AmeriList Printing Solutions uses our innovative print and marketing solutions to grow your business. We do this by providing the highest-quality printing and fulfillment products and services to improve your customer acquisition and communications programs.
We strive to be your print partner – not just your vendor. That’s why we invest in our infrastructure to continually deliver the best print technology, solutions, and customer service to you.
To help ensure that your marketing is as effective and vibrant as possible, it's important to follow specific guidelines when setting up your print files. Feel free to browse our portfolio or review the specifications outlined below to ensure the best possible results for your next print job.
We prefer that creative files be produced in CMYK to ensure color accuracy. If your print file is uploaded in RGB or PMS colors, they will be converted to CMYK. This can cause some shift in the color of the finished product.
To ensure accuracy, we ask that your files be built to the final finished /trim size including bleeds. For example, a file should be 0.25" larger than the finished product size that you are requesting (i.e., 4 x 6 postcard = a 4.25 x 6.25 graphic file). We recommend that all images are at least 300 DPI. Submitting files with a lower resolution than 300 DPI can sacrifice image quality, making it pixelated and blurry.
Do not place any critical images or text beyond the safety zone, which is at least 1/8" from the final trim size, to avoid cutting it off when the finished piece is trimmed.
Please make sure you are not using a font smaller than 7 pt. If working out of vector-based software such as Illustrator, InDesign, or Freehand, all text must be converted to outlines before generating the final PDF file. If working out of Photoshop, simply flatten the image. When using MS Publisher for design and layout, it is important to ensure that photos, graphics, and fonts are embedded into the file. Make sure you have thoroughly proofread your work for spelling and grammar.
If you are printing a multi-page document such as booklet or catalog, please use a multi-page document and submit your graphic files showing pages in sequence order. For example, page 1 of your PDF should be the outside front cover. Page 2 should be the inside front cover, and the last page would be the outside back cover. Your multi-page PDF should have a page count in multiples of 4, and please account for bleeds.
If your graphic files feature a border, the border must be a minimum 1/8" (0.125") from all surrounding edges. If you leave less than 1/8" (0.125"), your finished product may result in unequal borders. This could happen in the final cutting process when some "draw" or "slippage" may occur. Ideally, create the border with 1/4" (0.25") from all surrounding edges.
The front and back sides of your graphic files should have the same orientation. If the front is in the portrait format and the back is in the landscape format, one page will need to be rotated 90°.
*When submitting files for folded products, please ensure that the front cover panel is properly aligned with the inside cover panel.
**Please note that AmeriList Printing is not responsible for any errors that appear on the final set of proofs. This includes, but is not limited to, typographical errors or design errors with outside artwork.
.AI – Adobe Illustrator: Convert all fonts to outlines and embed any linked graphics.
.INDD – Adobe InDesign: Converting fonts to outlines is recommended if you are not using True Type.
.JPG or .Jpeg – Photographic images: Set your camera to the highest resolution if you are using your own photos. Note that most .JPEG images downloaded from the web are low quality and unsuitable for printing fonts (.TTF). Package your files to include your fonts and links. Compress the packaged folder (in a .zip or .sit format) before sending.
.PSD – Adobe Photoshop: Flatten your layers before submitting your files.
.TIF or .TIFF – This graphic file format will retain the highest possible image quality.
Let us help you make the most of your marketing budget, call today with your creative and print design challenges: 1.800.457.2899
