art submission guidelines
File formatting and requirements
Preferred File Format
Our preferred file format is a press-quality PDF at 100% size, including bleeds and crop marks.
We also support:
- Adobe Illustrator (.ai, .eps, .pdf)
- InDesign (.indd, .idml, .pdf)
- Photoshop (.psd, .psb, .jpg, .tif, .raw, .eps, .pdf), CorelDRAW (.eps, .pdf)
Please contact your SuperGraphics representative for very large file deliveries.
general file preparation guidelines
- Build art in 1:1 full scale when possible, or 1:10th scale for very large graphics. Any clearly indicated scale is acceptable.
- Ensure your files include at least 1 inch of perimeter bleed (i.e. additional art extending 1″ beyond the needed final print size). For example, a 20″w x 30″h should be built at 22″w x 32″h.
- Ensure your file includes crop marks.
- All logos should be supplied as vector art or at the highest resolution available (raster).
- Convert all text to outlines (aka curves or paths) where possible, or include copies of all fonts used in the artwork.*
- All images used in the art should be linked (not embedded) and provided in an “Assets” folder.*
- Avoid color adjustments on-screen. What is seen on-screen is not how it will print in most cases.
- Files should be supplied in CMYK. Please indicate any specific Pantone (aka PMS or Spot) colors as needed for color match.
- All black should be built as Rich/Process Black (C:50, M:50, Y:50, K:100) to ensure solid/even saturation in the print.
Single-color (aka grayscale) black will not have the same density that Rich Black will provide. - Avoid the use of registration black, paper white, custom spot colors, and overprint transparency fills. These are offset printing options that do not reproduce well or cause errors in digital printing environments.
*InDesign & Illustrator will do this via the “Package” option
Resolution Suggestions:
- Please note, the quality of the original photo is as important as the pixels per inch (ppi).
- The recommended image resolution is dependent mostly on viewing distance. Higher image resolutions are better for close viewing distances.
- Here are suggested minimum image resolutions for large-format graphics:
- Viewing up close: at least 100-150 ppi
- Mid-range (viewing at 10-25 feet distance): at least 50-100 ppi
- Far away (viewing at 25 feet away or more): at least 25-50 ppi
For artwork created to scale, remember that the resolutions suggested here are at final size. For instance, if your artwork is created at a 1:10 scale, you must multiply the suggested resolution by 10 so the art is the correct size when enlarged.
