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How should I prepare my artwork file for a DIY card?

Paper Culture
Updated

If you have a design you've created and would like to ensure it is prepared for print on our DIY cards, use the following guidelines concerning bleed, resolution and file type. This may mean you have to update your original file before your proof can be updated.

  1. Your design file dimensions should account for an additional 1/8" of bleed that includes background color, image, and/or artwork that is intended to be full-bleed.
  2. All text needs to be converted to shapes/vectors or flattened within the exported file.
  3. All images or imported artwork should be high-resolution, original copies that are cropped within the design program you are using to create your file.
  4. Your design colors should be converted to CMYK if possible.
  5. Accepted file types within personalization: JPG/JPEG, or PNG.
    • Additional accepted file types that need to be sent to our support team: PDF, AI, PSD, EPS, SVG.

When you're ready to send us your file or if you need any assistance with these steps, please contact our support team.

 

 

File Dimensions

As explained in "What does the designer mean by 'bleed'?", all of our designs require an additional 1/8" beyond the final card size.

  • For example: if you have designed for the final card size of 6" x 4.3", your final design size should be 6.25" x 4.55".
    • The additional space beyond the cutline should be filled with background color, image, and/or artwork that is intended to be full-bleed.

Text

If your file contains text, all text boxes should be outlined. This simply means turning your text into shapes/vectors to ensure all fonts used are available within your file and not converted to a more plain, default font upon upload.

  • In programs like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, this is something that can be done within the program before exporting.
    • Illustrator: 
      • Select all text
      • Click Type in the menu bar
      • Click Create Outlines
    • Photoshop:
      • Select all text layers
      • Click Type in the menu bar
      • Click Convert to Shape
  • For online editors (like Canva), some may not have the ability to change text to an outline. However, you should have the ability to "flatten" your PDF when you go to export.

Images/Artwork

All images or artwork within your design should be high resolution and the original copies. If you wish to crop your images/artwork to be a certain shape, please use the tools within the program to crop within the design. If you crop outside of your design, it might lose quality.

  • In programs like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, this is something that can be done with the use of clipping masks.
    • Illustrator:
      • Place your image/artwork within the artboard
      • Place a shape on top of your image with no fill and only a stroke/outline
      • Select both the image/artwork and the shape
      • Click Object in the menu bar
      • Hover over Clipping Mask
      • Click Make
    • Photoshop:
      • Place your image/artwork within the artboard
      • Place a shape below your image/artwork layer with no fill and only a stroke/outline
      • Select just the image/artwork layer
      • Click Layer in the menu bar
      • Click Create Clipping Mask
  • For online editors (like Canva), you are typically able to double click an imported image/artwork and adjust the "frame" of the image.
    • Canva:
      • Place your image/artwork within the artboard
      • Double click the edge of your image/artwork and you will see a box appear that has circles on the corner and rounded rectangles on the sides
      • Drag the box until it is the desired size/cropping
      • Click out of the image/artwork to confirm changes

Colors

Within the color space, CMYK and RGB are typically used when creating designs. Files for print are CMYK while anything digital is typically RGB.

We accept any of the two, but all files sent to print will be converted to CMYK which may cause some shades of color to appear less vibrant.

Regarding your file for print, feel free to convert to CMYK if possible within the design program you are using.

  • In programs like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, this is something that can be done before exporting your file.
    • Illustrator:
      • With your file open, click File in the menu bar
      • Hover over Document Color Mode
      • Click CMYK Color if it's not already checked
    • Photoshop:
      • Select all layers within your file
      • Click Image in the menu bar
      • Hover over Mode
      • Click CMYK Color if it's not already checked
    • For online editors (like Canva), you are typically only able to convert if you have a paid account.

File Type

For your final exported file, a flattened, high-resolution PDF is the preferred file type in order to preserve optimum print quality. However, we do also accept the following file types as well:

  • Can be uploaded directly in personalization:
    • JPG/JPEG
    • PNG
  • Needs to be uploaded by our Support Team on your behalf:
    • AI (Adobe Illustrator)
    • PSD (Adobe Photoshop)
    • EPS
    • SVG

For steps on how to send us your non-image file, please visit "How do I upload my PDF to the DIY card I'm personalizing?"

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