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 Useful Links:

» Upload Artwork

» File Preparation

» Folding Guide

» Common Errors

» Turnaround Time

» Testimonials

 

 

Main Help Topics

 

Top Frequently Asked Questions

Preparing Artwork Files >>

Submitting Your Files

Ordering Information

Account Options

Glossary

 

  1. Do I need to use CMYK color mode?

  2. How do I ensure my artwork is mailing-ready?

  3. Does turnaround time including shipping time?

  4. How do I cancel my order?

  5. How do I change my XcelPrinting password?

» Photoshop Guidelines

1. Using a Template in Photoshop

 

Open Template

1. Download Template for your desired product

2. Unzip the template file

3. Open in Photoshop. (New>Open)

Make sure that the resolution is set to 300 ppi (pixel per inch), the mode is set to CMYK Color. with 8 bit selected.

 

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.

 

2. Setting Up Guidelines

Create guidelines:

1. Show rulers - (View>Rulers)

2. 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.

3. Note: The instructions are included in the template.

 

3.  Adding Your Artwork

Add a new Layer

Create a new layer on top of the template layer for your artwork.

1. Add a new layer (Layer>New>Layer).

 

Adding an Image

1. Open your hi-res file (File>Open)

2. Check the resolution of your file & make sure it's set at 300 dpi

(Image>Image Size)

 

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.

 

 

What if my image is an EPS file ?

 

 

 

Rendering EPS Files

When opening EPS files in Photoshop, make sure that:

1. Resolution is set to 300 dpi
2. Mode is set to CMYK color
3. Anti-aliasing is turned ON

 

4. Convert to CMYK Color Mode

Set Color Mode
 

All files must be CMYK. If your art was not created in or converted to CMYK, do so now
 

1. (Image>Mode>CMYK Color)

 

 

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.

 

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%.

 

 

5. Delete Template

Delete Layer

1. Delete Layer 1, which contains the original template

 

6. Flatten Layers

Flatten Layers

Flatten all Photoshop layers before saving artwork for submission.

We strongly suggest that you create a backup file before you flatten the layers.

1. From the Layer pallet, see left, or from the menu (Layer>Flatten Image)

 

7. Saving Your File

File Format

Save your file as one of the following .JPG, .EPS or .PSD