Color Gamut
All files for full-color printing must be created and saved in CMYK format. If a file is created in RGB, when converted to CMYK for printing, there may be large and unexpected color shifts.

Spot Colors
Two color printing requires that the art be set up as Spot Colors. This option is available in most page layout programs. If you submit an order for two-color printing with full-color graphics, additional charges will apply to correct the files for printing. You will be contacted in advance for approval.

Color Matching
Budget Printing cannot be responsible for matching color to the creator's computer screen or to a color laser/inkjet print. If exact color is required, we will output a matchpoint for your approval prior to print production. These are used in the pressroom and can be very closely matched to the press. Matchprints are not included in our published prices.

Unlike JPEGs, GIFs and BMP images, vector graphics are not made up of a grid of pixels. Instead, vector graphics are comprised of paths, which are defined by a start and end point, along with other points, curves, and angles along the way. A path can be a line, a square, a triangle, or a curvy shape. These paths can be used to create simple drawings or complex diagrams. Paths are even used to define the characters of specific typefaces. Because vector-based images are not made up of a specific number of dots, they can be scaled to a larger size and not lose any image quality. If you blow up a raster graphic, it will look blocky, or "pixelated." When you blow up a vector graphic, the edges of each object within the graphics stay smooth and clean. This makes vector graphics ideal for logos, which can be small enough to appear on a business card but can also be scaled to fill a billboard. Common types of vector graphics include Adobe Illustrator, Macromedia Freehand, and EPS files. Many Flash animations also use vector graphics, since they scale better and typically take up less space than bitmap images. File extensions: .AI, .EPS, .SVG, .DRW

File Size
All files submitted for printing must be at least 300 dpi at 100% of the actual size used; 150 dpi at 100% is acceptable for wide format poster or banner printing. Images less than 300 dpi can be used, but the quality will not be as good.

Bleeds and Margins
A bleed is any art that extends beyond the cut edge of the sheet. All art should be set with a minimum of 1/8th inside margin from the outside edge of the sheet. All art that bleeds should extend 1/8" beyond the actual size of the printed sheet. You can find common templates under our templates page.

File Format
We accept almost all file types for both PC and MAC platforms, including files created in just about any application program. We are both a Microsoft Publisher and Adobe Solution Provider. If you are not sure about how to properly prepare a file, get in touch with us - we're happy to help.

Fonts
Due to the thousands of typeface fonts on the market today, you must convert all fonts to outlines, or furnish copies of all unique or custom fonts that were used in your document. You may also embed your fonts in any .pdf files but if none of the preceding are done, font substitution will occur. We do not match fonts.

Images
All placed or linked images must be embedded or included separately.

Acrobat PDF Files
This is our preferred file type. However, there are several methods for creating a PDF file for high-resolution printing. We will be happy to assist you in setting up a PDF workflow if you would like to get in touch with us.