a. In InDesign, go to Edit > Color Settings b. In the Color Settings window, select “Load” and choose “PCUSA-load into color settings.csf” Click Save. c. In the zip folder, double click PrintingCenterUSA.joboptions. Click “replace” if a caution window comes up. Click exit.
Note: To learn how to load PrintingCenterUSA’s PDF Preset for file saving, click here.
2. File > New > Document
Once you have opened InDesign, go to the top menu to select File > New > Document. This will prompt a “New Document” window to open where you will define your document settings.
3. Name
First, you should always name your project in the name field.
4. Size
Input the size of your document (the final trim size) in inches.
5. Pages
Input the number of pages for your project. Click here to learn more about counting your pages correctly.
Note: If creating a booklet, check the “Facing Pages” box.
6. Margins (Safety Line)
Expand the Margins section in the Document Setup window, and set them to 0.125 in. on each side (top, bottom, left, right) of your document. This will set up safety lines within your document.
7. Bleeds
Expand the Bleed and Slug section in the Document Setup window, and set the bleeds to 0.125 in. on each side (top, bottom, left, right) of your document. Once you are done with steps 2-7, click Create.
After clicking “Create,” your document with bleeds and your safety line set up will appear.
Now you’re ready to begin designing your product for print in InDesign!
Please refer to our File Saving Section for a tutorial on saving your project once you are done.
a. In Illustrator, go to Edit > Color Settings b. In the Color Settings window, select “Load” and choose “PCUSA-load into color settings.csf” Click Save. c. In the zip folder, double click PrintingCenterUSA.joboptions. Click “replace” if a caution window comes up. Click exit.
Note: To learn how to load PrintingCenterUSA’s PDF Preset for file saving, click here.
2. File > New
Once you have opened Illustrator, go to the top menu to select File > New. This will prompt a “New Document” window to open where you will define your document settings.
3. Name
First, you should always name your project in the name field.
4. Size
Input the size of your document (the final trim size) in inches.
5. Pages (Artboards)
Input the number of pages (artboards) for your project. Note: Illustrator will begin to run slowly if you end up with too many pages on your artboard.
6. Bleeds
Set your bleeds to 0.125 in. on each side (top, bottom, left, right) of your document.
7. Color Mode
Set your color mode to CMYK. This is Illustrator’s default, but it doesn’t hurt to double check. When finished with steps 2-7, click “Create.”
8. Raster Effects
Set your raster effects to High (300 ppi) so your designs will not save pixelated later.
After completing steps 3-8, click “Create.” Your new document will open.
9. Safety Line
Now you are almost ready to design! To ensure that you are designing with your bleed, trim line, and safety line in mind, it is important to set guides for yourself.
a. Go to View > Rulers > Show Rulers to turn on your rulers. b. Click + Drag from the rulers to create a safety line .125 in. away from each edge of your document. c. To make these safety lines exact, you can manually edit the numbers at the top of your Illustrator page.
After completing step 9, your document will look like this:
Now you’re ready to begin designing your product for print!
Please refer to our File Saving section for a tutorial on saving your project once you are finished.
At PrintingCenterUSA, we want your printing experience to be fast, easy and affordable. An important step in this process is for you to submit your art files as Print-Ready PDFs. To help you achieve this, we provide as much information about file preparation as possible. The price and time estimates provided to you may be affected if time must be spent correcting file errors. The best way to avoid this is to start the project off on the right foot by ensuring the design file is set up correctly from the very beginning. The main aspects that must be checked and prepared for are:
Bleeds
To prevent your printed product from having unsightly white lines around the border, you must set your document up with bleeds. Bleed refers to an extra 1/8″ of image that extends beyond the trim area of your printing piece. The project is printed on an oversized sheet that is cut down to size with the appearance that the image is “bleeding” off the edge of the paper.
It is best practice to set up your bleeds at the very beginning of your project so you don’t have to adjust at the end.
A few terms you must understand along with bleed are trim line, safety, and borders. Please refer to the graphic below for further explanation.
Resolution
PrintingCenterUSA recommends that the file and/or image resolution should be set at 300 dpi to ensure that the final document is not pixelated (fuzzy) when printed. However, some customers find 180 dpi (or better) to be an acceptable resolution. You must closely review the resolution during the proofing process to determine if there are any issues.
Enlarging an image will lower the resolution while reducing an image will increase the resolution. Enlarging an image in a layout is NOT recommended. Images that are less than 300 dpi could reproduce poorly looking fuzzy or pixelated.
Images from the internet are not recommended, as most images are only 72 dpi.
