Pre-Press and Graphics

First and foremost hire a graphic designer if you know one. It will save you some time. 

If you like to do it yourself, we recommend getting one of three programs.

Design Programs

1. Adobe Illustrator 
2. Adobe Photoshop
3. Canva - This is a must have!  They have changed the design game.

Or any Microsoft program that will let you export a high resolution PDF

While we do not offer design services we are happy to check your files for production ready resolution, sizing and overall quality.  

Following is the list of all acceptable file types (formats)
PDF, TIF, JPEG,  (All layers must be flattened prior to submission of a pdf) 

 We recommend the following applications for maximum design quality and the best print results:

Adobe Illustrator®, Adobe Photoshop®, Adobe In Design®, Quark Express® and Corel Draw®
(Corel Draw files must be exported as one of the following formats: High Resolution PDF, JPEG, TIF EPS or AI and make sure all fonts are converted to curves)

 We require a minimum resolution of 100-150 dpi at 100% print size, or 200-300 dpi at 50% print size on all Raster Based designed and submitted files such as TIF, PSD, JPEG & etc.
Vector based files such as EPS or AI. Resolution is irrelevant and files can be reduced or enlarged to almost any size without losing print quality.

Bleed: For all large format printing please include 1/4" Bleed to file - This will leave 1/8" trim on all sides

Example:   22" x 28" required finish size poster. setup file to 22.25" x 28.25" 

 We require that you convert all fonts to Outlines / Curves where possible before submitting your design art file. 

Save your design in CMYK MODE, we can also work with RGB files however we will be converting all RGB colors to CMYK mode prior to printing and this may cause shift in colors.
(24 hour poster is not responsible for any color shifts.). We always recommend sending a flattened file.  

We recommend submitting files at 100% final print size.  If not possible you may also design and save your graphic files at 50% (200-300 dpi) or 25% (400-600 dpi) of final print size.  (Your final file size will be determined by what you entered on the home page in inches.). 

 For the best results on printing SOLID BLACKS (Excluding text smaller than 30 pt.)use C=60% M=40% Y=40% K=100% 

 We only print 4 -6 color process (CMYKLCLM). If you use Spot or Pantone colors, please have them converted to process colors (CMYK) prior to submitting your file. We will try to match as close as possible. 

  1. File must be in proportion to the
final size. Any scale is accepted.
2. For billboard artwork only, please
provide 8 inches of bleed all four
sides.
3. Submit hard copies with files.
4. High quality proofs are accepted for
match prints.
5. DO NOT EMBED FILES. Please, send
all art used in files.
6. Submit both screen & printer fonts.
7. Convert all fonts to curves, outlines,
or paths when able.
8. Use charts below for digital photo
scale and resolution. 

Scale          Resolution

100%       150dpi
50%         30dpi
25%         60dpi
10%        150dpi
1”=1’       180dpi
1/2”=1’    360dpi
1/4”=1’    720dpi

Scale         Resolution

100%            25dpi
50%              50dpi
25%              100dpi
10%              250dpi
1" = 1'          300dpi
1/2" = 1'       600dpi
1/4" = 1'       1200dpi