TPM

Preparing your files for print is easy. There are only a few things we need from you to successfully get your ideals translated into print:

File Formats

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Save your file as one of the following .TIF, .JPG, .AI, .EPS, .PSD, or hi-res .PDF.

We strongly discourage the printing of Powerpoint slides, Word documents, and website images. These will almost always come out looking less than satisfactory due to their low resolution.

Software

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We use the most updated versions of the following software: Adobe^® Photoshop^®, Adobe^® Illustrator^®, Adobe^® InDesign^®, and QuarkXPress^®.

Resolution

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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 idea. This can vary by project. The general resolution for wall murals, car wraps, and oversized banners should be 100 - 150 DPI  when enlarged to full size. Please call for specifics.

If your file is not 300 dpi, you cannot 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.

CMYK Color Mode

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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. 

Bleeds

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Bleeds are required in all artwork with an image extending to one of the borders. Add two inches (2.0") to each side to allow for cutting. For example, for a 36" x 72" banner with full bleed, the image size should be submitted at 40” x 76”.

Fonts and Transparency

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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.