Submitting the appropriate type of artwork will make sure your job goes smoothly without delay. If you have any art related issues or need help, you should let your printer know at the outset.
Different projects will have different requirements, but here are the basic guidelines to follow:
Other things to consider:
SIZING: When submitting your artwork for graphics or traditional ink on paper pieces, it’s important to make sure everything is sized the way you want it printed. If you need a 16″ x 16″ graphic, the art should be 16″x16″.
BLEEDS: Does your artwork run off the edge of the substrate? Your art will need to have the appropriate amount of bleed added in. Typically this is 1/8″ but it’s always a good thing to ask your printer if they require more. An example of this would be if you’re ordering a wall graphic that prints to the very edge, you would need to add 1/8″ bleed. .
EMBEDDED IMAGES: Your artwork might be in vector format, but you will run into issues if any of the embedded images are themselves low-resolution. Keep this in mind when you are putting together a project that involves pulling art from multiple sources into a single project. An example of this might be a brochure in which you need to pull in a logo.
COLOR SETUP: It is useful to know how your piece will be printed prior to designing the artwork. Will it be printed via 4 color process/digital? If yes, it should be set up in CMYK values.
FONTS: In AI files, make sure fonts are converted to outlines but save a copy of the art with the fonts unconverted.
These are just some of the highlights, so if you have further questions that are particular to a project feel free to reach out.
-LH
