FAQ • Printing 101 – Repro Cite Grafix

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When I upload my artwork, why won’t it center?

Remove any strays from the file and make sure it isn’t larger than it needs to be. It should be the final size PLUS bleed (1/8″). Also, flattening your artwork can help.

The dimensions I’m looking for aren’t on the list. What do I do?

If you would like to place an order for a size that is not listed on the website, you can still place an order online. Select the size that’s closest to your desired final size WITHOUT selecting a size that’s smaller than your document. Once the order is placed, do not send the files in right away. Contact us first, ideally by email (support@citegrafix.com), with your order number and the final size you would like. We will change the dimensions of your order, so that you can upload your files. The upload page isn’t working, what do I do? If you’re having difficulties sending your files, you can try these steps:

use a different browser
update browser + scripts (Java, Flash, etc)
reboot your computer
clear cache/cookies
check to ensure that the specs of the files you are sending are correct (size, bleed, CMYK, transparency, etc)

If the problems persist, please get in touch with us. I want to place more than one order and ship all to the same address. How can I save in shipping fees? Add all orders to the cart before doing the checkout. This way there will be one combined shipping fee. Please note that adding an order to your cart with a longer production time will increase the time before all orders ship. How do I prepare files for Spot UV orders? Follow these guidelines:

The UV and design files must be separate and in four different files
Send one file, with only one layer for the design of the recto
Send one file, with only one layer for the design of the verso
Send one file, with only one layer for the UV of the recto
Send one file, with only one layer for the UV of the verso
If the spot UV is only on one side, then specify which side in the comment box (when placing your order)
what is in spot UV must be 100% opacity and only 100% black, and not a combination of colors
all four files must be the same size, so if bleed is 1/8″, business cards would be 2.25″ X 3.75″ so all four files should be this size,
In the design, be sure to use CMYK unless you paid for Pantone colors

When sending the files, send the design of the recto and the verso in the section that asks for the “front” and “back”. Send the UV files in the section “additional files”.

To avoid any issues please make your line thickness min 1pt
We do not recommend tight register with spot UV layers. The spot UV layer may move up to 1/16″.

How do I prepare files for rollup banners? Follow these steps:

Add 1/4″ bleed along the top and the sides of the banner
The banner must be 33″ x 81″ + bleed
Avoid putting text in the bottom 3″, in order to make sure it doesn’t end up within the base of the stand once installed

How can I check my PDF for errors? Open your PDF in Adobe Acrobat (not the Acrobat Reader software). Depending on your version of Acrobat, these steps may vary. Go to Tools > Print Production > Preflight. Once you click “preflight”, a window will open and on the bottom right end you will see the button “Analyze”. Click on “analyse” and you will see a list of errors with your document. How can I split my PDFs (from multiple pages to individual pages)? You can visit www.splitpdf.com. This is an online tool to help you separate your PDF files. What are the difference of the types of upload/prepress services Repro Cité Grafix offers? Assisted File Upload: We can upload your files for you Professional Artwork Check: We will look through your files for common printing errors. Ship me Samples: We will ship your order to your client, and ten samples of that order to you. No proof run as is: Your files are ready and can go straight to print. PDF proof (file-check only) $: You would like a PDF proof. Your order will go into production after the PDF is approved. PDF proof (file-check+layout+folding) $: You would like a PDF proof of an order that has folds. We will take a close look at the location of the folds before sending you a PDF. Your order will go into production after the PDF is approved. Epson proof $: You would like a hard-copy (printed) proof. Your order will go into production after the Epson is approved.

Printing 101

Laying out your document The outer edge of the artwork is considered a “safety area” that is utilized for cutting. No important images or text should be placed within this area. Although an 1/8 of inch is the minimum, we strongly recommend you use a 1/4 inch (.25). Here is an example of the correct way to submit your files:

Correctly submitted artwork	Correctly submitted artwork after cutting

Keep your type in! This is an example of how the same file can be submitted incorrectly. If you notice, the file was designed with all of the type and important graphics right up to the edge of the canvas. This results in the cutting of logos, fonts, and important graphics. This is an example of how NOT to submit your files:

Incorrectly submitted artwork	Incorrectly submitted artwork after cutting

Remember As with any “gang-run” printing company there is a slight variation when cutting your jobs. We do not guarantee jobs with borders on them. These jobs will most likely come out uneven. File Specifications Before sending in your digital files, please review the following specifications. If you are unsure about the specifications, please do not hesitate to contact our pre-press department prior to sending your file. Adobe Illustrator Save file as an EPS Format, images should be embedded, and fonts should be converted to outlines. Adobe Photoshop Your Photoshop files should be flattened and saved as TIF document. Please make sure that your document is in CMYK colour format and at a resolution of at least 300 dpi. PDF Format We only accept PDF files that have been saved as a postscript file from your native program first, then “distilled” using Acrobat Distiller using PRESS setting. PDF X1, Please check “OVERPRINT PREVIEW” in Adobe Acrobat. Fonts All fonts used must be supplied. Both printer and screen fonts must be included. Postscript fonts yield industry standard results. Alternatively all fonts can be converted to outlines. Scanning All scanned images should be of a professional standard. Scanned images need to be saved at an appropriate resolution of 300 dpi for continuous tone reproduction (photos and/or illustrations). Photos or scans should always be saved as CMYK and saved in TIF format. Bleed When we quote a print size, it is for that specific image area, please make bleeds inward (al teat .125″) unless other wise specified, if you are bleeding outward please include bleed when requesting quote. We need .125 of bleed so if your order is for a 3.5 X 2 business card, we need 3.75 X 2.25. Colours All colours in your document must be CMYK. If you use spot colours in your design please convert them to CMYK before saving. Duotone images must also be converted to CMYK. Colour is printed to ReproCité Grafix standards, i.e. pleasing colour. Exact colour match IS NOT not guaranteed. Critical colour requires a colour key or match print. Colour laser copies or other proofs are not considered accurate pre-press proofs. We are limited to maximum ink coverage of 300%, anything over may result in many print related problems such as cracking or offsetting. To achieve a rich black, we recommend setting the values C30, M30, Y30, 100k. Orders with solid blacks with only C0,M0,Y0,K100 will not print fully black. Upload guide Click here to view our upload guide [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][/vc_row]