An unfavorable image cannot be resaved as a different type of file. For example, you cannot place a gif file in Photoshop and resave it as an EPS file. This does not change the compatibility of the file. If you have to use low-resolution images we will print only after you consent to the quality.
Page Count
We require that any booklet files be sent as single pages, not spreads. In the files, page 1 should be the front cover and the last page should be the back cover (see below).
Example for an 8 Page Document:
In the image below, Page 1 is the Front Cover
The Inside Front Cover is Page 2
The last page is the Back Cover, Page 8.
PrintingCenterUSA’s prepress department will personally arrange the single pages from your PDF onto front and back sheets. For this reason, we do not accept spreads.
Size
To ensure price quote and design accuracy, it is crucial that the size of the order matches the size of the PDF. The PDF (saved with bleed) should be .25 inches larger for both the length and width than your desired product size. For example, if you are ordering an 8.5” x 11” booklet, the dimensions of your PDF document (saved with bleed) should be 8.75” x 11.25”. For more information on size, click here.
Booklets, Books, Magazines, Catalogs, Booklet Brochures, Programs, and other Multi-Page Products:
Calendars
Greeting Cards
Brochures and Flyers:
Color Quality
Every product should be designed in the CMYK color mode whenever possible. CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Key (Black). If the product is not saved in CMYK, PrintingCenterUSA will automatically convert the design from RGB (red, green and blue; this is what you see on your monitor) to CMYK. For more information about setting up your document in CMYK, click here.
When ordering on PrintingCenterUSA’s Pricing Tool, you will be asked to select ink options (inside ink and cover ink for multi-page products). These options will appear as:
4/4 Full Color Both Sides
4/1 Full Color Front / Black Back
4/0 Full Color Front / Empty Back or
1/1 Black Front / Black Back
For example, a Postcard may have a Full Color Front (4) with only Black (1) on the back. The appropriate ink selection for this postcard would be 4/1 Full Color Front / Black Back.
Color Printing is also known as 4-color printing, full color printing, process printing, and CMYK printing. Color involves the separation of all colors into 4 different color values (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black).
File Saving
PrintingCenterUSA requires that you submit your art as a Print-Ready PDF. Click here to download and install our PrintingCenterUSA PDF Preset (for Adobe programs only). You will be downloading a .zip folder. Double click the file to unzip the folder.
Note: Do not reduce the size of your PDFs. Big file sizes are OK. We need the highest resolution to ensure that your files get printed with the best quality.
Folds, Creases, Die Cutting
PrintingCenterUSA provides free downloadable templates for our products. To ensure you appropriately plan for folds, creases, and die cutting, it is best that you utilize this resource.
Our folding products are professionally creased, making an even fold that doesn’t crack the ink at the edges.
Greeting Card Folds (Landscape & Portrait):
Brochure Folds:
Die Cut Products: PrintingCenterUSA offers Rip Cards and Rip Door Hangers, which are a perforated die cut. We also offer die cut Presentation Folders and Envelopes. Click your product for free downloadable templates that include the fold lines and die cut lines for reference during design.
Once you are logged in to your PrintingCenterUSA account, go to your desired product page and fill out the pricing tool on the right.
Be sure to drop down the “Estimate Shipping” tab towards above the “Order and Upload Files” button on the pricing tool to enter your zip code and select your shipping option. The price in the estimating tool is based on zip code only. In final checkout, the full address is used and this may cause your shipping cost to change.
Click “Order and Upload Files” to continue.
2. Upload Your Art Files
Upload your Print-Ready PDF. Click Continue.
If you designed your project on PrintingCenterUSA’s online design tool, then we already have your files. Click Continue.
If you place your order without uploading your files and need to upload your files later, you can do so by logging into your PrintingCenterUSA account. Navigate to the orders section, select the order number, then click “Upload File(s)” on the left or the “CLICK HERE” button within the “What’s Next?” area.
3. Review Your Cart
Review your cart. This is the first place you have the opportunity to double check your product specifications, so review closely. If you have notes on your order, leave them in the “Job Notes/Comments” section.
From here you can either continue shopping to add more products, or proceed to checkout.
4. Select Your Shipping Address
Select your shipping address. Save & Continue.
If you do not see your address, click “+Add New Shipping Address.” Fill out your information, then click Save & Continue.
5. Review Your Order
Review your order specifications again and confirm your shipping type. Save & Continue.
If you notice order specifications that need to be changed, click “Edit Product Options” underneath the listed specs to adjust your order. Any changes made to your order specifications will affect your order total. Click “Save” to continue.
