.

Convert all fonts to outlines.

No trapping is required for the digital printing process.

Or for easy file setup by graphics professionals, please contact Basementia Design.