We are passionate about artwork! The quality of artwork used for custom imprinting directly impacts the perceived quality of your organization. We use vector artwork, to ensure the highest quality possible. The imprint method used will also affect the quality of the end-result, but starting with good artwork is vital.
We provide graphic design services in-house. Our services range from creative logo designs and crafting tri-fold brochures to one of a kind t-shirt graphics. We are your one-stop shop from design concept to product delivery.
We create vector artwork that can be used for all purposes, resized without losing resolution, and exported into most any format.
Our fee is $40 per hour, billed at actual time spent on the design.
Once graphic design has begun, you will be billed for time spent on the project, even if the project is canceled.
Stock art is artwork that is already created and print ready. Stock art includes vector illustrations and photographs. Many sites like iStockPhoto offer stock art that can be purchased and legally used for your project. This can save on graphic design time and is a valuable tool to achieve a great end result. Stock art purchased for your project will be billed at actual cost. Please note that artwork copied from websites, including google, is not the same as stock art and is not high enough quality to use, nor legal to use.
We accept artwork supplied by you for your project. We prefer print ready vector artwork. This is usually created in Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw and saved in a file type such as pdf, eps, ai, and cdr. Raster images intended for websites, such as png and jpg file types, are not print ready and will most likely require a fee to get them print ready. One exception to this is photographs, which must be high resolution (at least 600 dpi at 100% of final size).
It is the client's responsibility to obtain permission to use the logo / artwork submitted. By submitting artwork to us, you agree that you are authorized to use the artwork and you are in compliance with any and all laws regarding licenses, trademarks and copyrights. You agree that Image Inkers is not responsible for any costs or damages incurred under these laws as a consequence of utilizing the supplied artwork.
Vector artwork is the best quality possible.
Raster artwork can be high quality, but generally is low quality.
For the majority of projects, vector artwork is needed. There are a few exceptions like a photograph on a business card. If you have raster artwork for your project that needs vector artwork, a fee will be charged to convert the raster image to vector.
It is illegal to use images / artwork / designs for your project if you do not hold the copyright. For example, we cannot print an NFL team logo on a shirt, or a Harry Potter character on an invitation. If you want to use copyrighted images, you must obtain permission from the copyright holder and send us proof.
4-Color Process (Full-Color) - A term referring to printing in full-color, generally using CMYK.
CMYK - Refers to the four colors of ink used in paper printing: cyan, magenta, yellow and key (black). Artwork to be used in paper printing, needs to be in CMYK format.
Spot Colors - Premixed ink used instead of process printing. Artwork to be used for screen printing needs to be in spot color format.
PMS - Refers to the Pantone Matching System, an industry standard for spot colors. Often organizations will specific PMS colors to be used for their official look.
One Color - Many promotional products look best with a one color imprint. Often, only one color is included in the price. This requires artwork containing more than one color, be converted to a black and white image similar to a coloring book.
Gradient - Color that changes gradually from one color to another. Okay for CMYK paper printing, but will not work with most other printing methods.
Halftones - Dots in varying sizes and spacing are used to simulate a gradient-like effect. Okay for screen printing.
Tight Registration - When two or more colors touch each other in a design.
Bleed - Printing that goes beyond the edge of where the sheet will be trimmed. If you want the print to go to the edge of the paper, a bleed must be included (the design must extend beyond the trim line). The amount of bleed required varies by product.
Safe Zone (Safety Margin) - The area all text and images that you don't want trimmed off should stay within.
Templates - Images provided by the supplier to ensure the correct size, bleed, and safe zone are used.