Below you will find all of the technical information you will need in order to submit your own digital art to us. If you have any questions at all please e-mail or call us at 626.579.2582

Introduction

In order for your project to go smoothly, please read the following instructions.

Please review this section carefully. Files not explicitly matching the specifications may cause your order to be delayed and additional charges to be added to your invoice. Due to tight turnaround times and low margin for error, we reserve the right to refuse orders with files that do not meet our basic criteria. Customers employing the services of third party designers should be sure these file submission specifications are understood and followed. Please make backup copies of your files and keep a hard copy for reference. Emboss Graphic & Advertising does not accept responsibility for file archiving (although we do it!).

NOTE: All cards have 'Emboss Graphic & Advertising 626.579.2582’ printed on the back in very small type (5 point). If you do not want this on your card you need to submit this request in writing before you get your proof. Fax this request to 626.579.2373.

For postcard, please be aware of the local post office requirements, size of label, and type of postage being used when designing your card to avoid any surprises when time to mail.

For postcard only

Emboss Graphic & Advertising is happy to accept work over the Internet. However if your job is more than several megabytes, you may be better off sending a disk or CD to avoid long upload and download times.

Emboss Graphic & Advertising will accept your art (Submitting Material) or we will design your card for you. Design is billed at $75 per hour and usually takes from 4 hours and up (Design Services).

Payment Information: All black and white printing work, as well as our color printing work postcards, requires full payment in advance.

Design requires a deposit of 50%, with the balance due upon proof approval before printing. Every order is paid in full in advance before we can begin work on your job. No refunds for any reason - reprinting or house credit towards future orders only. Work will not be done on your order until your order is paid in full. Printing must be paid in full when the order is placed. We accept checks and money order only and please mail to 2646 Durfee Ave #123, El Monte, CA 91732

Time Table: First, we need to reserve your spot on the run. You do this by faxing us your order form with payment. Next, provide your artwork in digital format per our specifications. Once you receive a proof of the front and back and sign off on it, you'll have your cards within 2 weeks.

Shipping and Handling: will be additional depending the postage and service to your area.

Media Formats: We accept output transparencies, digital files, 100mb Zip Disk, 1Gig Jaz, CD Rom from almost any Macintosh and PC-based program. Please note that scanned images should be submitted in CMYK format.

• Scans should have a minimum of 350 pixels per inch at their intended reproduction size.
• E-mail artwork to art department: simon@emboss.net NOTE: Put your company name in the subject line of the e-mail please.
• Soon you will be able to use our FTP site to submit your art

Emboss Graphic & Advertising cannot be responsible for lost, damaged, corrupted or incompatible disks. Include only the files needed to produce your job. Please label all disks.

Layout Specifications

• All files are placed in QuarkXpress 4.1 or less (preferred)
• If you do not have Quark and want to submit art as a tif or eps there may be an additional art charge.
• For postcard, put both front and back of card in same file - with page 1 as the front and page 2 as the back.
• Name your file the same as your Company Name.
• All support files and fonts must be included on disk.
• All colors must be converted to CMYK format. Back will always be black (unless otherwise worked out with your sales rep).
• Do not stylize fonts in the layout program. Use the actual version of the font you want (i.e bold, italic, etc.)
• Group all items and save the file at 100%.
• Keep all art and type boxes within the size of your card.
• Do not use crop marks.
• Make sure all pictures are updated and in the correct file.
• All cards should be submitted in horizontal format even if the design is vertical.
• Make your document size match the final dimension.
• We recommend that you keep art type or critical design inch from the edge in case there is 'blade shift' during cutting. (safety). This will prevent unsightly 'cutter blade draw' (which is unavoidable.) We strongly suggest you do not use a border around your image, as we cannot guarantee 'straightness' and 'evenness'. We are not responsible for type or art that is cut off if these guidelines are not followed.

PHOTOSHOP FILES
Native Photoshop files are not acceptable. Save as a Tiff or EPS and drop into Quark.

• Support files created in Photoshop must be submitted in TIFF or EPS format only, without LZW or JPG compression.
• Keep images at 100% and 300 dpi.
• Files should always be converted to CMYK, as RGB files will not print correctly. We are not responsible for shifts in color from RGB to CMYK.
• Scale, rotate, crop, etc. all picture files within the native program before importing into your layout program.
• Avoid complicated clipping paths, as this can lead to output problems.
• Be sure to include 1/8" bleed/safety in your Photoshop file (if applicable).

ILLUSTRATOR AND FREEHAND FILES
Native Illustrator, Freehand, and Corel files are not acceptable. Save as an EPS and drop into your Quark file.

• Convert all fonts to 'outline' or 'curves' and save as an EPS file - do not leave fonts embedded in these files.
• Always include the original files for all placed art, matching the specifications shown here for that file type.
• Avoid complicated clipping paths, as this can lead to output problems.
• Be sure to include 1/8"bleed/safety in your files (if applicable).

FONTS

• PostScript fonts are preferred. Fonts such as True Type, Multiple Master, etc. may not transfer properly in gang-run format to the image setter.
• All screen and printer fonts must be included on your disk with your order.
• Do not put all fonts in one suitcase.

We are not responsible for files output from documents with missing fonts.
IF you are FURNISHING FILM
Film should be: 175 line screen, right reading, emulsion down negatives. A matchprint of the project must be provided and there will be an additional $20 stripping charge.

PC FILES:

• We are Mac based so you may be charged $75 when providing PC digital files.