Printing FAQs
The questions below cover Basic File Setup, Advanced File Setup, Paper Types & Finishes and How to Avoid Common Problems. If you have a question that isn't covered here, please contact us or use the Live Printing Support Chat, available on the right.
Basic File Setup
What is Camera-Ready Art?
Camera-ready art is any original piece for a printing job that are prepared such that the printer can scan and print.
What are vector images?
Vectors are object-oriented graphics of defined curves and line segments; these are resolution independent and can be stretched or resized indefinitely without loss of quality.
What color mode should my files be?
If you send us an RGB file, there is a chance that a color shift may occur and you may not be satisfied with your job.
You should always start and finish your designs in CMYK color mode.
What resolution should my file be?
Low resolution files may be printed as is or will be placed on hold until we receive new files, slowing your turn-around.
We only accept 300 dpi files and no less.
What type of files can I send to you?
We recommend saving as a .PDF
You may also send the file in the following types: jpg, jpeg, psd, tif, tiff, eps, ai, and png
We prefer that you send .PDF and .EPS files with outlined fonts. These files are easier to handle and will likely speed up your turn-around. Remember to flatten your files before uploading.
When uploading artwork via our website, please zip your files.
What is a Bleed?
When an image goes right to the edge of the paper without a border. The image in the file must extend 1/8 inch past the finished dimensions the paper, that extra 1/8 inch is cut off and allows for the tolerance of the printing process. Design full-bleed projects with the cutting process in mind.
Does Cat5ive accept borders on jobs?
Yes, but if the area between the edge of the image and the edge of the paper is too close to the cutline, it may be cut off-center slightly.
We cut through many sheets at a time, so watch your borders to avoid an unwanted mistake.
Advanced File Setup
How do I set up a file for Full Color Foil Process?
First create a new spot channel in Photoshop: Choose Window > Channels to display the Channels palette. Choose New Spot Channel from the Channels palette menu – If you made a selection, that area will be filled with the currently specified spot color.
Please name the new spot channel “Silver Foil”. Click the color box and choose a color that is different from the rest of the colors in the artwork so that it is easy to distinguish where the foil will be.
If you already have an alpha channel and need to convert it to a spot channel, select the alpha channel in the Channels palette and choose Channel Options from the palette menu. Select Spot Color. If needed, rename the channel to “Silver Foil”. Click the color box, choose the right build color in the Color Picker dialog box, and click OK.
NOTE: You may need to invert the image, if so choose Image > Adjustments > Invert.
Save the file as a DCS2 eps – stands for Desktop Color Separations. This is a special kind of EPS file that can contain spot color channels. Please make sure that only the option “Spot Colors” is checked in the dialog box.
NOTE: If the “Spot Color” option is not available, then a spot channel was not created. Please check, and verify the steps.
The next window should be as follows:
- Preview: Macintosh (8 bits/pixel)
- DCS: Single File DCS, No Composite
- Encoding: Binary
- No options checked
How can I set up a file for silver ink?
Silver ink files must be sent in a vector format. You must use a vector program, like Illustrator or Indesign, to call out the object you want in silver ink.
PANTONE 877C
To indicate the silver ink, you must set the object color to Pantone¨ 877 C. Any other color will not be accepted as silver. Labeling the layer as "silver mask" or "silver" will not qualify your file.
Remember, silver is a spot color and transparencies like drop shadows should be avoided.
How should I set up my file for proper rotation?
Cat5ive requires print ready files with proper rotation. Files submitted are printed HEAD to HEAD as-is based off your files.
Make sure to set up your files so that when we print them HEAD to HEAD the final product will read the way you would like. Also, front and back files need to be set up either both sides vertically or both sides horizontally.
For files not properly set up, Cat5ive will use best judgment and will not be responsible for improper rotation.
How to set up files for a Spot UV job?
When creating a Spot UV job, You must include a Spot UV template file along with the regular full color file. The Spot UV template file is used to show where the UV will be placed. Use 100% K to indicate where you would like the UV. White will indicate no UV.
Remember "If it's white, you can write"
How do I set up my files for Unlimited Metallic printing?
With our Unlimited Metallics system, you can make any CMYK color or full color image into a metallic color. Unlimited Metallics jobs must be created in Photoshop. In addition to your full color artwork, you must add a channel to your final file.
- After creating your full color design in a photoshop layer, select what you would like to be metallic with the magic wand or selection tool.
Make sure when making your selection, to only select the area that you need metallic. The Unlimited Metallic system will not work on gradients so do not include them in your selection. - After the selection is made, go to the channels pallete, then the channels menu, and select "New Spot Channel..."
- When the "New Spot Channel" window shows up make sure your settings look like this...
Make sure the name of your spot channel is "mu channel". Under "Ink Characteristics", color is set to, C 0 M 0 Y 0 K 100. Solidity is set to 100%. - The black parts indicate what will be metallic and the white parts will print as normal CMYK ink.
Remember, the color or area you indicated in the channels must match the same area you want metallic in your layers. - Save your file as a "Photoshop DCS 2.0" file. Make sure your format options are:
- Preview: Macintosh (8 bits/pixel)
- DCS: Single File DCS, No Composite
- Encoding: Binary
- Include Halftone Screen
Paper Types and Finishes
How is paper thickness measured?
Paper thickness can be measured with calipers, usually in thousandths of an inch (referred to as "mils" or "points")
What is Coated stock?
Papers that have clay slurry applied to their surface are coated stocks. These papers can range from extremely shiny to very dull. The chief benefit of these papers is that less ink is absorbed into the paper resulting in brighter colors and crisper detail. All glossy papers are coated papers.
Cast coated papers are coated by a process that creates a very glossy surface on the paper.
What is AQ or Aqueous Coating?
A clear, nontoxic finish used to add brilliance and durability to many products. Aqueous coating is not as durable or glossy as UV coating.
What is UV coating?
UV coating is a plastic coating that is applied after the printing process. This yields a very tough, almost unscratchable surface that is more durable than aqueous coatings.
How to Avoid Common Mistakes
How can I make sure that my blues do not come out purple?
When using a blue in your design, always make sure to leave at least a 30% difference in your Cyan and Magenta values.
100% C 100% M 0% Y 0% K
What is a rich black and how can I get it?
Rich black is an ink mixture of solid black, 100% K, with additional CMY ink values. This results in a darker tone than black ink alone. If you print black alone as 100% K, the resulting black may not be as dark as you might like.
We recommend using
C 60 M 40 Y 40 K 100
This will give you a deep, dark, rich black.
Rich black should NOT be used for text or when containing white (knocked out) text, slight shifts in registration can cause rich black lettering to appear blurred, especially at smaller point sizes.
What is banding?
Many things can cause banding. Banding can be caused by the program that it is exported from, such as Indesign or Corel. Also, too many gradient steps, for example going from a very light color to a dark color, in a small area will cause banding.
To prevent this, check your digital files before sending. If you use a gradient, make sure it has enough room for a smooth transition.
Why does my business card crack around the edges?
Cracking of the edges of a business card sometimes occurs when the card contains high values of ink, as in dark colors.
This usually happens on a small amount of cards in the run. To prevent this, use lighter colors or if you must use dark colors, use as little ink as possible.
Why is there cracking on my scoring job?
When a job is coated with UV then scored and folded the job may begin to crack. During use, the cracks will become bigger and the ink may start to chip off.
Cracking is normal when coated jobs are scored and folded. Ordering the job without UV will help but may not prevent this. As the job is used and folded more and more, cracking will eventually happen.