WHAT KIND OF ARTWORK DO YOU NEED?

DIGITAL FILES:

Adobe Illustrator files (vector art with paths) in an AI or EPS format with all fonts converted to outlines.
We will accept vector PDFs also.

THIS MIGHT WORK:

Adobe Photoshop file in .EPS or .TIF format at 300dpi resolution and at actual print size or larger than final imprint.
Please send us font files used in your design as a .TTF or list the fonts for us if you do not have them.
Microsoft Word / PowerPoint / Corel Draw / Freehand or any other professional design program file for PC or MAC.
Please make sure that you have included any placed images.

THIS ALMOST NEVER WORK:

JPEG / GIF / Bitmap images that you have dragged off of a website or someone else has given you in a low-resolution format.
We usually have to recreate these logos from scratch which may incur artwork charges.

PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS:

Take a small-size, low resolution/jagged image and change the name to have a ".eps" extension. This does not change the file type.

PLEASE NOTE:

Unsupported art file formats: QuarkXpress, Pagemaker, CorelDraw, Publisher and Freehand.
Microsoft Office programs (Work, Power Point, Excel, etc) are not graphics programs and will not be recognized through the art acceptance process.
If you are not sure if you have the correct artwork format just send it and we will let you know.

 What is the difference between vector and raster art?

THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF FILES:

1. BITMAPS ARE COMPOSED OF PIXELS
Raster images are more commonly called bitmap images. A bitmap image uses a grid of individual pixels where each pixel can be a different color or shade. 

The following file types are ALWAYS raster-based:
.jpg | .gif | .png | .tif | .bmp

2. VECTOR GRAPHICS ARE COMPOSED OF PATHS Vector graphics use mathematical relationships between points and the paths connecting them to describe an image. 

The following file types are OFTEN vector-based:
.ai | .cdr | .eps | .pdf | .ps | .wmf

The above file types can be raster, vector or a combination of both, depending on the contents embedded. Just because a file has an .eps extension, does not make it vector. Likewise, you CAN NOT take a .jpg and change the extension to .eps to convert it from raster to vector.

With Adobe® Systems' introduction of the PostScript®, computers could display fonts and images using point-to-point math rather than by pixels alone. The advantage to using a page-description language such as PostScript becomes clear when you scale an image up. The larger you display a bitmap, the more jagged it appears, while a vector image remains smooth at any size. That is why PostScript and TrueType® fonts always appear smooth - they are vector-based.

Bitmap images require higher resolutions and anti-aliasing for a smooth appearance. Vector-based graphics on the other hand are mathematically described and appear smooth at any size or resolution.

BITMAPS ARE BEST USED FOR PHOTOGRAPHS AND IMAGES WITH SUBTLE

Graphics best suited for the vector format are page layout, type, line art or illustrations.

Wherever possible use the vector format for all your type, line art and illustrations and only use bitmaps for photos or images with complex or non-uniform shading. If the graphics application recognizes native vector files such as those created by Adobe Illustrator® (a filename with an extension of .AI), CorelDRAW® (a filename with an extension of .CDR), then use them first.

The EPS File Format

IF THE GRAPHICS APPLICATION YOU ARE USING CANNOT READ NATIVE VECTOR FILES THE NEXT BEST THING WOULD BE TO SAVE THEM AS EPS (ENCAPSULATED POSTSCRIPT) FILES. These are self-contained PostScript files which contain the same mathematical descriptions as the vector files they are made from. Even bitmaps can be saved in the EPS file format. EPS files are supported by most all graphics applications. It is the most portable format for this reason. It is best to use EPS files for all line art and illustrations because they can be reproduced at any size or resolution and still display exactly as they were drawn. Use them wherever native vector files cannot be used.

 What if I cannot get the artwork in the correct format?

Send over whatever you have and we will evaluate and let you know what needs to be done. We will do whatever we can to make sure that your order is not held up because of artwork problems. Often times we can recreate your logo quickly with little or no charge. However, if your artwork is complex or we have difficulty reproducing it, we may have to charge you a small art charge based on the time spent fixing it. Typically we charge $50.00 per hour.

ARTWORK GLOSSARY

Vector Graphics Files - Digital graphics format with which images are not saved in the form of individual pixels but rather in the form of line elements, defined by the starting and end point and the line width. Advantages compared to bitmap graphics include scalability without any loss of image quality and significantly reduced file sizes.

Graphics file formats which are (or may be) Vector based.

• AI - Adobe Illustrator

• PDF - Adobe

• EPS - Encapsulated Postscript File

• CDR - Corel Draw

Bitmap / Raster Graphics Files - Image content made up of pixels where the pixels contain the information for position, size, angular position and color and can be addressed individually. These formats are not recommended for promotional products production. In some cases high resolution (Absolute minimum of 300dpi or higher) images may be suitable for printing on some items.

