Setting Up Files for Print
Below is
a simple guide for setting up successful print files. We HIGHLY recommend
following these steps before uploading photos to ensure your photos look their
best!
01
RESOLUTION
For fine art and photography giclee printing, we need a minimum of 120 dpi (resolution) at the size you intend to order. If your resolution is naturally higher than that, perfect! Unfortunately, we can't guarantee the print quality of any files with a native resolution lower than 120 dpi.
Please do not open your file in Photoshop and increase the resolution. Although Photoshop allows you to do this, it causes undesirable results and a poor quality print.
02
SIZE
Unsure
what size your file can be printed at? Once you upload your file and click on
it to move to the next step, our handy cropping tool will give you a list of
sizes your file is capable of printing in, as well as custom (non-standard)
sizes you may be interested in. If you see the size you want grayed out, this
means your file is too small to go that size.
03
BORDERS
All images printed on matte, photo, or fine art paper substrates will be printed with a white border in addition to your image size unless otherwise specified. For images under 11"x14", we will print with 1/2" white border. For anything larger than 11"x14", we will print with 1" white border. If you prefer something different, such as no border (Full Bleed), please either select from our other border sizing options in the styles tab, or make a note in the message section before adding the item to your cart and we'll be happy to accommodate you. Note, when selecting full bleed, be aware that your image will be trimmed up to 1/8" on all sides to avoid white showing on the edges of your print. When designing your artwork, we highly recommend that you plan 1/2" of background space all around your image before starting live objects to ensure that important elements won't be cut off in printing or framing.
04
FILE TYPE
We accept
both .TIF and JPEG for acceptable printing
formats. Although we accept .TIF files, we highly
recommend saving the file as a high resolution JPEG to
limit the possibility that your file size ends up above the 100 MB max that our
upload tool allows.
If you
are editing your file prior to upload, we recommend you save that file in .TIF format
to prevent quality loss.
Once you have finalized your changes, we then
recommend that you save a final flattened JPEG copy
of your file to upload with a quality setting of 10 (High) in
Photoshop or if using Adobe Lightroom a minimum quality setting of 92.
05
COLOR SPACE
All
printers print in a CMYK color space. You do not need to convert your file from
RGB prior to upload, and we prefer that you don't in the final file you upload
to us. However, some colors in the visual and RGB color spectrum fall outside
of the gamut of what printers are capable of printing. These colors are often
very pure blues, reds, and other bright colors.
If you
have color concerns, we highly recommend that you convert to CMYK on your end
to get an idea of whether or not any colors in your image will dull or change
in print. Below is a helpful color graphic that illustrates the colors
available in the visible color spectrum vs. RGB and CMYK.
06
LAYERS & TEXT
If you
have added text or layers in your file, please flatten the image before
uploading. This will help ensure that what you see on your computer will match
what we see on ours.
07
BLEED & CROP MARKS
Please do
not include bleed or crop marks in your file. We will take care of that from
our end.
PLEASE NOTE
Although
we do our best to review files upon receipt, uploaded files are printed as they
are uploaded, so please be sure to double check your files for errors and
imperfections prior to upload. If you have color or quality concerns, we highly
recommend ordering a proof prior to placing your final order. Full size proofs
are available at the same cost as a regular print at that size.
If you'd
like a less expensive proof option, we also offer 8x10 proofs. These proofs can
either be an 8x10 cropped from your full size image, or an 8x10 scaled down
print of your full image. Pricing for 8x10 proofs is the same as an 8x10 print
on the material of your choice. If you are ordering a canvas, canvas proofs
will be shipped rolled up and not stretched on bars.
When you receive
your proof, you will need to contact us with written approval to move forward
on the larger print. We cannot guarantee color accuracy if a proof is not
ordered. Our Money Back Guarantee is void if you do not order a proof. We thank
you for your understanding.
ASSISTANCE WITH FILE SETUP
Need help
setting up your files? Let us know.
Graphic
Design services are available at $75 per hour, charged per 1/4 hour.
Graphic
design services include color correction and any file touch up work such as
removal of imperfections, dust, hair, overall image cleanup.