Artwork Guidelines for Screenprinting

Requirements for Customer Submitted Disks/Digital Files

In order to better serve our customers we have been converting artwork from disk. We currently have a Macintosh OSX 10.3.7 system with the following software programs: Adobe Illustrator CS, Adobe Photoshop CS and Quark Xpress 6.1.

We accept 3.5″ DD or HD floppy disk, CD ROM disk and Zip disks.

We also accept artwork via e-mail. Our e-mail address is: lakins@nationalvinyl.com Note! If sending artwork in a Quark Xpress document that is using a particular x-tension, please contact us to be sure that we have the extension that is being used.

Before sending art please read the following requirements. Following these will prevent delays or additional charges for corrections.

Linked Artwork: Designs created in drawing programs like Illustrator should be saved in EPS format with preview and included with the layout.

Scanned Images: Save scanned color images and artwork CMYK or TIFF format and include all images (color, artwork and line art) with the layout. Save black and white line art in bitmap TIFF format. Do not save as a JPEG. Scale and rotate images as needed before placing them in the layout. Allow at least 1/8″bleed for trim when the design requires. We are not responsible for color reproduction from customer supplied scans.

Scan Resolution: Resolution of scanned images is critical for good reproduction. Images and line art must be scanned at 100% of actual size (add for bleed if necessary). Art for silk screening must be scanned as bitmap tiff and color separated. We do not silk screen four color process. Please call us for four color process imprinting.

Fonts: When using Illustrator, please outline all text. Otherwise, we use and recommend Type 1 Postscript fonts from the Adobe Type Library. Include both screen font (font suitcase or bitmap) and all PostScript printer fonts for all faces used in your document and all linked artwork. Note! Do not apply keyboard commands for bold, italic, outline or shadow. Use actual bold or italic fonts when needed. Create outlines or shadows in Illustrator.

Stored Files: when files are imported into your document such as images or scanned artwork we need the original file you imported. These files should be linked to, not stored in, your document. Even if you store them, we need the original file to be able to process your file.

Trapping: Please include traps in your layout if needed.

In addition to your disk or e-mail please provide a hard copy of the artwork. If the print is not to size, indicate the size to be printed. If the print is to be color separated, indicate color separations.

Thank you for taking the time to review these guidelines with your customers as it is in everyone’s best interest to get things right the first time.