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ART RESOURCES

Here you’ll find information on the best practices for producing the highest quality print in a timely manner.

TIPS FOR PRINT

ART RESOURCES

Here you’ll find information on the best practices for producing the highest quality print in a timely manner.

TIPS FOR PRINT
What is our printing process?

PRINTING METHODS EXPLAINED

Direct Print
Direct printing is the process of stamping solid inks onto a surface one at a time. Up to three ink colors can be printed on one side. This printing process only uses Solid Coated Pantone Colors which are very accurate because solid inks are used rather than blending four inks to build a color.
  • Various Clear Plastic PET and PLA Cups
  • ECO-Friendly PLA Paper Hot Cups
  • Paper Cold Cups
  • Food Bowls
  • 4 and 10oz Single Wall Paper Hot Cups
Full Color Print
“Full Color” or CMYK is a 4 color printing process where Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black ink are combined in different amounts to achieve millions of color variations. It is the best printing method for multi-color logos, gradients, and photographs.
  • 8, 12, 16, & 20oz Single and Double Wall Paper Hot Cups
  • Dimpled Coffee Sleeves
  • Vinyl Stickers and Floor Graphics
  • Paper Adhesives
  • Various Clear Plastic PET and PLA Cups
Screen Print
Screen printing is the process of transferring inks one layer at a time using a mesh screen, mixed inks, and a squeegee to print a design.
  • Apparel (T-Shirts, Outerwear, Polos, Aprons, & Masks
  • Tote and Drawstring
Embroidery
Embroidery is the process of stitching colored threads to form a logo. This process is limited to five colors.
  • Hats
  • Available on Polos (Contact a sales representative for embroidery pricing)

Some art may need to be adjusted when printing to meet production requirements, please review our tips for print or more information.

What is needed when submitting artwork?

TIPS FOR PRINT

File Formats

Vector artwork is recommended for the best quality print. This format allows us to scale the art to fit the product without any unintended loss of clarity or quality in the printing. To submit your art as a vector file please send file formats – .AI or .EPS.

Raster graphics such as .PSD, .JPG, and .PNG must be high resolution.

Acceptable File Types:

  • .AI
  • .EPS
  • High Resolution (300dpi) .PDF, .PSD, .JPG, or .PNG

We do not accept files of the following types:

  • Word/Pages
  • Powerpoint
  • Photographs or screenshots of logos or art
  • URL Links
  • Low resolution images*

*Additional charges may occur if a low resolution image is submitted in order to convert it to a printable file type.

Example of vector file

Example of a low resolution image

Fonts Within Vector File

Please outline your text or include the font files with your submission. If you would like us to make any changes to your text the font files will be required with art submission. Font files will end in .OTF or .TTF.

Embedding Linked Files

Vector files can contain internal link files for images within your art such as images and logos. Please check that all your links within your document are embedded. To embed an image within Illustrator:
  1. Select the layer with the linked file
  2. Go to Properties
  3. Choose Embed
  4. Save

If linked files within your art are not embedded this will result in a delay.

Resources for Designers

SET YOUR PRINT
UP FOR SUCCESS

Please try to prepare your artwork as close as possible to how you would like it printed. If adjustments are needed, please list them during the ordering process; the more we know about what you want, the smoother the process will go! Keep in mind that the longer it takes to get the art ready, the longer it will be before printing can begin.

Templates

Where can you find templates?
Templates can be found on each product page. These templates are downloadable and can be opened in Illustrator. Please note these templates are to scale.
Please note that art submissions are not required to be on a template. Our in-house art team will do this for you while optimizing your art to production standards. You will receive a proof you must approve before your order enters the production queue.
How do our templates work?
For best results, please reference our instructions on each template. It is important the print area, safety area, and bleed area be taken into account when designing. For best results please submit both your art files in their original high resolution format without crop marks as well as your template design. This allows the art team to make any necessary adjustments for bleed while staying as close to your requested design as possible.

Revised Print

Please keep in mind some elements or your artwork might need to be altered to best fit the requirements and restrictions of the printing method. Our in-house art team will be sure to keep your logo as close to the original while ensuring the best print quality is achieved.

Color for Printing

Please convert your artwork files to CMYK. Any artwork supplied in RGB mode will be converted to CMYK during the proofing process. Please note that RGB colors are developed from light and are meant for web and screen view. Due to this not all RGB colors can be replicated in print. CMYK color mode will give you the most accurate idea of a color’s saturation before printing.
The color you view on your computer or device screen is an approximation as colors can vary slightly between different screens based on calibrations and from the printing process used. Please note we can not verify the color accuracy if the proof is printed on an outside printer because there is no way to verify the result due to printer calibration differences.
Substrate type can also affect the appearance of a color. Color will print darker and less saturated on a darker substrate such as kraft paper compared to a coated white substrate.
If you are concerned about color, contact a sales representative to request a printed hard-copy. Depending on the product type printed hard copies may require additional fees.

Color Conversion

PMS matching system is used for color matching. Here you’ll find details and restrictions for each printing method. Please note that when selecting or reviewing a PANTONE color the corresponding PANTONE book should be used to reference the color for print accuracy. Many factors can affect the accuracy, including: screen quality, calibrations, and RGB screen representation. We can not verify the color accuracy if the proof is printed on an outside printer. There is no way to verify the result due to printer calibration differences.
Direct printed products will be printed using Solid Coated PANTONE colors. Reference the PANTONE Coated Formula Guide for Solid Coated PANTONE colors.
Pantone Colors provided for full color printed products will be converted to CMYK at no extra charge. Provided Pantone colors will be color matched to the best ability of CMYK printing. For best color results for full color printing please refer to the PANTONE Color Bridge books. Coated and Uncoated PANTONE colors may vary depending on the substrate. Some colors are harder for CMYK printing to hit such as teals, neon colors, and cool grays; reference a Color Bridge Pantone book for the most accurate depiction of your converted color.
Please note that not all products can be color matched and colors on all products will vary slightly from run to run.
Colors on kraft products such as dimpled kraft sleeves and kraft double wall cups can not be color matched due to the substrate color and finish. Please refer to the proof provided by our team.

Example of how the same PANTONE color can look different depending on the printing method.

Please contact a sales representative at [email protected] for answers to print questions.

unprinted