Print Ready Requirements

Before we get to our requirements, lets first explain some terminology. 

Are you printing for the first time? Do you want to learn what Bleed is?  What is this margin I keep hearing about?  Trim size verse Finish size?  Click below to watch a short video and learn our printing terminology and how to setup your files. 
If you already know these terms, skip below and get our print requirements for setting up your files.

Provide JPG files only with 300 DPI/PPI.

DPI (Dots Per Inch) or as some might call PPI (Points Per Inch) refers to the number of pixels within an inch. Think of this as the density of an object. The higher the DPI, the more pixels there are in every inch of the object and the higher resolution/quality the image will be. When exporting your artwork from a design tool like photoshop or InDesign, make sure the image dimensions is close to the final print dimensions and that you submit JPG files that are 300 DPI.

What happens when the image is not 300 DPI? The number of pixels within a given inch stretch apart and the result is a lower resolution image. Check out the video below to learn how to export your image.

JPG artwork only with 0.125″ bleed.

In the printing industry, bleed refers to the area around the perimeter of the image that is trimmed off during the production phase. This area has a width of 0.125″ inches all around the image or each page. It is very important that there are no dialogue bubbles or any other important content on the edges of your art.

Example:  Standard comic finish size is 6.625″x10.25″.  Each page with bleed needs to be submitted as 6.875″x10.50″.  If there is a spread/crossover page, the .jpg file needs to have the page numbers in the file name and the bleed size to submit is 13.50″x10.50″.  We will manage the digitally cutting of these pages.

NOTE:  Do Not, under any circumstances, add a white or black border around your image to try to push content inside. If the white border width is greater than the bleed width (0.125″) there will be a white outline in the final product. Click on the link below to learn more.

watch this video tutorial

Submit spreads as 1 image

Do you have a comic or graphic novel page(s) that are crossovers/spreads?
If so, please submit the double page spread like the one in the image above.  Name the file the page numbers that they represent. 
For example: Page_8-9.jpg. 
Using our templates will assist you in creating the proper file sizes.  We will digitally cut the files for you so that it is right every time.

RGB color profile only

There are two color modes that most people use. RGB and CMYK. RGB color profiles are used for digital and screen images such as websites or social media. CMYK color profiles are used for print.  

Please submit files to us using Color Profile sRGB IEC61966-2.1.

We use the RGB format as all of the prepress and proofing is completed digitally.  Once digital proofs are approved, our state of the art presses will convert the colors to CMYK.

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