In order to reduce unnecessary time consumption and misunderstandings, we describe general principles of print files sent by customers.
Print files can be sent via e-mail info@thesigns24.com , files can also be added to some products in our shop. If the files are too big to be sent by e-mail, you can share links to file sharing environments (Google Drive, Mega, etc.)
We accept files in vector (SVG, EPS, PDF and AI) and in raster (JPG; TIFF; GIF; PNG, etc.) formats. Vector files can be enlarged almost infinitely without quality loss, the raster image becomes pixelated when enlarged. Raster is suitable for presenting photos, logos etc. are more suitable to be made in vector.
Vector Files
All shapes must be converted to outlines in a vector file, including text. All fonts used in the print file must be converted to vector lines (also called curves, outlines). Fonts are generally not included in the vector file, and if the texts are not converted into vector lines, the programs we use on our computers might substitute missing fonts with something else and the visuals will change. Texts converted to vector are not replaced and everything remains as originally intended.
The colors of the vector file should be described through the CMYK color system. There are different color systems, we can also handle others, but we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the colors. CMYK would be the most accurate.
If you want stickers cut from pre-colored films, then the color or color system in the vector file is not important, as only the vector outlines are used.
The vector file should be cleaned of any background junk on different layers that is not visible on the screen if the file is intended to be used for a contour cutting. On a computer screen, the design could be correct, but if you try to cut a file full of clippings hidden on different layers, then all the layers will be raised to the same plane and the result will be a file full of unnecessary cutting lines. This is typical when vector files are made in illustrator.
If you want a print job with a contour cut, then you should use cutting margins around objects to be cut. Depending on the dimensions of the object or shape, the margins should be around 3 - 6 mm. The bigger the shape, the bigger the margin. The printed sheets are aligned in the cutting machine with a laser, but nevertheless, the cut may deviate slightly from the ideal trajectory. That is why it is necessary to use cutting margins. If you don't want white edges around the shape, then the outer contour should be made 3-6 mm larger with the continuation of the color. It would be good if you also tell us that the shape is already designed with cutting margins and we don't need to add it ourselves.
Raster images
The print density of raster images should be 96-300 dpi (in general, the more detail you want, the higher the print density should be). If the printed object is viewed from a distance, then a high print density is not so important.
It would be good if the picture print size was in 1:1 scale. If the image needs to be enlarged, the raster image becomes pixelated (checkered), therefore for a very small image we cannot guarantee a beautiful print. You can make sure that the quality of the image is sufficient if you enlarge your image on the computer screen to the size of the desired printout , if the image is sharp, then the printout will also be sharp, and vice versa, if it is blurry or checkered, the printout will also be the same.
A raster image can be in the RGB color system.
Other
If it is necessary to make changes to the print files, to change the dimensions, to rotate some details, to mirror or to make other alterations, then please specify the desired changes. This also applies to repeated orders, even though you may have ordered the same stickers or decals before, there are many customers and we may not remember all the special requests. Customers' wishes also change over time.
The dimensions of shapes should be described in millimeters.
The dimensions of shapes are measured on horizontal and vertical axis (width and height).
When it comes to text height, the we're talking about the height of a capital letter without any special glyphs. In case of longer text, you can also specify the size of the area where you want to fit the text, and we will increase or decrease the text to the desired area.
Files from Word, Powerpoint or other Office programs are not suitable print files, as they may open slightly differently on each computer. For these files, we cannot be held responsible for a different result than expected. If desired, Office programs can still be used for designing, but the file should be saved either in PDF or another suitable file format, which we have already described above. Of course, you should also make sure that the design is correct after saving.
We generally do not charge for the preparation of print jobs. But if the above principles are ignored and the preparation of the print job becomes time-consuming, then we might ask extra fee according to the time spent.