Download a Printable pdf of
Graphic Guidelines
SUBMITTING YOUR ART
Artwork can be sent via: E-mail, FTP or disk (3.5 floppy, CD-ROM, DVD, or 100MB Zip). E-mail is preferred if your file is smaller than 5 MB. We cannot accept large files via e-mail, if your files is larger than 5 MB, please send via disk or FTP.
IMPORTANT:Quote requests, questions, and any general correspondence should be e-mailed to:
info@sdmod.com
When sending art via E-mail:
- E-mail your assigned sales or customer service representative and carbon copy the Art Department (sdgrafx@sdmod.com).
- Your Company Name and Purchase Order Number MUST appear in the e-mail subject line exactly as it appears on faxed your faxed Purchase Order. This is necessary to ensure that your art will be correctly matched to your PO. Art sent without a PO or directly to the Art Department will not be considered received.
- Faxed PO must indicate that art will be e-mailed
- Faxed PO must include a copy of e-mailed art layout for verification
- All file names should include the file extension (Example: .ai or .eps)
- Please clearly indicate if you are sending REVISED art
When sending art on Disk:
- Send to: Customer Service or your Sales Representative
- Your Company Name and Purchase Order Number MUST be written on the disk exactly as it appears on faxed your faxed Purchase Order. This is necessary to ensure that your art will be correctly matched to your PO. Art sent without a PO or directly to the Art Department will not be considered received.
- Faxed PO must indicate that art will be sent on a disk and the date the disk will arrive
- Printed hard copy of art should be included with the disk for reference
- Please clearly indicate if you are sending REVISED art
When sending art via FTP:
- FTP is for LARGE FILES ONLY (Over 5 MB). Small files should be e-mailed
- We prefer that art is uploaded to our FTP site, rather then using a customer's FTP site. Please contact your Sales Representative / Customer Service for FTP instructions, username, and password
- Customers Purchase Order Number MUST be used to identify your file(s). PO must be referenced exactly as it appears on faxed Purchase Order. This is necessary to ensure that your art will be correctly matched to your PO. Art sent without a PO will not be considered received
- Faxed PO must indicate that art will be sent via FTP
- Faxed PO must include art layout for verification
- Art sent via FTP will not be checked until we receive notification from a representative of your company that the files have been completely uploaded.
TYPESETTING
Our normal art set-up charge includes typesetting 3-4 lines of copy, if applicable. If a specific font is required, the name of the font must be noted on your Purchase Order. If SD Modular Displays does not have the font, the type will be re-set using a standard font or font that matches as closely as possible.
IMPRINT AREA
On our website, we have included our most high demand products, but keep in mind that we can produce custom products for you. After perusing our website, contact us if you do not see exactly what you need.
FAXING ORDERS
Faxed orders are accepted as original orders. Any written confirmation of the faxed order MUST BE MARKED "CONFIRMATION OF FAX" to avoid duplication. SD Modular Displays is not responsible for any fax malfunction that would affect receipt of the order or omitted information on the order.
FREIGHT CLAIMS
INSPECT ALL DELIVERIES CAREFULLY AND NOTE ANY DAMGE WHEN SIGNING FOR YOUR ORDER. Unless specified on order SD Modular Displays will use the best shipping method based on information provided on your order. We cannot be responsible for freight charges incurred including any extra charges such as inside delivery, interlining of carriers, and international shipments. Lost, damaged or delayed merchandise is the responsibility of the carrier. Initiate any claim with the carrier within 15 days.
IMPRINT METHODS
Maximum imprint areas for each item are listed throughout the website. Unless instructed otherwise, art will be sized and placed appropriately for most effective visual presentation.
COLOR VARIATIONS
Due to the nature of manufacturing and production, slight variations in finished products are possible. SD Modular Displays cannot guarantee exact color matches from order to order.
FILE FORMTS 1-COLOR / 2-COLOR IMPRINTED PRODUCTS
There are two types of art files: Vector (known as line art) and Raster (known as bitmap art).
ALL ART must be created as (or converted to) VECTOR for your imprinted product.
VECTOR ART
FILE TYPES: .ai, .eps or .pdf (Vector)
Vector art is made of lines and curves defined by mathematical objects called vectors. Vector art is resolution independent. Therefore, it can be scaled to any size without loss of quality.
IMPORTANT: Convert all text to outlines, paths, or curves to ensure exact duplication of a typestyle. If text is not converted, type will be re-set using a font that matches as closely as possible.
Vector art created in Corel Draw cannot be used unless the file is saved as Adobe Illustrator .ai or .eps.
