General FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions/File Requirements
Click a question to open and/or close the answer.
We recommend saving as a .PDF
You may also send the file in the following types: jpg, jpeg, psd, tif, tiff, eps, ai, and png
We prefer that you send .PDF and .EPS files with outlined fonts. These files are easier to handle and will likely speed up your turn-around. Remember to add crop marks and flatten your files before uploading.
If you send us an RGB file, there is a chance that a color shift may occur and you may not be satisfied with your job.
These colors are in RGB
These are the same colors but in CMYK
You should always start and finish your designs in CMYK color mode.
Low resolution files may be printed as is or will be placed on hold until we receive new files, slowing your turn-around.
These are 72 dpi low res images
These are the same images but at 300 dpi
We only accept 300 dpi files and no less.
Bleed must extend further than the cut line. Using one of our Templates can help you visualize this. Please keep all text and anything you do not want cut at least .125" away from the cut line.
When sending an .eps or .pdf, make sure you include crop marks so we can cut the job correctly.
Click here to go to our production templates.
Yes, but if the border is too close to the cutline, it may be cut off-center slightly.
We cut through many sheets at a time, so watch your borders to avoid an unwanted mistake.
QuarterPage Inc. requires Print Ready files with proper rotation. Files submitted are printed HEAD to HEAD as-is based off your files.
Make sure to set up your files so that when we print them HEAD to HEAD the final product will read the way you would like. Also, front and back files need to be set up either both sides vertically or both sides horizontally.
For files not properly set up, QuarterPage will use best judgment and will not be responsible for improper rotation.
Any transparency issue can be resolved before saving your file.
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What a transparency problem looks like on screen... |
After a transparency problem is printed... |
To prevent this, never use shadows, glows, or any other transparency (image or otherwise) on top of a spot color. Always convert your spot color to CMYK and flatten before sending.
- Shadows
- Glows
- Transparency
All of these effects will cause transparency problems.
When sending artwork, do not send extra files, like proofs or samples, because they might get printed. Only send the files you need printed.
Do not send these kinds of files
We are not responsible for these kinds of files being printed. Unless requested by one of our employees, DO NOT send files that you do not want printed.
Primarily used to intentionally overlap inks for a number of reasons, overprint can cause unexpected results. We suggest that you turn all overprint objects off before submitting your files.
- On Screen View
- After Printing
In this case the logo was set to overprint. The colors from logo are mixing with the colors from the background. Unexpected results may occur if you have accidentally set certain objects to overprint. Always check logos and other artwork before submitting.
No. We are now specifically set up to process one side at a time, and this requires that each side of a job must be on a separate file.
- 2 Files – 1FR, 1BK
- 1 File – FR&BK
Not separating files will cause delays and you might have to send the files again. Remember to separate the pages of your .pdf files as well.
When creating a Spot UV job, You must include a Spot UV template file along with the regular full color file. The Spot UV template file is used to show where the UV will be placed.
- Normal CMYK Print File
- Spot UV Template File
Use 100% K to indicate where you would like the UV. White will indicate no UV.
Remember "If it's white, you can write!"
When using a blue in your design, always make sure to leave at least a 30% difference in your Cyan and Magenta values.
100% C 100% M 0% Y 0% K
On Screen
After Printing
Blue is close to purple in the CMYK spectrum. Remember, use a low amount of magenta whenever using high amounts of cyan to avoid purple.
Example: C-100 M-70 Y-0 k-0
When exporting from any program such as Indesign or Illustrator, use these settings to make sure your .PDF files export correctly.
Export settings for .PDF files
Adobe PDF Preset is set to: Press Quality
Compatibility is set to: Acrobat 4 (PDF 1.3)
Compress Text and Line Art is set to: Off
If you cannot find these options, we have created a .PDF preset for you that is available for download from tools.quarterpage.com.
Grayscale images that are converted to CMYK will have a color shift in the final print. That shift may be green or yellow.
- Grayscale On Screen
- Grayscale After Print
Always check the CMYK values of your grayscale in the final CMYK document. If there are other values other then K in your grayscale image, there is a chance that the color will vary.
To eliminate all values other then K, use your Channel Mixer (adjustment layer) in Photoshop, then click "Monochrome" and adjust accordingly.
Rich black is an ink mixture of solid black, 100% K, with additional CMY ink values. This results in a darker tone than black ink alone. If you print black alone as 100% K, the resulting black may not be as dark as you might like.
100% K on screen
100% K after print
We recommend using
C 60 M 40 Y 40 K 100
This will give you a deep, dark, rich black.
Cracking of the edges of a business card sometimes occurs when the card contains high values of ink, as in dark colors.
Close up of business card
This usually happens on a small amount of cards in the run. To prevent this, use lighter colors or if you must use dark colors, use as little ink as possible.
Many things can cause banding. Banding can be caused by the program that it is exported from, such as Indesign or Corel. Also, too many gradient steps, for example going from a very light color to a dark color, in a small area will cause banding.
Close up of banding
To prevent this, check your digital files before sending. If you use a gradient, make sure it has enough room for a smooth transition.
When a job is coated with UV then scored and folded the job may begin to crack. During use, the cracks will become bigger and the ink may start to chip off.
Close Up Scoring
Cracking is normal when coated jobs are scored and folded. Ordering the job without UV will help but may not prevent this. As the job is used and folded more and more, cracking will eventually happen.