Graphics file formats which are (or may be) bitmaps. It's always best to supply a vector format graphic file if available. If you are sending a bitmap file please make sure it is in one of these formats and is of a resolution of at least 300dpi. (600dpi is highly recommended)

• PDS - Adobe Photoshop

• EPS - Encapsulated Postscript File

• TIFF - Tagged Information File Format

• BMP - Windows Bitmap

*note that graphic images designed for the web are not suitable for use as artwork in Promotional Products Production. Web page graphics are typically created at 72 dpi. Check with your designer to see if high resolution versions are available.

Page Layout Documents - The font files and document preferences that need to be supplied for use when sending artwork with uncommon fonts which have not been converted to curves or other documents which must be converted by production ready artwork.

Halftone - An image produced by breaking the subject into small dots of varying intensities of gray ranging from white to black.

Bleeds - Printers cannot print right to the edge of a paper sheet. In order to have colors printed to the edge of a page the printer must use a sheet which is larger than the document size. Then the printer prints beyond the edge of the document size (typically an 1/8?) and then cuts the paper down to the correct size.

 WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE A ARTWORK?

We have a talented in-house art department that is available to create a design/logo for you. For simple jobs we may not even charge you for this service. However, our standard art fee is $50/hr.

WHAT IS PMS COLOR MATCHING AND WHY DOES MY ARTWORK SPEC HAVE PMS NUMBERS NEXT TO THE COLOR BOXES?

PMS stands for Pantone Matching System®. It is the standard color matching system that allows printers to choose a color without leaving it up to an individuals' subjectivity. Each color in the Pantone color chart corresponds to a particular number so that if you say your logo is royal blue, we can pick an accurate blue to recreate

Pantone Colour Chart

The pantone colour matching system is created to enable designers to select their preferred colour(s) and describe these as a number (the PMS number) to their appointed printers, who will have appropriate inks to reproduce the required colour as accurately as possible. There are also a few products where, due to the limitations of the imprinting process, exact PMS matching isn’t possible. If you don’t require an exact match, but would like us to be ‘as close as possible’ – we’re happy to help. Just let us know which colors we should be working towards.

With promotional gifts GiftSolutions use the same colour chart, however it is important to stress that due to the wide range of materials gifts are manufactured in (metal, plastic, fabric, pvc, earthernware etc.) we cannot guarantee a pantone match although we always endeavour to get as close as possible.

If you are unsure of the colour(s) your logo / message needs to be printed in, please use the chart below - and then simply email your account executive with your selected pantone number(s).

PLEASE NOTE: Because computer monitors display colors in RGB format, the color that you see on your screen may not be accurately calibrated to the actual PMS color chart.

WHAT ARE THE IMPRINT (DECORATION) OPTIONS?

Imprint options are the various methods in which your product can be branded with your logo.
Below are a few of the most popular...

DECORATION METHOD:	EXAMPLE:	DESCRIPTION:
Screenprint		Screen-printing involves pressing ink through a fine mesh screen and onto the flat surface of a product. Usage: Non Woven material, T shirts, Hand Fan
Deboss		Also referred to as blind deboss, this classic method leaves an impression--or rather, a depression-- of the logo onto a material's surface. Usage: Paper and Leather products
Emboss		Embossing is a technique which creates a pattern on the material that is raised or in relief Usage: Paper and Leather products
Epoxy Dome		An Epoxy Dome is made of a clear soft flexible see through material which is "domed" over the top of the pressure sensitive decal material. Usage: Metal Badges, Paper stickers
Embroidery		Stitching a design into fabric through the use of high-speed computer-controlled sewing machines Usage: Apparels. Towels, Caps and Bags.
Foil Stamp		Foil stamping uses controlled heat, pressure, and precision timing to apply colored or metallic foil resins to decorate flat surfaces of varied shapes and materials. Usage: Paper, plastic and Leather products
Laser Engraving		This technique uses lasers to engrave or mark an object. It can be technical and complex, and often a computer system is used to drive the movements of the laser head. Usage: Wood, Metal and Leather products
Heat Transfer		Heat transfers are applied by heat transfer printing. This dry decorating method uses controlled heat, dwell and pressure to thermally bond the graphic onto the surface, achieving high quality and durability. Usage: Ceramic, Stainless steel and Plastic products
Pad Print		Pad printing utilizes a flexible silicone rubber transfer pad that picks up a film of ink from a photo-etched printing plate and transfers it to a uneven surface. Usage: Golf Balls, Pens, Small Printing area.
Color Fill		Color fill combines color stamping and debossing. A die is created to firstcolor stamp the logo onto the surface, and then that same die is used to deboss the logo into the material. Usage: Soft PVC for luggage tags or fridge magnet
4 Color Process		A process where 4 different color values — cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK) — come together to create a color image. These 4 colors can be combined to create thousands of colors.