Note: If you change your shipping type from your original estimate on the pricing tool in Step 1, then your price will change. Also, price in the estimating tool is based on zip code only. In final checkout, the full address is used and this may cause your shipping cost to change.
6. Select Payment Type & Place Order
Select your payment option. Click “Payment | Place Order.” This will prompt a small payment window to open where you will securely enter your information.
Click “Place Order” to finish with the ordering process.
If you are ordering using Paypal, you will immediately be redirected to login and process the payment through Paypal. Once payment is complete, click “Payment | Place Order”
Once your order has been placed, you will receive a confirmation email with your order specifications, an estimated in-hand date, and the name of your assigned Customer Service Representative. If you requested an Electronic – PDF proof, you will receive it within 24 hours of placing your order. If you ordered a Hard Copy Proof, your proof will be shipped within 24 hours of placing your order (arrival date depends on your selected shipping date). Your project will not begin production until after proof approval. Delaying proof approval will also delay your in-hand date.
Once you are logged in to your PrintingCenterUSA account, go to your desired product page and fill out the pricing tool on the right.
Be sure to drop down the “Estimate Shipping” tab towards above the “Order and Upload Files” button on the pricing tool to enter your zip code and select your shipping option. The price in the estimating tool is based on zip code only. In final checkout, the full address is used and this may cause your shipping cost to change.
Click “Email & Save Quote” to continue.
2. Name Your Quote
3. Your Quote is Saved to Your Account
Your quote is now saved to your account where you can proceed to checkout any time you’re ready. The quote will also be emailed to you.
Please note that all quotes will expire in 30 days from the date the quote was made. Promo codes will not be saved with your quote.
Simply select “Hardcopy (Overnight)” or “Hardcopy (2nd Day Air)” in the Proof drop down of the Pricing Tool to request your Proof type.
2. Upload Art Files
Upload your Art Files during the checkout process (1st image below) or in your My Account > Orders area (2nd image below). Your proof will be shipped within 24 business hours after we receive your Art Files. Please refer to the Uploading section to learn more about Uploading files.
3. Review Proof
You will receive an email notifying you of your Hard Copy Proof shipment. This email will contain your shipping details, tracking number, CSR contact information, next steps, etc.
4. Approve or Reject your Proof
Login to your My Account area on the PrintingCenterUSA website. Click the “Orders” tab, select your order, and you will see your order details. This is where you approve or reject your proof. If you approve your proof, then your turnaround time will begin. If you reject your proof, you must then upload new art files. Your turnaround time and in-hand date will be delayed and additional reprocessing fees will be applied.
Simply select “Electronic – PDF” in the Proof drop down of the Pricing Tool to request your Proof type.
2. Upload Art Files
Upload your Art Files during the checkout process (1st image below) or in your My Account > Orders area (2nd image below). You will receive a proof within 24 business hours after we receive your Art Files. Please refer to the Uploading section to learn more about Uploading files.
3. Download and Review Proof
You will receive an email (1st image below) notifying you of your proof. There is a link in that email that will take you to the My Account area where you can download your PDF to review (2nd image below). You can also get to the My Account area to view your proof by logging in to your PrintingCenterUSA account by visiting the website.
4. Approve or Reject your Proof
After reviewing your proof, you must approve or reject it. Login to your My Account (same place you download your PDF from) to Approve or Reject. If you approve your proof, then your turnaround time will begin. If you reject your proof, you must then upload new art files. Your turnaround time and in-hand date will be delayed and additional reprocessing fees will be applied.
If you decided to upload your files later during the ordering process, then you will have to upload your files in your My Account area.
1. Navigate to your Orders
Login to your Account and click the “Orders” tab.
2. Upload File(s)
After selecting the appropriate order number, click the “Upload Files” button on the left or “Click here” on the right. You will receive a confirmation email.
After filling out your project information on the PrintingCenterUSA.com pricing tool, click “Order and Upload Files.”
2. Upload Files
In the Upload Files section, you will have two options. You can either:
a. Browse Files from Computer or b. Drag to Upload c. If your files have been uploaded successfully, then a thumbnail image (or program icon) and the name of your file will populate.
Keep in mind that your upload time will depend on your internet speed and file size. Do not leave the page until after the upload is complete. If there was an error in the uploading process, there will be a pop up alerting you of the error.
Note: File uploads tend to have fewer problems when done in a Google Chrome browser.
If you need help with the uploading process or resolving an uploading error, feel free to call us at 800-995-1555.
