Please take a minute to also read our COMMON ERRORS and SOLUTIONS page, which lists the most common errors that M13 Graphics has with digital files received from customers.
What is Bleed? - What is dpi or resolution?
To get started, please use one of our FREE TEMPLATES or follow this STEP-BY-STEP-GUIDE:
STEP 1 - Create a new document (File / New) for each side of your project.
For this example we would create one Photoshop document for the front side and another file for the back side.
STEP 2 - Enter the following document Information
Width: 6.25
Height: 4.25
Units: Inches
Color Mode: CMYK Color
These specifications apply whether you are creating a new image, scanning, or resizing an existing image.
Step 3 - Set Bleed Guides
Drag four guides from the rulers exactly 1/8” (.125) on each side. This will be where your printed piece will trim and will leave you with the final size that you ordered (in this example, 4” x 6”).
Be careful, as text, borders, or images that are too close to the edge may appear uneven or get cut off. Also be sure to allow “full bleed” images to extend into the bleed area or the white of the paper may leak into the postcard image.
In the example above, the text "TYPE TOO CLOSE!" will get trimmed off, and the image will have a small strip of white on the right-hand-side.
Step 4 - U.S. Postal Regulations for Postcards
If you plan on mailing your postcards, the back-side layout must meet U.S. POSTAL REGULATIONS.
Step 5 - Check Image Resolution, Quality and Color
Please keep in mind that M13 Graphics only prints EXACTLY what is sent to us. We do not have the time or resources to alter or color correct your files. Image resolution, quality and good color all will affect how your final printed piece looks.
High Resolution 300 dpi Image
Low Resolution 72dpi Image
To prevent bad looking images your file(s) should meet some basic standards of quality and color:
Resolution: 300 dpi (dots per inch)
Front or Outside Color Mode: CMYK
Back or Inside Color Mode: CMYK
Other image quality/color issues: JPEG
Compression, Adobe Illustrator Color Settings,
Digital Camera Settings.
Step 6 - Make Large Black Objects and Images “Rich”
For black borders, headlines, and large black text to appear dark and saturated (or rich), you should set your CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) values to:
CYAN = 30%
MAGENTA = 30%
YELLOW = 30%
K - BLACK = 100%
Step 7 - Flatten Image
Flatten your Photoshop document by using the menu in the layers palette and choosing "Flatten Image". Or go to the Layer Menu / Flatten Image. This will remove all layers and reduce the size of your file significantly.
Step 8 - Save and Prepare for Upload
Save your file(s) in .JPEG format. To save as a JPEG file, go to the menu File and then select Save As... and select JPEG from the format list. Be sure to save with a Quality no smaller than 10. DO NOT USE THE SAVE FOR WEB OPTION.
After saving your files, you are ready to Upload them to us for print.
Below are templates for you to download for the most common sizes that we print. All Photoshop *.psd files are 300 dpi/CMYK color mode.
A-Frame Sign
Badge
Banner
Big Head Cutout
Black and White Copy
Booklet
Bookmark
Bottle Neck Tag
Brochure
Bulk Poster (25+)
Bulletin
Bumper Sticker
Business Card
Business Card Sharing
Calendar
Car Magnet
Carbonless Form
Catalog
Circle Business Card
Collated Document
Collectors Card
Color Copy
Comic Book
Corner Cut Business Card
Counter Mat
Direct Mail Postcard
Disposable Menu
Door Hanger
Drink Coaster
EDDM Menu
EDDM Postcard
Envelope
Flat Foil Greeting Card
Flat Foil Invitation
Flat Greeting Card
Flat Invitation
Floor Decal
Flyer
Flyer Sharing
Foam Board
Foil Business Card
Foil Postcard
Foldable Business Card
Folded Card
Folded Foil Greeting Card
Folded Foil Invitation
Folded Greeting Card
Folded Invitation
Folded Obituary
Football Flyer
Full Service EDDM Postcard
Gable Box
Giant Check
Gift Card Holder
Golf Hole Sponsor Sign
Golf Score Card
Golf Yardage Booklet
Graduation Yard Sign
Half Circle Business Card
Half-Fold Brochure
Hang Tag
Header Card
Heart Flyer
Holographic Sticker
Kids Menu
Label
Large Short Run Poster
Leaf Business Card
Letterhead
License Plate
Magazine
Magnet
Magnet Business Card
Mailer Box
Mask Update Sign
Membership Card
Memorial Poster
Mesh Banner
Metal Photo
Mouse Pad
Neon Paper Copy
Newsletter
Newspaper
Notepad
Obituary Booklet
OurCard
Oval Business Card
Paperback Book
Parking Sign
Party Hat
Photo Enlargement
Photo Print
Pizza Box Topper
Placemat
Pocket Folder
Pole Banner
Postcard
Prayer Card
Puzzle
Pyramid Table Tent
QR Code Business Card
Rack Card
Reflective Parking Sign
Retractable Banner
Review Card
Rigid Sign
Rip Card Flyer
Rip Door Hanger
Rolled Canvas
Rounded Corner Business Card
Sales Sheet
Save the Date Magnet
Shamrock Flyer
Slim Business Card
Small Short Run Poster
Soft Touch Business Card
Spinner Sign
Square Business Card
Standup Cutout
Sticker
Stock Shape Flyer
Stretched Canvas
Table Tent
Take-Out Menu
Tamper Proof Label
Target
Tear Off Flyer
Thank You Card
Ticket
Tissue Paper
Transfer Decal
Tri-Fold Brochure
Wall Decal
Waterproof Label
Waterproof Sticker
Window Cling
Window Perf
Wrapping Paper
Wristband
X-Frame Banner
Yard Sign