General Art Guidelines

ART BASICS: PensXpress utilizes state-of-the-art digital technology in its printing process. To avoid additional charges and potential delays, all art must be camera-ready, separated artwork (all camera-ready art is scanned) or output-ready digital files and should conform to the art specifications found below.

COPYRIGHTS: Customers warrant that all images supplied for reproduction, whether digital, conventional or otherwise, are unencumbered by copyright and other usage rights connected to the image(s) and agree to hold harmless and indemnify PensXpress for all claims and expenses for any actions in law that may result from the use of these images.

Digital Art Guidelines

Images: Always remember that submitted images are printed "as is." When professionals submit digital art, we assume the work is color corrected, the images are adjusted to your satisfaction, all text is correctly spelled, and that the original submitted art is correct.

Software: We accept files created with or convertible to the following Mac/PC software: QuarkXPress, Acrobat, Photoshop, Illustrator, CorelDraw, and Freehand.

Graphic File Formats: An editable version of all files, including linked and placed images, must be submitted. All graphics should be linked to - not embedded in - the layout document. Photoshop files should be submitted in EPS format. Illustrator and Freehand files should be in EPS format. See Software Guidelines for specific program information.

Vector Art: Any file created in Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, or Freehand must be saved in an .eps format with all fonts converted to curves or outlines.

Fonts: We recommend that all text be converted to curves/outlines by the originating program. This avoids the many problems associated with various font styles, formats and originators. While this will render text uneditable, it can be sized and manipulated like any other graphic element. If the text must remain editable or if the text cannot be converted to outlines, the screen and printer fonts must both be submitted with the job.

Digital Media: 3.5" floppy disk; 100Mb & 250Mb ZIP® disks, CD-ROM, DVD.

Email: We accept art submissions via email.

Software Guidelines

Photoshop: We use Photoshop to edit and correct all photographic images and complex illustrations. As with all submitted work, images will be sized and cropped to final size. Although Photoshop will allow you to convert selections into a clipping path, we prefer that you avoid this process because it usually results in a large number of control points. When a clipping path is needed, create it by using pen tools and establish the fewest number of control points possible. When saving a file with a clipping path, please set flatness to at least 3 pixels.

Illustrator, Freehand, Corel Draw: Make sure colors are defined as either spot or CMYK depending on the intended final print. Convert all text to curves/outlines whenever possible to avoid font problems. Do not embed fonts in Corel Draw. Avoid placing images in these programs if possible. "Nested" EPS and TIFF images may cause unusually large file sizes and may cause output problems and delays. If images must be placed in the illustration, make sure they are properly sized and cropped in the originating program prior to importation and include the original placed images with the job.


Helpful Hints To Assure Digital Files Work

• Use the recommended formats listed above. These formats assure that factories with limited digital art capabilities can use the digital art provided and that Newton can archive for use on subsequent orders.
• Microsoft Office programs such as PowerPoint, Word or Publisher are not considered true graphic programs.
  Avoid using low resolution jpg or bitmap files.
• Graphic Files originally created for Internet use cannot be used effectively for product decoration.

PensXpress Will Archive Your Digital Artwork at No Charge

Digital art in the recommended formats will be archived for continuous, future use at no cost.

This art will be available for repeat orders. Please provide us with the previous order number for reference. If there is more than one logo on file, please be specific on which logo to use.