Artwork Questions

Logo Requirements

Does it cost extra to print a logo?

Although this is a simple question, this answer is not so evident.

Customized products: Adding a logo in the ink color choice available does not cost extra. However, if you want to order envelopes that only come in black ink and your logo is red and black, we should provide you with a quote on Your Own Design 2 ink color envelopes.
Products with your own design: Since the price varies depending on the ink color(s) used, the logo will cost extra if it is in color.
Full color products: Since the price includes any and all colors, the logo will not cost extra.

What file formats do you accept for logos?

We accept files for logos in the following formats: jpeg, gif, tiff, bmp, pdf, psd, ai, png, qxd, pmd, and cdr.

All other files will need to be submitted as detailed below. Any other file submitted can be reviewed but will result in the order being delayed.

Software	File Extension	Instructions
Unknown	.gif, .jpeg, .tiff, .bmp	Only accepted for logos!
Adobe Freehand	.fh	Outline fonts, save file as EPS or send PDF
Adobe InDesign	.indd	Save file as EPS or send PDF
Adobe Illustrator	.ai	Outline fonts, save file as EPS or send PDF
Adobe PageMaker	.pmd	Save file as EPS or send PDF
Adobe PDF	.pdf	As long as the quality is 300 dpi or more
Adobe Photoshop	.psd	Save file as EPS or send PDF
CorelDraw	.cdr	Outline fonts
Quark Xpress	.qxd	Save file as EPS or send PDF
Mailed Copy	/	Original must be in optimal condition. Scan fees apply.

Artwork files accepted

We accept files for logos in the following formats: jpeg, gif, tiff, bmp, pdf, psd, ai, png, qxd, pmd, and cdr.

All other artwork files will need to be submitted as detailed below. Any other file will be submitted for review, which will result in the order being delayed. If the customer does not have access to a graphic designer, we can create the artwork, free or charge on projects up to 3 ink colors, based on a Word, Excel or even a fax or drawn document.

Software	File Extension	Instructions
Unknown	.gif, .jpeg, .tiff, .bmp	Only accepted for logos!
Adobe Freehand	.fh	Outline fonts, save file as EPS or send PDF
Adobe InDesign	.indd	Save file as EPS or send PDF
Adobe Illustrator	.ai	Outline fonts, save file as EPS or send PDF
Adobe PageMaker	.pmd	Save file as EPS or send PDF
Adobe PDF	>.pdf	As long as the quality is 300 dpi or more
Adobe Photoshop	.psd	Save file as EPS or send PDF
CorelDraw	.cdr	Outline fonts
Quark Xpress	.qxd	Save file as EPS or send PDF
Mailed Copy	/	Original must be in optimal condition. Scan fees apply.
Microsoft Excel	.xls	Only accompanied by fax or PDF
Microsoft Publisher	.pub	Use Pack & Go, no cliparts or WordArt allowed
Microsoft Word	.doc	Embed fonts, no cliparts or WordArt allowed

Artwork and/or images used must always be at 300 dpi (dots per inch) in resolution or the print will be blurry and/or pixelated.

Even though an image may print fine on an office, presses are more accurate and will show a pixelation if the resolution of the file is too low.

File Resolution

To check a file's resolution, open it with one of the software below and follow the instructions given for that software.

All logos and files for printing with your own design should be at 300 dpi (for projects up to 3 ink colors) or 1200 dpi (for full color projects). If you see that your file is at 72 dpi, that means it is intended for the web and not for printing materials. Please do NOT use or save files from the web as your printed images, as their resolution will most likely be 72 dpi, which is too low for professional printing.

Software	Files Supported	Instructions
MS Paint	Will open .gif, .jpeg, .tiff, .bmp, .png	Click Properties
Adobe InDesign	Will open .indd, .pmd, .xqx	Click Image > Window > Info
Adobe Illustrator	Will open gif, .jpeg, .tiff, .bmp, .png, .ai, .eps, .cdr, .psd	All imported images should be at 300 dpi. Click on each image > Window > Document Info
Adobe Photoshop	Will open .gif, .jpeg, .tiff, .bmp, .png, .psd, .pdf	Click Image > Image Size

Changing a file resolution

Although we DO NOT recommend this and would rather have you start over (scan, draw or import), in some rare cases, the resolution of an image can be changed. In such case, the image must be larger than the intended output. For instance, if you would like the final image to be 1 inch wide and you start with an image that is 4 inches wide, you will be able to reduce the file size (and thus increase the resolution) without affecting its quality. To change a file's resolution, open it with one of the software below and follow the instructions given for that software.

