Tools & Resources

Bleed is the extra artwork area that extends beyond the finished cut line of your printed product. Commercial print jobs are sliced on heavy industrial guillotine cutters in tall stacks. While guided with precision lasers, micro-movements of up to 1/16" are normal during cutting.

Extending all background colors, photos, and decorative elements 0.125" (1/8 inch) past the trim edge on all four sides ensures that your graphics trim cleanly right to the edge, preventing thin white unprinted paper slivers. Formula: Total Canvas = Trim Width + 0.25", Trim Height + 0.25".

Digital computer screens generate color using backlit RGB (Red, Green, Blue) light. Commercial printing presses reproduce color by mixing physical ink droplets of CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) on paper.

RGB light displays an ultra-wide spectrum that physical inks cannot duplicate (especially neon greens, electric blues, and radioactive orange shades). When an RGB file is sent to the press, it is converted to CMYK, which can cause glowing screen tones to print slightly softer. Always design directly in CMYK mode (using standard profiles like U.S. Web Coated SWOP v2) to preview realistic print tones.

Using only 100% K (0/0/0/100) for large dark backgrounds produces a faded, dark-greyish appearance because the paper stock absorbs the single ink layer.

To produce a deep, velvety, midnight black on large solids, use our recommended Rich Black Formula: C:60 | M:40 | Y:40 | K:100. For fine body typography under 24pt, use 100% K only (0/0/0/100) to prevent ink misregistration blur on small type.

All raster graphics, photographs, and composite artwork must be saved at 300 DPI (Dots Per Inch) at 100% of final print size. Images copied from web searches or social media are typically 72 DPI to save bandwidth; scaling these up on physical paper stock produces visible pixelation, jagged artifacts, and blurry text.

Large Format Exception: For vinyl banners, A-frames, yard signs, and trade show displays viewed from several feet away, 150 DPI at 100% scale is acceptable.

If a PDF contains live typography that relies on fonts installed only on your local computer, commercial prepress RIP processors may not recognize the typeface. The system then automatically substitutes a default font (such as Courier or Arial), altering your kerning, line wraps, and branding.

Converting typography into vector outlines/curves permanently freezes the letterforms as vector art. In Adobe Illustrator, select all text and press Ctrl+Shift+O (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+O (Mac). In InDesign, select text and go to Type > Create Outlines.

Specialty coatings like raised Spot UV gloss or metallic foil stamping require a secondary black-and-white mask file perfectly aligned with your CMYK color artwork:

• 100% Solid Black (K:100): Designates areas where the specialty finish will be applied.
• 100% Pure White (K:0): Designates areas with NO finish.
• No Gradients or Drop Shadows: Specialty coatings cannot fade; use crisp solid vector shapes only.

Absolutely! If you have print-ready artwork, you can upload your files directly to our Print Shop. We recommend reviewing our Pre-Flight Setup & Margin Guide above to ensure your canvas dimensions, 0.125" bleed margins, CMYK color space, and resolution (300 DPI) are correctly configured before submission.

You can track your order status in real time in multiple ways:

1. Print Shop Account: Log in to My Account to view active order statuses, production checkpoints, and courier tracking numbers.
2. Automated Email: When your order leaves our facility, an automated shipping confirmation with your tracking link (FedEx, Purolator, or UPS) is emailed directly to you.
3. Support Ticket Desk: Have your Order #? Submit an inquiry on our Support Desk and our dispatch team will provide a live delivery update.

Standard production times depend on product specifications and finishes:

• Standard Business Cards, Flyers & Postcards: 2 to 4 business days.
• Specialty Finishes (Spot UV, Foil, Embossing): 5 to 7 business days.
• Booklets, Catalogues & Presentation Folders: 5 to 8 business days.
• Large Format Banners, Posters & Signs: 2 to 4 business days.

Turnaround begins once your digital proof is officially approved and payment is confirmed.

Yes! Rush production and priority courier shipping (Next-Day / Priority Overnight) are available on select popular products, including standard business cards, flyers, event posters, and pull-up banners. Contact our production team or specify your in-hands date when submitting your order to confirm rush availability.

We pack commercial print jobs with heavy-duty moisture barrier wraps and reinforced corner protection. In the rare event of transit damage, please take photos of the outer box and affected product and submit a ticket on our Support Desk within 48 hours. Our team will review the issue and initiate a priority reprint if required.

A digital proof is a calibrated PDF visual representation of your project sent to you for review before printing or development begins. It is crucial to check all text, telephone numbers, spelling, addresses, and layout placements carefully.

Once you sign off on a proof, files are immediately converted to high-speed press plates or live servers. Changes cannot be made after approval without incurring reprint costs.

Clients can submit consolidated feedback directly inside the Client Design Portal proofing tab or by submitting a ticket under Graphic & Web Design Support referencing their project code. Providing itemized, consolidated change requests ensures quick turnarounds on your revised proofs.

Upon final project sign-off and payment, you receive a full digital asset bundle:

• Vector Master Files: Scalable AI, EPS, and SVG source files for logos, signage, and merchandise.
• Commercial Print PDFs: Press-ready PDFs with 0.125" bleeds, crop marks, and CMYK color profiles.
• Web & Digital Formats: Transparent PNGs for web headers, high-resolution JPGs for social media, and favicons.

Yes! If you only have a small pixelated JPG or screenshot of your logo, our graphic design team can manually redraw and vectorize your branding into clean mathematical curves (AI, EPS, SVG). This allows your logo to scale infinitely—from a business card to a billboard—without blurring.

You can access the portal directly at portal-login.php. Enter your registered email address and password to view active graphic design projects, download completed artwork files, review proofs, and view past invoices.

Yes! Our unified authentication system recognizes credentials from both the Online Print Shop and the Client Design Portal, allowing seamless access across our services and support ticket desk without needing separate logins.

Visit our dedicated Customer Support Center or go directly to Submit a Ticket. Select the appropriate department (Printing & Orders, Graphic & Web Design, Billing, or Tech Support) and our support team will respond promptly.

Click the "Forgot Password?" link on either the Portal Login or the Support Desk Login page. Enter your email address and an automated, secure password reset link will be sent to your inbox within minutes.