Resources
Print Guidelines
Everything you need to know to submit print-ready files and get the best results from our equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Design Tools
The software you use to design your files has a direct impact on print quality. Here's how the most common tools perform on our equipment.
Industry standard for multi-page documents, brochures, booklets, and catalogs. Supports CMYK, bleed, crop marks, and embedded fonts natively.
Most reliable. Preferred for all multi-page and complex layouts.
Ideal for vector-based artwork, logos, die-cut shapes, and single-page pieces. Scales without quality loss.
Required for die-cut outlines and specialty toner artwork.
Best for photo-heavy designs. Export at 300 DPI in CMYK as a flattened TIFF or PDF.
Flatten all layers before exporting. Do not submit layered PSDs.
Widely used and accessible. Output quality varies. Must export as PDF (Print) with bleed enabled.
Verify CMYK output. Canva defaults to RGB — color shifts are common. Double-check dimensions before submitting.
File Formats
Choosing the right file format ensures your artwork prints exactly as designed.
| Format | Description | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| Print-ready, preserves layout, fonts, and color profiles | All print jobs — our preferred format | |
| TIFF | High-resolution raster; supports layers and transparency | Photo-heavy posters and large-format prints |
| EPS / AI | Vector format; infinitely scalable without quality loss | Logos, die-cut outlines, specialty toner artwork |
| JPEG | Compressed raster; smaller file size | Quick-turn jobs at medium resolution — not ideal for fine detail |
| PNG | Raster with transparency support | Artwork with transparent backgrounds — verify 300 DPI |
Color 101
Color on screen and color in print are fundamentally different. Understanding this will save you from surprises.
Always work in CMYK
Our Sharp BP-1200s and Ricoh Pro C7200x are CMYK presses. Submitting RGB files will cause the RIP software to convert colors automatically — often producing duller, shifted results. Set your document to CMYK from the start.
Screens are not calibrated for print
Even in CMYK mode, your monitor likely displays colors brighter and more saturated than what a press can reproduce. Do not rely solely on your screen for color approval.
Specialty colors require special setup
Our Sharp BP-1200s supports specialty toners including white, clear, gold, and silver. These must be set up as spot colors in your file — not CMYK builds. For specialty toner jobs, native files (InDesign, Illustrator) are required so we can verify spot color channels before going to press. Contact us before submitting files that require specialty toner.
Request a proof for color-critical work
For projects where color accuracy is critical — brand materials, packaging, event signage — we recommend requesting a printed proof before full production runs.
File Preparation Checklist
Run through this checklist before submitting any file to avoid delays.
Ready to Submit Your Files?
Our team reviews every file before it goes to press. If something looks off, we'll reach out before production starts.
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