Adobe Photoshop

Topics:

Using a Template in Photoshop
Setting Up Guidelines
Adding Your Artwork
Convert to CMYK Color Mode
Delete Template
Flatten Layers
Saving Your File

1. Using a Template in Photoshop

Open Template

Download Template for your desired product
Unzip or unstuff the template file
Open in Photoshop.
(New>Open)

Make sure that the resolution is set to 300 ppi (pixel per inch), the mode is set to CMYK Color. with 8 bit selected.

Does your artwork have bleeds?

PsPrint requires .125" bleeds on all four sides of your artwork (i.e., 4"x6" postcard image with bleeds would have dimensions of 4.25" x 6.25" in your artwork file.) If your image has a white border on all four sides, bleeds are recommended but not required. If your image is not white on all four sides, you MUST include bleeds in your files. More information about bleeds.

Does your artwork have borders?

The cutting process for printed materials has a mechanical tolerance of about .0625 or 1/16 of an inch. When using a border in your artwork, it is essential that your design use at least .25 or 1/4 of an inch of white space from your border to the cut line to maintain a symmetrical appearance. More information about borders.

2. Guidelines

Create guidelines:

Show rulers - (View>Rulers)
Click on the rulers and drag a guideline to the specified marks. This will help you
line up your text/images to our template guides.
Note the instructions included in the template

3. Adding Your Artwork

Add a new Layer

Create a new layer on top of the template layer for your artwork.

Add a new layer (Layer>New>Layer).

Adding an Image

Open your hi-res file (File>Open)
Check the resolution of your file and make sure it's set at 300 dpi (Image>Image Size).

What is Resolution?

For an image to print properly, the image must be at least 300 pixels per inch (PPI) at the final output size. DO NOT try to change from a low resolution to a higher one by increasing the DPI in your imaging program. More information about resolution.

Changing resolution the correct way.

What if my image is an EPS file ?

Rendering EPS Files

When opening EPS files in Photoshop, make sure that:

Resolution is set to 300 dpi
Mode is set to CMYK color
Anti-aliasing is turned ON

4. Color

Set Color Mode

All files must be CMYK. If your art was not created in or
converted to CMYK, do so now

(Image>Mode>CMYK Color)

What is CMYK color mode?

The color mode of submitted files must be CMYK. If your files are submitted using any other color standard, such as RGB or Pantone, they will be converted to CMYK. Conversion from one color standard to another may cause colors to shift. More information about CMYK color mode.

Does your artwork contain gradients?

Gradients are commonly used in printing and in most instances produce good results. Gradients can be represented in a file as a mathematical equation (Vector) or rendered by the application into a series of pixels (Raster). Whether created as rasters or vectors, gradients below 10% may not reproduce accurately. More information about gradients.

Does your artwork contain solid black?

When you want an area of solid black within a document, 100% black (K) will not result in a solid, saturated black. Instead, use Rich Black, as represented by C:50% / M:40% / Y:40% / K:100%.

5. Delete Template

Delete Layer

Delete Layer 1, which contains the original template

Do Not Delete Crop Marks

Delete Template but Not the Crop Marks

Some templates specify not to delete crop marks

Make sure you are on the template layer
Choose the marquee tool
Create a selection around the template not including the crop marks and delete

6. Flatten Layers

Flatten Layers

Flatten all Photoshop layers before saving artwork for submission.

We strongly suggest that you create a backup file before you flatten the layers.

From the Layer pallet, see left, or from the menu (Layer>Flatten Image)

7. Saving Your File

File Format

Save your file as one of the following .TIF, .JPG, .EPS or .PSD

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