Please refer to the available print product templates provided below for specific guidelines for most of the print products we offer. Using these templates, which match our exact print specifications, will help ensure a much better quality finished print product. It's quick and easy to download specific print product templates in an assortment of popular graphic design software applications. There are also tutorials below for several common design programs for your convenience. If you should have any questions regarding our templates, please call us for assistance.

Not Acceptable File Formats : Microsoft Office Files | Apple Pages | Files With no Bleed and no traping | open office documents | MSPAINT

Important Art Submission Details

All files must be submitted as a PDF in CMYK format, except for 1 and 2 color letterhead and envelopes. Any files not submitted in CMYK format may color shift when processed. We will not be held responsible for any color shifts that occur in conversions from RGB to CMYK or PMS (Pantone Colors) to CMYK color modes.

A minimum resolution of 300 DPI is required for all raster art and images. Artwork, designs and images submitted with a lower resolution than 300 DPI may not print as sharp and clean as desired. We are not responsible for images printed fuzzy, distorted or pixilated due to customer provided artwork or for any color shift in converted photographs (RGB images) with black, near black or gray tones. Color shifts from a perceived black or gray must be addressed prior to file submission. Proofs do not guarantee black, near black or gray final output.

We strongly suggest that all items except for background images be at least 1/8" from the trim line. Text or graphics falling closer than 1/8" to the trim line may be cut off.

If customer supplied artwork requires technical or design re-work, additional charges will apply. If you elect to fix the files yourself to avoid these charges, our template(s) must be used to re-submit the file(s).

Note: PDF proofs are generated within 24 hours of the time and date of art file online upload submission for all "print ready" art files submitted. Weekends and Holidays are not considered part of the 24 hour proof turnaround time period.

The Art Department processes artwork on Windows computers running Windows operating system. GAC accepts art created in PC and Macintosh computers only in specific applications which allow cross-platform conversion (please see listing below). Please specify authoring platform when submitting art to ensure accuracy. Conversion of files not meeting these software requirements are subject to additional charges for production. Spectrum adheres to the standard industry definition of reproducible art and reserves the right to accept or reject art depending upon the job. Vector art is preferred for spot color printing. Supported native file formats are:

INKASAPE	Corel Draw X3	Adobe Illustrator CS5
	Flexi-Sign 8.1	Adobe Photoshop CS5

Files from other software should be saved in EPS or PDF format and all type in each file should be converted to curves (paths, outlines). JPEG and TIFF files can be acceptable only if sent in high resolution. Submitted artwork that requires reworking for production will incur an art charge (most jobs require some amount of work by the Graphics Dept. to setup for production).

We typically cannot accept ads created in the following software: Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft PowerPoint or Microsoft Word. Adobe PageMaker, Quark XPress and FreeHand users - files must be exported to Adobe Illustrator (.ai) or EPS format and ALL TEXT/FONTS CONVERTED TO PATHS/CURVES/OUTLINES.

VECTOR / RASTER

Resolution for Art or Photographs

All files should be built at 100% output size and sent ready to open. Avoid file compressions such as LZW and JPEG routines which cause damage to the original production file. All scanned images should be no less than 300dpi RGB color space. For grayscale and monochrome black & white line art, ideal resolution is 600dpi. Scans that do not meet resolution specifications are not guaranteed to output well and submitting agency assumes responsibility. If you require scanning, please provide color or black and white photographs not less than 5x7 inches displaying good focus and properly composed. Art and photos downloaded from the Web must meet the above requirements for optimum output. Photos downloaded from Web pages that have been saved at low resolution (72-100dpi) may not print clearly.

Do not include halftone images such as those used in magazines and newspapers. Pre-press output for screen printing is widely divergent from traditional angles and screens used for offset printing and lithography. Our standard line screen output is 35lpi which yields an average tonal range between 25% - 75% density.