RASTER ART
FILE TYPES: .psd, .tif, .jpg, .bmp, .gif, raster .eps, or raster .pdf
Raster art is created using a program like Adobe Photoshop or scanned art which has not been converted to vector. A raster image consists of a grid, or bitmap, of small squares known as pixels, Raster images are resolution dependent (set at a fixed resolution).
IF YOU SEND RASTER ART, IT CANNOT BE USED FOR YOUR IMPRINTED PRODUCT. However, it maybe possible to use it as a template to convert the art into vector format. Converting raster art to vector art will incur additional art charges (see ART CHARGES). If it is necessary to use raster art, your production method will be dye-sublimation.
FILE FORMATS DIGITAL PRODUCTS
Both raster and vector files are acceptable for digital printed products. Documents must be created at 100% of final size, print-ready and require no file manipulation. If your file will require manipulation, art charges will apply (see DESIGN CHARGES). If printing mural panels, create your layout as a
one-page document; do not separate the panels. This is required to ensure accurate image alignment (registration between panels).
We accept Mac files created with or editable by the following Programs:
Adobe Photshop
- For best results, save file as a flattened .TIF
- Minimum recommended image resolution is 10 dpi at actual size. Files with image resolution lower than 100 dpi at actual size may result in pixelated (blurry) image quality.
- Image resolution of your file should be no higher than 180 dpi (dots per inch) at actual size ((1/4 final print resolution).
Adobe Illustrator / Macromedia Freehand / Quark XPress
- If importing / placing separate images into one of these programs, LINK -- do not embed -- the image files
- Include all original linked files (raster and vector) used to create the final document. Follow instructions under Photoshop (above) for preparing raster files.
- If saving as Adobe Illustrator or Freehand, convert all fonts to outlines / curves. If saving as Quark XPress, include all screen and printer fonts. (Note: we cannot access PC fonts.)
FILE FORMATS FULL COLOR DYE-SUB
We accept vector and raster Mac files created or editable by the following programs:
Adobe Photoshop or
Adobe Illustrator
(see FILE FORMATS DIGITAL PRODUCTS instructions above)
- If PMS matching is important, specify all PMS colors to match on your Purchase Order.
- Set all color swatches in your file to the correct PMS colors (do not use RGB, CMYK process or custom made color swatches).
COLOR MATCHING - DIGITAL / DYE-SUB
Digital and full-color dye-sub products are printed as CMYK (4-color) process from your file. If saved as RGB art will be converted to CMYK. We cannot guarantee PMS color matching. If you would like to match a specific PMS color, specify the color on your PO when sending your art. We will provide the closest available color in CMYK to match your PMS specification.
VIEWING A PROOF
Viewing a proof prior to production is strongly recommended to avoid errors. Proofs are sent 2 business days after receipt of Custom purchase order, payment, and usable art. Proof approval forms must be signed and faxed back prior to production. Allow additional lead time for the proofing process when determining your ship date. If you waive your opportunity to view a proof, SD Modular Displays is not liable for production errors if supplied art has been used and PO instructions have been followed.
PROOF FORMATS
The first proof is provided free of charge in on of the following formats (specify on your PO).
Fax Proof (Black-and-White hard copy)
- Best suited for imprinted products; not recommended for ink jet or dye-sublimated products.
E-mail Proof (color .pdf or .jpg)
- Recommended for digital or full color dye-sub products. Also available for imprinted products.
- Colors / image resolution of e-mail proofs do not represent final output (see TEST STRIPS).
PROOF REVISIONS
Proofs returned with changes are not considered approved. If customer's original instructions were followed by SD Modular Displays and a proof revision is requested by customer, a proof revision charge will apply. Revised proofs are sent the following business day.
Proof Revision Charges:
- 1st proof is free of charge.
- Additional proof revisions beyond the first cost $35.00 each.
Proof revisions must be submitted in writing. SD Modular Displays will not accept verbal revisions.
TEST STRIPS
For the most accurate representation of color and image resolution, test strips are available. Test strips are provided for
DIGITAL graphics only.
- One test strip is provide free of charge.
- Additional test strips beyond the first cost $25.00 each.
A test strip is a printed sample using actual media and inks, showing one area of the art (approx. 8" x 10") at print size. For best results, indicate the exact area of concern in the artwork, specify PMS color, and / or send a printed sample of the exact color to be matched. PMS colors are printed in CMYK to match as close as possible.
Production time for a test strip is 2 business days. Allow Additional lead time for the test strip when determining your ship date. Order will not be considered production-ready until approval of final test strip.
Download a Printable pdf of
Graphic Guidelines