Artwork Requirements
For the best graphics imprint possible, we require the best quality artwork. The better the artwork you can provide, the quicker we can imprint your products with a top-quality imprint. We also have on our staff an award-winning art department that can manipulate what you send and can even create new artwork upon your request.
All artwork or copy can be sent to art@greatideasinc.com, up to 10MB in size. For files larger than 3MB, we recommend using the FREE compression application WinZip, WinRAR, or StuffIt. We can accept just about ANY file, though the following chart shows what types are preferred:
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PREFERRED ARTWORK
VECTOR DIGITAL ARTWORK
This is the BEST format to send digital artwork. Vector files can be resized infinitely and modified most easily of the digital formats. Many factories even require artwork be in vector format. Converting a bitmap/raster file into vector often requires some work, so whenever possible send all art in it's original vector format. If you had your logo professionally designed digitally, the designers likely designed it in a vector format which they can provide you. If you have text in your vector artwork, we advise that you convert them to outlines, so we don't have problems with missing or incompatible fonts (e-mail us for details).
Programs: Adobe Illustrator, CorelDraw, Xara X, Macromedia FreeHand, etc.
File Types: EPS (vector), AI, CDR, or WMF in order of preference.
Notes: Convert all fonts to outlines. Any bitmap elements in a layout need to be high-resolution. If you've had your logo or artwork professionally designed, the production studio should have vector artwork. Raster files converted to EPS are still raster files, and are no better than the original raster image.
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CAMERA-READY ARTWORK OR FILM
Professionally printed camera-ready black & white artwork can be optically resized up to 700% and remain sharp, providing the original artwork is sharp enough. Professionally shot and developed film can go beyond even that, though there may be a delay or charge to digitize from film. When mailing this artwork, be sure to secure it so it doesn't get bent in the mail and stays dry. Be sure to specify if you would like artwork returned, or if you would like us to keep it on file for future production. Mail to:
Great Ideas Inc. Art Dept.
1633 Ravine Lane
Highland Park, IL 60035
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HIGH-RESOLUTION BITMAP/RASTER DIGITAL ARTWORK
Bitmap/raster files vary on resolution and clarity. Raster images can't be made larger very easily, therefore we require LARGE raster images for any artwork job. They also have to be sharp, and can't have compression-artifacting (a result of lossy compression like JPEG). 300dpi (dots per inch) or higher at 200% to 1000% production size is recommended. You may use lossless compression like LZW or ZIP. Grayscale, RGB, or CMYK color are preferred. Click here to see an example of an image that is the minimum acceptable size.
Programs: Adobe Photoshop, Corel PhotoPaint, PaintShop Pro, etc.
File Types: TIFF (TIF), Targa (TGA), Photoshop (PSD), or Raster EPS (EPS) in order of preference.
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QUESTIONABLE ARTWORK
MEDIUM-RESOLUTION OR LOSSY-COMPRESSED RASTER DIGITAL ARTWORK
Raster images in an unfavorable format usually lose clarity and resolution due to compression or limitations of the file format. For instance, JPEG uses lossy compression, where it loses detail in order to reduce size. Some of these files, if large enough, MAY still be used but there's a good chance it might require work. Average acceptable file size is 300kb - 700kb.
File Types: JPEG (JPG), GIF89 (GIF), Windows Bitmap (BMP/RLE/PCX), Adobe Acrobat (PDF), PICT (PCT/PIC), Pixar (PIX), PNG, etc.
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DIGITAL PRINTOUTS & STATIONARY
Home printers are getting sharper and sharper while dropping in price. Artwork printed on a very high resolution printer on good paper (glossy photo paper for inkjets or bright-white heavier stock paper for laser printers) MAY often times be good enough quality, depending on the artwork. Low-resolution prints, faxes, photocopies, and low-contrast or light stationary will usually require extra work to fix and may incur art charges.
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DIFFICULT ARTWORK
LOW-RESOLUTION OR LOSSY-COMPRESSED RASTER DIGITAL ARTWORK
Raster images in an unfavorable format usually lose clarity and resolution due to compression or limitations of the file format. Images less than 200% of production size (at screen resolution) or are over-compressed (approx. 300kb or less) will probably require fixing which may incur art charges. Click here for an example of an image that's too small and too compressed to be used.
File Types: JPEG (JPG), GIF89 (GIF), Windows Bitmap (BMP/RLE/PCX), Adobe Acrobat (PDF), PICT (PCT/PIC), Pixar (PIX), PNG, etc.
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PAGE LAYOUT PROGRAMS
Many page layout programs embed graphics and fonts poorly or even incorrectly, so what looks good on your computer may look COMPLETELY different on someone else's system. Often times, these files lack essential resolution which makes artwork look jagged or grainy. Therefore we can often times not ensure integrity with these file formats. We can accept them, but often times they will require work to fix them which may incur art charges.
Programs: QuarkXpress, Adobe Pagemaker & InDesign, Print Studio, etc.
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WORD PROCESSORS
For graphics and logos, word processor programs embed graphics and fonts poorly or even incorrectly, so what looks good on your computer may look COMPLETELY different on someone else's system. Unless for straight-line copy, these files always lack resolution for good printing. Another big problem is that if you send a file that uses a font that someone else doesn't have, the other person will not see the file correctly. Therefore we can often times not ensure integrity with these file formats. We can accept them, but they will require work to fix them, which may incur art charges. If you are using a particular font, it may be a good idea to send the font with your document (e-mail us for details).
Programs: Microsoft Word & Works, WordPerfect, 602Text, etc.
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MICROSOFT PUBLISHER
We can't even begin to list all the issues associated with artwork developed within Microsoft Publisher. If at all possible, please save artwork made in Publisher in ANY other format and we might be able to work with it. Another alternative is to take a screen capture (e-mail us for instructions) of what you see in publisher and send us the file. Otherwise, Microsoft Publisher files always require being converted to a production format.
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