Design FAQ

Does your creative department design as well as print?
Yes Studio-e designs all collaterals associated with your company's identity. Please contact your Account Executive for more details.

How do you prefer my vector art files be finalized for submission?
Please convert all fonts to outlines.

What DPI do you print at?
We print 100dpi on all our products. Setting up your files exceeding 200 dpi is counter-productive.

Do you want my image files linked or embedded?
Please link all image files when working in page layout programs such as InDesign, Illustrator or QuarkXpress.

Will I receive a proof of my print prior to receiving my final product?
You will receive an email proof for every job submitted. This is part of our quality assurance program. If you are expecting a color corrected print out of your file please contact your Account Executive because extra charges may apply.

When setting up my documents for print what should I include on my disc or upload to your design department?
Please include a hardcopy of your layout (PDF files are acceptable alternatives) and any physical references for critical colors (product samples, fabric swatch, etc.).

What is a Pantone (PMS) Color? And why should I have one?
A Pantone (PMS) color is the short name for the Pantone Matching System. This is a system created by Pantone for matching colors across different printers from different countries. These colors are displayed on a color chart similar to paint chips from your hardware store. Each color is assigned a number such as (PMS 123C) and this helps to ensure that whomever is printing your artwork that your colors remain consistent form one press to the other. Your company should have a PMS value associated with all its corporate colors. This ensures continuity across all your corporate documents.

Can you match vinyl to my PMS colors?
Sadly enough, cut vinyl is only available in a small variety of colors. Please contact your Account Executive for samples in stock.

When setting up my documents are there any special things to consider when it comes to color?
Specify critical colors as Pantone Spot colors (NO CMYK BUILDS) from palettes available within the layout/drawing application (exception - Photoshop). Please label all layers as their PMS colors for print references.

Can I use Special Effects on my documents?
Do not use special effects in Illustrator or InDesign that requires the file to be flattened before printing. These include Transparent Layers, Drop Shadows, Beveled Edges, Glows, Etc. We recommend these effects be done in Photoshop.

I know layered files are much larger in size than non-layered files when working in Photoshop. Should I flatten my file when I provide them to your creative department?
Do not flatten your artwork if you have specific Pantone (PMS) colors called out. All other files (CS3 and later) should be flattened "PRESS QUALITY" pdf. If you are not sure how to save this format please contact our creative department and we can help you.

Can your company print a graphic that matches a previous graphic from a year ago or from another printer? Our output devices have a unique color space and produce colors that may not be reproducible on other devices, nor can we match exactly output supplied from other off-site devices. Even in house printers vary in color years later because of different colors purchased or different print Medias used. We do not guarantee any matching from previous jobs but we do everything possible to ensure a close approximation in color.

What Macintosh programs do you accept?
Quark Xpress 6.0 Macromedia Freehand 11
Adobe Acrobat 8 (PDF)
Adobe Photoshop CS3
Adobe Illustrator CS3
Adobe InDesign CS3

What PC programs do you accept?
Adobe Illustrator CS3
Adobe Photoshop CS3
Adobe InDesign CS3
Adobe Acrobat 8 (PDF) Macromedia Freehand 11
Note: QuarkXpress, InDesign, and Freehand files must be sent as .eps or .pdf files with fonts converted to outlines. Or you may send the native format, but we do require all fonts to be converted to outlines so no artwork shifts or font substitutions occur.