Uploaded % ( ) Total
Uploaded files: % () Total files:
Uploading file:
Elapsed time: Estimated time: Speed:

File Requirements

Untitled Document

File Checklist

Before submitting your artwork for print, please make sure your file meets the following requirements.

Bleed: For any graphics or background colors touching the cut line (edge of paper), are they extended 0.25" greater than the width and height of the product size (0.125" each side)?
Safety: Are your text and images 0.125" inside each cut line (size of final product) to avoid being cut off?
Resolution: Is my image resolution at least 300 dpi for high-quality printing?
Font Type: Are my fonts outlined or embedded to avoid font substitution?
Colors: Is my artwork in CMYK color mode (not RGB or Pantone colors) for most accurate full-color printing?
File Format: Is my file format one of the following types: .PDF (best results), .AI, .TIF, .EPS, .CDR, .JPG, or .PSD?

To maintain our top-quality printing, we require the cooperation of the customer to prepare the file correctly for print. SelectGP.com is not liable for reprints if you fail to follow any of these directions.

If you have any questions, please fill out our website form, email us at web@selectgp.com or call us at 714-537-5250.

Instructions by Program

1. Document Size Specifications

Page Dimensions

Cut Line

The cut line is the final flat size of the printed product. To print all the way to the edge (known as "full bleed") we start from a bigger piece of paper and cut down to create the final size, known as the "cut size"

0.125" Bleed Line

The Bleed is where the images, colors, or design on the file go over the edge of the paper. To create a bleed, you must stretch or extend your design beyond the cut line (size of the printed product), by at least 0.125" each side, including any background colors, photos, or other items. Your file must include a 0.125" bleed, which will be trimed down to the cut size. Because the bleed is 0.125" on all sides, your page size will be 0.5" larger than the final cut size. If you do not include a bleed: a white edge will be visible around your design.

Safety Zone

The Safety Zone is the area 0.125" from the edges of the cut line. If any text or images are placed too close to the cut line (edge of the paper), they may be cut off. This is due to slight shifting when cutting large quantities.

Business Card Front and Back

for business cards, always send two seperate files for your artwork:
Not separating files will cause delays and you might have to send the files again.

2. Resolution

All file formats must have a minimum of 300 dpi resolution.

Printed graphics need to be created at 300 DPI in order to maintain the high quality of the image. Images on the web are often created at a low resolution of 72 dpi which is ideal for screen but NOT for print.

DPI = Dots Per Inch. A higher DPI means a higher image resolution and better image quality and also larger file sizes.

Tip:
Zoom in 300% to see the printed resolution.

Image printed at 72dpi

PRINTS FUZZY
(Good for web, not for print)

Image printed at 300dpi

PRINTS CLEAR
(Good for print)

If your file is lower than 300 dpi, you can make your picture smaller, which will increase the resolution (dots per inch) or buy, find, or take a picture with higher resolution. You cannot just increase the resolution for a low resolution file to a higher resolution file. It will result in a blurry or fuzzy printed image.

3. Typography

Type size should always be at least 8pt for legibility. Sizes 8 pt to 12 pt are common for body copy:

When printing reversed text, such as white on rich black or dark colors, with small type below 8-pt, you should add a thin stroke (between .1pt to .25pt) of white (or light color) to compensate to avoid color overlapping and filling the text:

Outlining fonts is converting the text into a graphic image. This is done so that your type prints precisely how you have it set. Outlining fonts helps avoid any font substitution (called "defaulting") or rasterized type (pixelated). Once you outline your type, the color and size of the text can be modified, but you will notbe able to edit the text by typing. You should save a seperate layer or file with your original type.

Outlining fonts ensures your typography prints correctly, without the chance of the font defaulting to a substituted one. It also ensures your type prints sharp and crisp on the page, and avoids the need to rasterize type (pixelating it)

Original (Vector) Type vs Rasterized Type

back to top

4. Color & Black

CMYK vs RGB Color

To print in full color, you will get the best color outcomes by providing all artwork files in CMYK color mode. Any full-color artwork provided in RGB and Pantone colors will convert to CMYK and may produce different color outcomes. Although RGB colors tend to be a lot brighter than CMYK colors on screen, it prints out more dull, as if washed out. If your order is color-sensitive, please look at the Pantone color swatch books to match CMYK color codes (you can find these color swatches at our store).

CMYK vs RGB

For Black and White and 1-Color work: Please provide the file in Grayscale mode and not in CMYK or RGB color.

Standard Black vs Rich Black

There are two types of black printing: Standard Black and Rich Black.

Standard Black vs Rich Black

With small and precise areas of black such as text, standard black color should be used to avoid overlapping of colors.

With heavy areas of black, rich black should be used to create a darker and richer black color. For the best possible results, we recommend a Rich Black value of C=60, M=40, Y=40, K=100 for UV Coated and Silk Laminated products. For matte and uncoated products, we suggest a Rich Black value of C=40, M=40, Y=20, K=100.

Spot Colors

Spot colors, which are sometimes called Pantone™ colors, are uniquely matched inks that cannot be mixed from standard CMYK process colors. Spot colors are often used when the print product must be consistent and match perfectly, usually containing one or two colors. Because spot colors are always custom, pricing and turnaround time are higher. To print a job with spot colors, a Pantone color code must be provided (color swatches are available at our location) and the file must have color separations.

5. File Formats

PDF files provide the best results and quickest turnaround time. For your convenience, we also accept a wide range of file formats including .PSD, .JPG, .TIF, .AI, .EPS, .CDR.