Does my artwork have 0.25" bleeds?
Evergo requires a 0.25" bleed around the perimeter of your artwork to ensure accurate cutting (e.g., artwork for a 4"x6" postcard should extend to 4.25" x 6.25"). If your image has a white border on all four sides, bleeds are recommended but not required. If your image is not white on all four sides, you must include bleeds in print-ready files. Before submitting your artwork files, you may want to review our file preparation guidelines.
Do I need to use CMYK color mode?
Yes. If your files are submitted using any other color standard, such as RGB or Pantone, they will be converted to CMYK during preflighting. Conversion from one color standard to another may cause colors to shift. Before submitting your digital artwork files, you may want to review our file preparation guidelines.
Does Evergo accept any file format?
No. Evergo accepts print-ready files in any of the following formats: .eps, .jpg, .pdf, .ps, .psd, .tif.
In other words, Evergo accepts print-ready files saved from the following design software programs: Adobe Photoshop® CS, Adobe Illustrator® CS, Adobe InDesign® CS, Adobe PageMaker, Macromedia Freehand®, QuarkXpress®.
We can also print raster images (.tiff and .jpegs) independent of the application program used to create such designs if they are submitted at high-quality, uncompressed 300 dpi resolution, 8 bit, CMYK color mode. We can not guarantee files created in MS-Word or MS-Publisher will produce high-quality images and text. Please refer to your user manual or software vendor for information on how to output a print-ready raster image that meets Evergo specifications.
Please note that if you have an artwork file in any other format (e.g., word document), we encourage you to create a PDF file that can be uploaded to Evergo.
Why is resolution important?
Resolution also known as DPI (Dots Per Inch) can be described as the number of dots that fit horizontally and vertically into a one-inch space. Generally, the more dots per inch, the more detail captured and the sharper the resulting image.
For an image to print properly, the image must be at least 300 dots per inch (dpi) at the final output size. If your file is not 300 dpi, you can not simply increase the dpi from a low resolution to a higher one by increasing the DPI in your imaging program.
What resolution is needed for my job?
For most printing jobs, 300 dots per inch (DPI) is the minimum resolution to guarantee acceptable printing results. For larger products such as large format posters and banners, we recommend sharper resolution which can range from 300 to 1200 dpi, depending on the intended use of the printed piece.
What if my file is missing fonts?
It is important that you supply all fonts used in your layout. If you do not supply fonts in your artwork file, we will request that you resubmit your files with fonts included.
If you have vector artwork and your file is missing fonts, you can open your file in Illustrator, select "Create Outlines", save your fonts, re-save your artwork file, and then upload it.
If you have artwork that is rasterized, you can open your file in Photoshop and select "Flatten the Layers", re-save your artwork file, and then upload it.
Please do not submit your fonts seperately from your file because it is critical that we receive your print-ready file with fonts included to avoid any printing issues.
How do I convert text to outlines?
All text within your files must be converted to outlines with the outline set to zero to eliminate the need for fonts. Before submitting your artwork files, you may want to review our file preparation guidelines.
Does my artwork have borders?
If your artwork contains borders, you must make sure all borders are 1/4 (0.25) of an inch wide on each side of your artwork. In addition, you need to add a 1/8 (0.125) of an inch bleed on each side of your artwork. This approach will ensure proper cutting and help the finished product maintain a symetrical appearance. If your border is not at least 1/4 (0.25) of an inch wide on each side, you risk creating a border that looks uneven.
What if my file is missing images?
If your file is missing the images you desire, you should re-save your file properly so that the images will not drop out during printing.
We do not normally accept images by themselves. The only exception is if you engage one of our graphic designers to help you with your project. Otherwise, you must place all images in your artwork and make sure to save your files properly. Please refer to your software program manual for more information on how to save your files properly.
Vector-based software programs such as Illustrator or InDesign have a tendency of image dropping out when transparency effects are being used.
If you are using Photoshop, you should flatten all layers before saving to keep all images and text in place.
What if my artwork contains gradients?
Gradients are commonly used in printing and in most instances produce good results. Gradients can be represented in a file as a mathematical equation (Vector) or rendered by the application into a series of pixels (Raster). Before submitting your artwork files, you may want to review our file preparation guidelines.
Resolution also known as DPI (Dots Per Inch) or PPI (Pixels Per Inch) can be described as the number of dots that fit horizontally and vertically into a one-inch space. Generally, the more dots per inch, the more detail captured and the sharper the resulting image.
For an image to print properly, the image resolution must be at least 300 dots per inch (DPI) at the final output size. If your file is not 300 dpi, you can not simply increase a low resolution image to a higher one by increasing the DPI in your imaging program. The printed result will be a blurry image.
Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and FreeHand are object layout applications. They handle two different kinds of object: Vector and Raster.
Vectors are defined mathematically. Vectors are resolution independent, so they can be scaled to any size with absolutely no loss of quality.
Raster images are fixed resolution bitmaps with a set pixel dimensions. Scaling a 2“ by 2” raster image to 4” by 4” reduces the number of pixels per inch by 50%.
Pay careful attention NOT TO SCALE A RASTER OBJECT so that the print output is less than 300 PPI. For a raster image to print properly, it must be provided at 300 pixels per inch (ppi or dpi) at the final output dimension.
How to check resolution in Illustrator
To determine the resolution of an image placed in Illustrator:
1 Go to Window - Document Info
2 Click on small arrow at the right of Document window information
3 Click on Embedded Images
Color mode must be in CMYK to be a print ready file. If file(s) are submitted using any other color mode, such as RGB or Pantone, the file(s) will be converted to CMYK during preflighting. Conversion from one color standard to another may result in a colors shift or colors dropping out.
A hard copy proof is available in most of our products to view an accurate color representation of your artwork before going to press.
How to alter color mode in Photoshop
To convert your RGB file to CMYK in Photoshop.
Image - Mode - CMYK
Bleeds are required in all artwork with an image extending to one of the borders. Add a quarter inch (0.125") to each side to allow for cutting. For example, for a 4” x 6” postcard with full bleed, the image size should be submitted at 4.25” x 6.25” (red box).
0.125" (1/8”) on each edge of the card will be trimmed off during the cutting process. This will leave you a
4” x 6” standard post card (black box).
Your type (text) should be 0.125" (1/8”) inside the cut box on each side. This will guarantee your text to not be cut off form your artwork (blue box).
The cutting process for printed materials has a mechanical tolerance of about 0.0625 or 1/16 of an inch.When using a border in your artwork, it is essential that your design use at least 0.25 or 1/4 of an inch of white space from your border to the cut line to maintain a symmetric appearance.
Fonts, transparencies and other effects used in vector format softwares (Illustrator and InDesign) must be flattened and the fonts outlined. Not flattening transparencies or outlining fonts may result in some text or graphics dropping out from your artwork.
Adobe Illustrator
To flatten transparency and outline the fonts please use the instruciton below.
Select All (Ctrl A / Cmd A)
Object > Flatten Transparency > Make sure to check
“Convert All text to Outlines”
“Convert All Strokes to Outlines”
Make sure to uncheck
"Preserve Alpha Transparency"
"Preserve Overprints and Source Color"
Save file as PDF
Adobe InDesign
To outline your fonts in InDesign do the following instruction.
Go to each page and Select All (Ctrl A - PC / Cmd A - Mac)
Type > Create Outlines
File > Export > Save file as Acrobat file
How to check if my font/object dropped out.
Select (Check) "Overprint Preview" to see if any font or object dropped out if compared to the original artwork.
Advanced > Overprint Preview
