Preparing Files

We offer several different sizes for our business cards and strongly suggest using an application such as Adobe Illustrator or Adobe InDesign to build your files. Many of our customers also use Adobe Photoshop which is also a good program to use, though you have to make a few adjustments to properly set up your file.

If using Illustrator or InDesign

File should be built to the trim size and bleed should be added in through the programs bleed settings (Adobe Illustrator & InDesign have these settings). .

Also, if files are created in Illustrator or InDesign, it is always helpful to convert fonts to outlines – prior to saving as PDF/X1a – just in case there are any font issues (just make sure you save-as your document first, just in case you want to make future typography edits later on).

If Building in Adobe Photoshop

If you are creating your file in Adobe Photoshop, then you need to factor in the bleed as part of the Document size (i.e.  for a 2.25″ x 2.25″ business card – the photoshop file would need to be 2.5″ x 2.5″, with the understanding that we will trim the cards to 2.25″ x 2.25″ – so we suggest that you avoid putting any important artwork close to the edges (just keep it as the background graphic). Please follow these instructions when creating New Photoshop Document (see attached .png file for reference):

– Width: 2.5 Inches, Height: 2.5 Inches

     (this accommodates for .125″ bleed all around – the card will be trimmed to 2.25″ x 2.25″)

– Resolution: 600dpi (this will create a large file, but will help keep the typography at a high-resolution).

– Color Mode should be set to CMYK / 8bit

– When file complete:  SAVE AS / PHOTOSHOP PDF / select “PDF/X1a:2001” –

    (this will send us a print-ready file)

What is Bleed?

Business cards are printed on larger sheets of paper and then cut down to the final size. When the larger sheets run through the printing press, they move around a bit in all directions. We are talking millimeters of movement, though this movement does cause the artwork on each card to shift ever-so-slightly. After the cards are printed, they then get trimmed out and when the paper goes through the cutter, again there are millimeters of movement. Because of all this ‘movement’ printers require “Bleed” to help eliminate the possibility of getting a card with tiny slivers of white on the edges – as a result of this movement.

In order to properly print graphics that extend to the edges of a card – we need the artwork to include .125″ bleed – extended beyond the edges. If you are working in Adobe Illustrator or InDesign you can create bleed settings directly in the Document Setup.