What is CMYK mode?

CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. The CMYK printing is one of the most common methods used for print collaterals and is also known as 4-color-process printing.

The artwork/files submitted to us should be the color mode of CMYK as one of the criteria to qualify as a print-ready file.

Files submitted are in other colors modes such as RGB or Pantone, then as a standard print practice, they will be converted to CMYK during our proofing check process.

Note: The conversion from other color mode formats to CMYK may cause a shift in the colors.

What is bleed?

The bleed area is an extra space added to the actual dimension of the card. Bleeds ensure strips of white paper do not show on the edges of your card when cut to size. If your design, has colors on your product that stretch to the edge of the document, it's best to let those colors stretch, or "bleed" past the edge of the product size. That ensures your colors go all the way to the edge of your document. It is a recommended practice to have all your design elements within the bleed area. 

If your choice of the business card is sized 3.5" x 2" inches, then your design(artwork such as background colors or images) should extend by a quarter of an inch (.25") for each dimension of the card. As a general rule extend your design by .25" or .125" (1/8”) on each edge of the card.

So in the above example, you will submit your artwork/image of dimension 3.75" x 2.25" inches. The 1/8 inch added extra on each edge of the card will be trimmed off during the cutting process, so you get the appropriate card as ordered 3.5" x 2" inches.

BLEEDS, CUTS, SAFETY LINE PRINT GUIDELINES - PRINTMAGIC
What resolution should image files have?

Resolution is one of the most critical aspects in ensuring a good quality of print. Image Resolution of 300 dpi, is recommended for good quality picture print.

The resolution of an image is defined as pixels per inch (PPI) or dots per inch(dpi). Each dot or pixel dimension and its resolution have a relation to the physical size of the image.

So an image of 1600 x 1600 pixel with a resolution of 72 PPI would represent an image of physical size 22.22" x 22.22". The same image of 1600 x 1660 pixels but saved with a higher resolution, say 300 PPI at around 5.33" x 5.33".

Meaning the higher the resolution, the more pixels it can accommodate in a square inch area. So the higher the resolution, the better the quality of the image and print collateral being "Non-Pixelated ".

How vector graphics created?
Vector graphics are created by illustration software such as Adobe Illustrator.
What type of file format can I upload, or you support?

You can upload .pdf, .tif, .jpg, or .eps files. We mostly recommend .pdf files.

How do I use your provided layout templates?
Our layout templates are not interactive as they are for design placement only. Depending upon which software program you are using, open the PDF or JPG file in your software program to set up guidelines. Use the red (bleed), blue (trim), green (caution zone), and green/yellow dotted lines (folding) to set up your artwork layout.