Submit Artwork
We work with the top suppliers in the industry and pride ourselves on being able to print a corporate logo or graphic on any product you can imagine. However, what most people don’t realize is that designing graphics for imprint on a promotional product is different from designing for web or print use like in a newspaper or brochure. Most three-dimensional products can only be printed in 1-3 spot colors, although, new digital print technology has changed the industry and more suppliers are beginning to offer full-color printing capabilities.
The art requirements vary by product, imprint method and supplier.
To ensure your order is processed most efficiently please follow these general rules of thumb:
- Adobe Illustrator (AI or EPS) vector art files are preferred
- Convert type, paths or curves to outlines or include/attach the font file
- Include all placed graphics and images as separate links rather than embedding them
- E-mail your file(s) to art@cordingconcepts.com
If you are not able to send a file in these formats we can we can recreate the logo/art from a jpeg, bmp, tif, pdf or word file. If electronic artwork is not available please send a crisp, clear copy of your art (from letterhead, envelopes, brochures or other materials you may have available) and we will reproduce it in the necessary format. A nominal fee may be charged for art conversion and/or recreation based on the time involved. If a fee is required, you will be quoted an art price in advance for your approval.
Important note: Microsoft Office programs (Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, etc.) are not graphics programs and will not be recognized through art acceptance process.
Glossary of Industry Terms
Advertising specialty
Useful or interesting article or merchandise, usually carrying an imprinted advertising or promotional message, given with no obligation. Also known as a giveaway, incentive or promotional product.
Art proof
Artwork submitted for approval, usually a black and-white stat of the camera-ready art.
Blank merchandise
Merchandise that is purchased with no logo or imprint.
Camera-ready art
Any drawing, photos, illustration or lettering suitable for photographic reproduction.
CMYK
Colors defined using a combination of four colors cyan, magenta, yellow and black to produce millions of other colors; often referred to as four-color process.
Color proof
First or early printing of a finished color ad, combining impressions from each of the separate progressive color plates.
Color separation
Separation of multicolored original art by camera or laser-scan techniques to produce individual separated colors. There are four common separations: yellow, magenta, cyan and black.
Die charge
Charge by the supplier for creating a metal cast die from artwork supplied by the supplier.
Digital artwork
Artwork created using computer-assisted design software.
Digital color proof
Off-press color proof produced from digital data without the need for separation films.
Digitize
To transform graphical input data into digital form for computer processing; to transform graphical input data into digital form for computer processing
Drop-shipping
Individual packaging, address and delivery of a product to a specific recipient’s address.
Four-color process Printing process that creates color productions by overprinting screens that individually print reds,yellows, blues and blacks of variable specified intensities.
Less Than Minimum Charge
A fee that is incurred when less than the standard minimum quantity is ordered resulting in a fee for the time and effort of processing the small-run order.
Overruns/Underruns
Every effort is made to ship the exact quantity ordered, however, for imprinted merchandise most suppliers reserve the right to bill and ship a percentage (typically between 1% - 5%) over or under the quantity ordered. If it is imperative that the exact quantity be delivered a special request can be made and typically results in an additional “exact quantity order” charge.
Pantone Matching System (PMS)
Color scale used to precisely match colors for printing. Each hue has a coded number indicating instructions for mixing inks to achieve that hue.
Paper proof
Impression of type or artwork on paper so the correctness and quality of the material to be printed
can be checked. The least expensive is a regular black and white faxed paper proof. The most
expensive is an actual physical preproduction sample of the product itself.
Pre-production sample
A product sample with the actual logo to be imprinted on all units. After an order has been placed for an item, one sample is produced and shipped to the client for inspection and final approval before all items are produced. A pre-production sample is recommended for large volume or higher dollar value orders.
Press Proof
Proof of a color subject made on printing press in advance of the production run.
Raster graphics
Artwork and images that are defined by a checkerboard pattern, similar to viewing mosaic tiles. Raster images are limited by the number of pixels and cannot be enlarged without producing noticeably jagged, stair-stepped edges. They are produced by digital cameras, scanners, and can also be created by programs like Adobe PhotoShop and CorelPHOTO-PAINT (among others).
Resolution
The measurement of quality (pixel per inch in file or dots per inch in output). Low-resolution images may be as low as 72 dpi (or less). High-resolution images may be as high as 600 dpi (or more).
RGB
Colors defined as a combination of three colors red, green and blue to produce millions of other colors.
Run charge
When more than one color is imprinted on an item most suppliers will charge an additional small fee per piece for each additional color imprint.
Rush charge
A fee charged by suppliers when a special request is made to complete an order in less than the standard production timeframe.
Screen charge
Charge by suppliers for creating a silkscreen of the artwork used for imprinting products. Typically suppliers charge one screen charge per color, per location on the item.
Set-up charge
Special charges added to certain products to cover the cost of preparing the type for the press and the actual printing.
Spec sample
A product sample with the actual logo to be imprinted on all units. It is typically produced with the expectation that the prospect will order the item.
Spot Color
Solid, generally flat fields of color. Used for silk screening where a printer can lay down several solid areas of color to produce multi-colored artwork; also used to identify additional colors in a four-color process file or print job.
Vector graphics
Vector graphics use computer algorithms to describe shapes, lines, animation, etc. The technology of vector graphics is growing in popularity because the images are scalable and smaller in file size, a plus for online viewing and downloading. Vector graphics were developed in response to the limitations of raster-based graphics (popularly known as GIF and JPEG) because raster graphics use pixel-by-pixel definitions.
Virtual sample
A less expensive alternative to a spec sample. The electronic sample/mockup is created to show how the product will look in a particular color with a particular logo, design or typeset.
