Q: Does my artwork need bleeds?
A: Yes, we encourage a 0.125″ bleed around the perimeter of your artwork to ensure accurate cutting
(e.g., artwork for a 4″x6″ postcard should extend to 4.25″ x 6.25″).
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 print-ready files.
Before submitting your digital artwork files, you may want to review how to Prepare Your Files.
Q: Do I need to use CMYK color mode?
A: Yes. If your files are submitted using other color standards, such as RGB or Pantone, they will be converted to CMYK during preflighting. Conversion from one color standard to another may cause colors to shift.
Before submitting your digital artwork files, you may want to review how to Prepare Your Files.
Q: Does Ultradot Media accept all file formats?
A: We accept print-ready files in these formats: .eps, .jpg, .pdf, .psd, .tif, .ai.
Ultradot Media accepts print-ready files saved from the following design software programs: Adobe Photoshop® CS, Adobe Illustrator® CS, Adobe InDesign® CS, Adobe PageMaker, QuarkXpress®.
We can also print raster images (.tiff and .jpegs) independent of the application program used to create such designs if they are submitted at high-quality, uncompressed 300 dpi resolution, 8 bit, CMYK color mode. We do not guarantee files created in MS-Word or MS-Publisher. Please refer to your user manual or software vendor for information on how to output a print-ready raster image that meets Ultradot Media print specifications.
If you have an artwork file in any other format (e.g., word document), we ask you to convert to a PDF file that can be uploaded to Ultradot Media.
Before submitting your digital artwork files, you may want to review how to Prepare Your Files.
Q: Why is resolution important?
A: Resolution is so important because the more dots per inch, the more detail captured and the sharper the resulting image will be. Resolution or DPI (Dots Per Inch) can be described as the number of dots that fit horizontally and vertically into a one-inch space. For an image to print clearly, the image must be at least 300 dots per inch (dpi) at the final output size. If your file is not 300 dpi, you cannot simply increase the dpi from a low resolution to a higher one by increasing the DPI in your imaging program.
Q: What resolution is needed for my job?
A:For most printing jobs, 300 dots per inch (DPI) is the minimum resolution to guarantee acceptable printing results. For larger products such as large format posters and banners, we recommend sharper resolution which can range from 300 to 1200 dpi, depending on the intended use of the printed piece.
Before submitting your digital artwork files, you may want to review how to Prepare Your Files.
Q: What if my file is missing fonts?
A:We ask that you outline your fonts.
If you have vector artwork and your file is missing fonts, you can open your file in Illustrator, select “Create Outlines”, save your fonts, re-save your artwork file, and then upload it.
If you have artwork that is rasterized, you can open your file in Photoshop and select “Flatten the Layers”, re-save your artwork file, and then upload it.
Please do not submit your fonts separately from your file because it is critical that we receive your print-ready file with fonts included to avoid any printing issues.
Before submitting your digital artwork files, you may want to review how to Prepare Your Files.
Q: How do I convert text to outlines?
A: All text within your files must be converted to outlines with the outline set to zero to eliminate the need for fonts.
If you have vector artwork and your file is missing fonts, you can open your file in Illustrator, select “Create Outlines”, save your fonts, re-save your artwork file, and then upload it.
If you have artwork that is rasterized, you can open your file in Photoshop and select “Flatten the Layers”, re-save your artwork file, and then upload it.
Q: What if my file is missing images?
A: If your file is missing the images, you should re-save your file properly so that the images will not drop out during printing.
We do not normally accept images by themselves unless you have been in contact with one of our graphic designers to help you with your project. Otherwise, you must place all images in your artwork and make sure to save your files properly. Please refer to your software program manual for more information on how to save your files properly.
Vector-based software programs such as Illustrator or InDesign have a tendency of image dropping out when transparency effects are being used.
If you are using Photoshop, you should flatten all layers before saving to keep all images and text in place.
