To ensure your print jobs are completed as quickly as possible and that both you and we are happy with the result, we have put together some simple recommendations for preparing print files.
How to send files?
We accept print files by e-mail at info@thesigns24.com
For some products, files can also be uploaded directly in the online shop under the product editing view.
If the files are too large to send by e-mail, you can use file-sharing services (e.g. Google Drive, Mega, etc.) and simply send us the link.
File types
We work with both vector files (SVG, EPS, PDF, AI) and raster files (JPG, TIFF, PNG, GIF etc.)
Vector files:
- In broad terms, a mathematical drawing where the image is made up of lines with different starting points, directions and lengths
- It can be scaled up and down as much as you like without any loss of quality
- Suitable for logos, text, icons and simpler graphics.
- Looks sharp both on a business card and on a building facade.
Raster images
- The image is composed of many small differently coloured squares (pixels).
- If the image is enlarged too much, it becomes blurry or pixelated.
- Suitable for photos and complex images with many shades and details.
Vector files
- In a vector file, all objects should be converted to outlines, including text. All fonts used in the print file must be converted to vector paths (curves, outlines). Font files are generally not embedded in vector files and, if the text is not converted to outlines, our software may replace missing fonts with others and the appearance will change. Text converted to vectors will not be substituted and everything will remain as originally intended..
- We recommend defining colours in the CMYK colour system.
We can manage other systems as well, but we can most reliably ensure colour accuracy when using CMYK. - If you want stickers cut from pre-coloured films, the colour system is not so important, because we only use the contours (cutting lines) in the file.
- The vector file should be cleaned up: remove any invisible “background junk” and unused layers; when cutting, all layers are brought onto a single level and cut lines that are not visible on screen but are “real” in the machine may appear.
If you want a printed job with contour cutting (cutting the printed image to a specific shape), then you do not need to add the cutting line to the vector file. If you do not want white edges around the shape, you should allow for bleed and make the outer contour with the background extended 3–6 mm larger. The larger the graphic, the larger the bleed should be, because the position of the cutting head can shift slightly relative to the print – the bleed helps to avoid white edges.
It is helpful if you also let us know whether you want contour cutting with or without a white border, and whether the artwork already includes bleed.
Raster images
- For a raster image, the print resolution should be 96–300 dpi (number of pixels per unit of length). In general, the higher the quality you want, the higher the resolution should be. If the printed object is viewed from a distance, a very high resolution is less important.
- Ideally, the file should be at 1:1 scale, i.e. the same size as you want it to appear in print. If the raster image is small and has to be enlarged, it will inevitably become blocky.
- A simple check:
enlarge the image on your screen to approximately the same size as it will be in print.
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- if the image looks sharp, the print will also be sharp
- if the image is blurry or blocky, it will also look like that in print
- A raster image can be in the RGB colour space
Dimensions and text
- For design dimensions we work with width and height (horizontal and vertical axes).
- For text height we refer to the height of a capital letter without diacritics.
- If there is a longer block of text, you can specify the size of the area where the text should fit – we will adjust the text accordingly.
- Please provide dimensions in millimetres – this helps to reduce misunderstandings.
Office files (Word, PowerPoint etc.)
It is not practical to use files from Word, PowerPoint and other Office programs directly as print files, because they may on different computers open differently and therefore we cannot guarantee that the result will meet expectations
You can still use Office programs for design if you wish, but the file should be saved as a PDF or some other suitable file format, as described above. Of course, you should also check afterwards that the layout is correct.
Changes to files and repeated jobs
If the file needs:
- size changes,
- elements to be rotated or mirrored,
- other design corrections or adjustments,
then please describe the required changes separately in your message. Otherwise, we will base the work on what is in the file.
The same applies to repeat orders: even if you have ordered the same product before, we may not remember all special requests by heart.
We usually do not charge a separate fee for preparing print jobs. However, if the files do not follow the recommendations above and we need to make extensive corrections or rework, we may charge a preparation fee according to the time spent.