| 1. Using a Template in Illustrator |
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Open Template
1. Download Template for your desired product
2. Unzip the template file
3. Open in Illustrator. (New>Open)
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Does your artwork have bleeds?
XcelPrinting requires .125" bleeds on your artwork (i.e., 4"x6" postcard image with bleeds would have dimensions of 4.125" x 6.125" in your artwork file.) 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 your files.
Does your artwork have borders?
The cutting process for printed materials has a mechanical tolerance of about .0625 or 1/16 of an inch. When using a border in your artwork, it is essential that your design use at least .25 or 1/4 of an inch of blank space from your border to the cut line to maintain a symmetrical appearance. |
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2. Create Guidelines & A Boundary Box |
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Create guidelines:
1. Make sure you are on the layer labeled "My Artwork" 2. Show rulers - (View>Rulers)
3. Click on the rulers and drag a guideline to the specified marks. This will help you line up your text/images to our template guides.
4. Note: The instructions are included in the template. Create A Boundary Box:
1. Make sure the stroke and fill are transparent 2. Choose the rectangle tool 3. Create a box with the proper dimensions of your entire artwork plus .25" for bleed |
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3. Adding Your Images |
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Add an Image
1. Place your hi-res file (Place>Place). 2. Check the resolution of your file and make sure it is set to 300ppi What is Resolution?
For an image to print properly, the image must be at least 300 pixels per inch (PPI) at the final output size. DO NOT try to change from a low resolution to a higher one by increasing the DPI in your imaging program.
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4. Convert Text To Outlines |
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Convert All Text to Outlines
All text within files must be converted to outlines with the outline set to zero to eliminate the need for fonts.
1. Edit>Select All
2. Type>Create Outlines |
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5. Show Hidden Font Characters |
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Show Hidden Font Characters
You must make sure there are no hidden characters in your artwork.
Every font field ends with an infinity symbol  . If there are symbols in your artwork without any type before then delete those type fields or make sure those fonts are outlined.
1. Type>Show Hidden Characters |
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6. Set Black To Overprint |
Set Black Text to Overprint
1. Filter>Colors>Overprint Black
2. Unselect Stroke
3. Select Include Blacks with CMY |
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7. Convert To CMYK Color Mode |
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Convert RGB file to CMYK
1. Filter > Colors > Convert to CMYK What is CMYK color mode?
The color mode of submitted files must be CMYK. If your files are submitted using any other color standard, such as RGB or Pantone, they will be converted to CMYK. Conversion from one color standard to another may cause colors to shift.
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Does your artwork contain 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). Whether created as rasters or vectors, gradients below 10% may not reproduce accurately.
Does your artwork contain solid black?  When you want an area of solid black within a document, 100% black (K) will not result in a solid, saturated black. Instead, use Rich Black, as represented by C:50% / M:40% / Y:40% / K:100%.
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8. Delete Template Layers |
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Select & Delete Template Layer
1. Click on template layer labeled "DELETE THIS LAYER" and delete.
* Note the instructions included in the
template |
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9. Save as an Illustrator EPS or PDF |
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Save an Illustrator EPS
Save file as Illustrator EPS
1. File>Save As |
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Save as Adobe PDF
If you are exporting your file to a PDF, please make sure that the PDF version is Acrobat 4.
1. File>Save As |
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Make sure you choose Acrobat 5 and check boxes Embed All Fonts and Thumbnails. |
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