Frequently Asked Questions
The digital graphic team of Printoly will guide you how to prepare your files for better quality. Check out below for answering your questions.
Preferred file format for print is PDF - Portable Document Format. This format allows for the quickest turnaround time and best previews.
Other acceptable formats are EPS, SVG, AI, TIFF, PSD (with layers flattened).
Use vector graphics where possible for logos and text.
Vector files are ai, eps, and svg. They have mathematical equations for every line, text, shape, etc and are scalable when resize without losing quality.
Raster files on the other hand are very resolution specific. These file work with grid of pixels and when scaled they lose quality.
Resolution should be a minimum of 300 DPI (dots per inch) for a high-quality print.
The highest quality prints will use vectors, outlines, and curves that do not depend on DPI.
Avoid auto upscaling low-resolution images due to pixelation issues.
If you need upscaling or vector work, please contact our team and let us know.
Most prints use CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) specific to printing, instead of RGB (Red, Green. Blue) which is typically for screens.
A rule of thumb for wide format (large decals and signs) and printed paper goods (postcards, brochures, business cards) is to use CMYK.
When using our roll label products, the color space can be any you desire, our software and printer can get close to the colors given.
If spot colors are required, use Pantone colors. Cut marks and white layers should use spot colors of "CutContour" and "White".
Use 100% K for black, if you need different warm and cool blacks add up to 40% cyan or magenta. Avoid rich blacks since our UV ink is dark in general.
Bleed is the outer most area that is beyond the cut line or margin. The size needs to be at least 0.125" (3mm) on each side.
Margins are the next area that is part of the image on the outside that is given values as a safety area.
The safety area ensure less issues with finishing and cutting and is best to stay within it. Margin or also called the safe area needs to be 0.25"(6.35mm) away from the cut line.
When ordering items with important text and images next to the cut area, please alert us and we will do our best to work with you.
Below you can see an example with correct bleed and incorrect bleed.
The size font used is specific to industry and governing bodies. For examples, pharmaceutical labels require 4.5pt, 7pt, and other sizes for specific areas.
Best practice is to convert all text to outlines to prevent font substitution. Because the system may not have the required font. If you have the text files and want our art team to work with you to help implement a majority if your products for production and the highest quality, we will gladly help you if you reach out.
Ensure fonts are at least 4.5pt for readability for consumers. Our roll labels can approach 2.0pt in certain materials and solutions if requested.
Make sure the images are embedded in the files, not linked. Failing to do so will cause the image to not present in the printed product.
Remember to use high or equal resolution of images when creating your artwork for greater visual consistency.
In Adobe Illustrator, below the menu bar, there's a context bar when you select an object, it will show different options. Select Embed.
The different size of the rounded corners are the following: 1/64"(0.015"), 1/8"(0.125"), 1/4"(0.25"), 3/8"(0.375"), and 1/2"(0.5").
Here the 1/8" (0.125") is the standard size.
Asking yourself why do i need to put 1/64"(0.015") to the edges when it is so small? When applying this size to your square/rectangular shaped artwork, it can help the cutting process to better. The stickers can be easily detached from the sheet and no extra access to edges.
Got to File ---> Save As
Save as type: Adobe PDF (*.PDF) and click Save button
General
Compatibility: Acrobat 5(PDF 1.4)
Options
✓ Optimize for Fast Web View
Compression
Color Bitmap Images
Bicubic Downsampling To, 900ppi for images above 1350ppi
Compression: Automatic (JPEG)
Image Quality: Maximum
Grayscale Bitmap Images
Bicubic Downsampling To, 2400ppi for images above 3600ppi
Compression: Automatic (JPEG)
Image Quality: Maximum
Monochrome Bitmap Images
Bicubic Downsampling To, 2400ppi for images above 3600ppi
Compression: CCITT Group 4
✓ Compress Text and Line Art
Marks and Bleeds
✓ Use Document Bleed Settings
Output
Color Conversion: Convert to Destination(Preserve Numbers)
Destination: Document CMYK - U.S. Web Uncoated v2
Profile Inclusion Policy: Don't Include Profiles
Click Save PDF button
Go to File ---> Export...
Upper section select PDF
File Settings
Raster DPI: 450
Area: Whole document
Advanced
Rasterize: Unsupported properties
☐ Downsample images (Leave unchecked)
Resample: Lanczos 3 Non-Separable
Use DPI: 300
☐ JPEG compression (Leave unchecked)
Compatibility: PDF 1.7(Acrobat 8)
Color Space: As document
ICC profile: Use document profile
✓ Honor Spot Colors
✓ Include Bleed
Embed fonts: Text as Curves
Click Export button
Before saving into pdf file in Canva, make sure you`ve added bleed and extended any image for printing.
After that go to the upper right corner and click the Share button
Choose Download
File Type: PDF Print
✓ Flatten PDF
Color profile: CMYK(best for professional printing)
Then click Download
If you do not have the pro account, you may not have some features presented here.
Media - be it paper to BOPP, the media the most important part next to your contents quality. Choosing the right media makes all the difference to enhancing your products visual appeal of function.
BOPP - a strong tear and resistant material that can withstand water to oils. These are among the widest used products due to its color crisp printing capability, amazing clear, metallic and holographic materials.
Paper - the most popular and widest array of applications in the industry. Not only is this the most economical option, but it provides a familiar feel and rigidity that is expected of a fiber like product. Tearing is able and sometimes a desired and applicable feature that helps the end function of a product.
Vinyl - used mostly for custom cut material to be placed outside for a promotional amount of time upwards to almost a decade. These materials tend to have a more soft flex feel and often come with special backing to allow for air escape or other properties.
Synthetics & Recycled - from wood veneers to kraft wine paper there are medias that though might be most costly, they will stand out from the competition with their unique touch, look, shine, and many other visual properties to choose from.
Lamination Finishing - the protective layer that is applied on the top of your media that gives it desired rigidity, visual differences, and resistance to scratching and liquids.
Flood UV Lamination - this uses a liquid coating that is frozen into place by UV lights that gives a controlled thickness that protects paper and specialty products from scratching other light durability issues.
Indoor Lamination - the materials used for indoor lamination are typically like a film that lays on top to give a more moderate durable features when it comes to the various issues labels run into while being in stores and transporting.
Outdoor Lamination - when durability and longevity matters, outdoor laminations are the strongest and most resistant to UV film layer protection you could use. This would be used on products that have a lot of sunlight or you desire a thicker label, sticker, or decal.
Specialty Lamination - sometimes one would like to combine holographic medias together and use a lamination film with stars on top of it to give an extra visual flare or authenticity, while providing protection, making this a unique way to go above and beyond when it comes to standing out with your customers.
For compliance with wholesale business and production of printed goods to be later used for products to be sold by yourself, a resale certificate will remove sales tax from your account for each year, and must be annually updated. This protects you and us here is audited by departments of revenue.
You can share your resale certificate to our email support@printoly.com .