What should I do if I have dashed score lines in my design file that I don't want printed? Dashed score lines can stay in a file as guides if you note they should not print, ideally on a labeled guide layer, then confirm on the pro… Read answer Can I use my existing design file for a different product? You can often reuse a design across different products, but you will need to resize and adjust the file so it fits the new product's dimensi… Read answer What file formats are best for printing (rasterized vs. vector fonts)? For the sharpest printed text, use non-rasterized (vector) fonts rather than fonts flattened into an image; vector type stays crisp at any s… Read answer Will my design wrap around the sides of my product? On products with a visible edge or thickness, artwork typically wraps around to the sides, so backgrounds and colors continue over the edge … Read answer How do I design clear plastic cards-which parts will be clear vs. printed? Clear plastic cards print only where you place ink, so blank areas stay transparent, and a printed backing or white underprint keeps text le… Read answer Do I need to send the InDesign file or is a PDF enough for printing? A print-ready PDF with bleed, embedded or outlined fonts and high-resolution images is normally enough, so the InDesign file only matters fo… Read answer Should I include the guides and layers when submitting my final design file? Export the final print file with artwork and bleed only, turning off trim and safety guide layers and hiding markup so nothing is misread as… Read answer What should I do if my design has trim lines or guidelines-will they print? Draw trim, fold and cut guides in a bright color like magenta or pink so they read as markup, and note which lines are guides when you submi… Read answer Do I need to add bleed to my file? Bleed is optional with a white border, but adding 0.125 inch per side means a 16 x 16 inch design goes in as 16.25 x 16.25, with text kept i… Read answer What file formatting and bleed requirements do I need for my print project? Add a .125" bleed past the final trim size and extend backgrounds into it for edge-to-edge printing, then check the product's own specs.… Read answer How do I set up a bleed on my printed materials? To set up bleed, add 1/8" of artwork on every side and push backgrounds past the red cut line on your proof, exporting the PDF with crop mar… Read answer What bleed and resolution requirements do I need for my file? This production spec calls for a high-resolution PDF with 0.125" of bleed on all sides and images at 300 DPI or greater, with key content ke… Read answer Where should I place ring holes or grommets in my design template? Ring holes, also called grommets, are punched through the edges of banners and similar pieces for hanging; they are typically 3/8 inch in di… Read answer What's the minimum recommended border thickness for printing? Keep printed borders at least 0.25 inch thick, since trimming can shift up to 1/16 inch and make a hairline border look uneven, even within … Read answer What is the minimum text-free area needed if I want to drill holes in my printed pieces? Drilled holes should land in a clear, text-free margin, so mark the hole position in your artwork and ask your printer for the safe distance… Read answer Why isn't my QR code showing up correctly on my printed cards? A QR code that prints badly usually needs a dark code on a light, solid background with clear space around it, and a test scan at final size… Read answer What is the minimum size for a QR code on printed materials? The smallest recommended QR code is 0.75" x 0.75", with a quiet zone on all four sides, strong dark-on-light contrast and 300 DPI or higher … Read answer How should I prepare my files for color-critical print projects? For color-critical jobs, ignore your monitor, build in CMYK with deliberate values, and order a hard copy proof to see the ink on the actual… Read answer Why are my uploaded images showing incorrect colors? Wrong colors after upload usually come from color mode or format, so resubmit a print-ready PDF in CMYK with intentional values, then check … Read answer What happens if my image files are in RGB and low resolution? RGB, low-resolution images print soft and off-color, so use CMYK at 300 DPI at final size, and flagged files get a proof showing corrections… Read answer What black color values should I use to avoid printing issues? Heavy solid black dries poorly and can flake, so build a rich black of cyan 50, magenta 40, yellow 40 and black 100 for large fills and back… Read answer Why are smaller quantities more expensive per unit? Setup, plates or dies and labor are fixed costs charged once per job, so a small run spreads them over fewer pieces and each unit costs more… Read answer What does 'NET' pricing mean for products? NET pricing is the base or wholesale cost per unit before taxes, shipping and volume discounts, so the final amount shifts as those charges … Read answer Why is my printed product color lighter than expected? Prints read lighter than screens as monitors glow in RGB while CMYK ink reflects light, and bright blues, uncalibrated screens and matte sto… Read answer
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