Software	Files Supported	Instructions
Adobe Fireworks	Works with .gif, .jpeg, .tiff, .bmp, .png, .ai, .psd	Click Modify > Canvas > Image Size > Verify that image size is larger than desired output > Make sure "Constrain Proportions" is checked > Change resolution to 300 pixels/inch
Adobe Photoshop	Will open .gif, .jpeg, .tiff, .bmp, .png, .psd, .pdf	Click Image > Image Size > Verify that image size is larger than desired output > Make sure "Constrain Proportions" is checked > Change resolution to 300 pixels/inch

Sending Your Artwork

There are 2 reasons to send us artwork:

You placed an order with us and could not upload it
You need a quote for a custom project

In both cases, you can email your file(s) to artwork@smartresolution.com

In the case of an order, please mention your order number in the subject field of your email.

Font Considerations

Due to the enormous amount of fonts available on the market today, we may not always have the font the customer would like on our system.

Whether they designed the artwork on a Mac or PC, Postscript fonts and True Type fonts will work fine.

Sending fonts

Mac Fonts: Each font has a suitcase which is located in the System folder. This suitcase holds all the font information we will need to process the order. Every font used must be included with the artwork. We will need both printer and screen fonts, in all styles (regular, bold, italic, bold italic and condensed). DO NOT include the entire font library. The fonts used to process an order are removed from our system upon completion of the job.

PC Fonts: Fonts are located either under Windows/Fonts or in Control Panel. Search for the fonts used to design the file and temporarily paste them on the desktop. We need both printer and screen fonts, in all styles (regular, bold, italic, bold italic and condensed). DO NOT include the entire font library. The fonts used to process an order are removed from our system upon completion of the job.

If files are under 2MB, they can be uploaded during checkout or emailed to artwork@smartresolution.com.

To reduce the file size, customers may compress their files using WinZip or Stuffit.

If the files are over 10MB, they can be sent on a CD to the following address:

Smart Resolution
PO Box 4668
PMB 83245

New York, NY 10163-4668

Please keep in mind that this will delay an order.

Instructions per software

Software	File Extension	Instructions
Adobe Freehand	.fh	Text -> Convert to Path
Adobe Fireworks	.png	Edit -> Select All -> Modify -> Flatten Selection
Adobe Illustrator	.ai	Select All -> Type -> Create Outlines
CorelDraw	.cdr	Convert all Text to Curves
Microsoft Publisher	.pub	File -> Pack & Go for Commercial Printer
Microsoft Word	.doc	Tools -> Options –> Save Tab -> Embed True Type Fonts

Considerations for Quark and PageMaker users

When working in Quark or PageMaker, tell customers not to use the style palette to alter the appearance of the fonts. If they want bold or italic fonts, they should use the actual fonts. Tell them not to use the Shadow or Outline features as they will not work with our printing process.

Fonts might print fine on a desktop printer but not when sent to an image setter. We will not accept responsibility for output errors due to the use of the style palette.

Special considerations for large black ink coverage

When using large areas of black ink coverage in a file, it is always best to create a "Built Black" of 75% Cyan, 50% Magenta, 50% Yellow and 100% Black. Customers should not use rich black in their fonts. Any type using this color will be blurry.

Some software require to send fonts separately. Please see software requirements for more information.

Graphic Design Options

Does Smart Resolution offer graphic design?

We do, indeed.

We offer FREE graphic design for orders printed up to 3 ink colors. This also includes the creation of custom areas for customized products but most often, the creation of a product made from scratch, like a business invoice or laser check.

Full color products offer graphic design services at a cost. A quote may be provided upon request.