Listed below are the most common errors we find in digital files submitted to us for printing. Please keep in mind that if your job has any of these errors it will be placed on hold until the problem is corrected. XcelPrinting.com makes every attempt to contact you and will keep a log of these attempts, but your best insurance against a delayed job with us or any online printing company, is understanding the following problems and solutions.

Incorrect Color Mode

RGB color mode (red, green, blue) must be converted to CMYK color mode (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) prior to printing. Please visit our Help Center for additional information.

Wrong Size

Digital files must be built at the correct bleed size. Whenever possible, please download and use our Free Print Layout Templates to ensure correct page size and to prevent additional charges during file preparation and printing.

Critical Artwork or Text Close to Trim

Text or images that are not meant to be trimmed off the edge of your final printed piece must be 1/4" (.25) from the edge of your layout (also known as Safety).

Images that are meant to go to the very edge of your design must extend into the bleed area 1/8" (0.125).

Due to the very small shifting that occurs during cutting, it is NOT recommended that you use a border of less than 1/4" (.25). XcelPrinting.com can not guarantee that small borders will be the same size on all sides after trimming if you have used a border of less than 1/4" (.25).

Low Resolution Images

Raster graphics such as TIF and JPEG files must have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi (dots per inch). Images with a resolution less than 300 dpi will reproduce poorly on press (the image will look fuzzy and/or pixelated).

If your images are from a website on the internet, there is a good chance that the resolution will not be high enough for printing (unless the images came from a stock photography house and are designated high resolution). The internet displays images at 72 dpi, so that the images appear quickly over an internet connection, but under no circumstances should images at this dpi be used for printing.

If you submit low-resolution files for printing, you will be asked to sign an online waiver acknowledging that you are aware of the resulting loss of quality and that you will accept the final image as is.

Missing Fonts

If you used a page layout program (Pagemaker, InDesign, etc.) you must provide all fonts and typefaces used in your layout. If you do not supply fonts, you will be asked to upload your fonts and your job will be placed on hold until we receive them.

Missing Images

If you used a page layout program (Pagemaker, InDesign, etc.) you must supply all high-resolution images used in your layout. If you do not supply your images, your printing job will be placed on hold and you will be contacted and asked to send us the missing images.

Wrong File Type

Our online printing services and production process is such that we can only accept specific file types from specific professional graphic design applications.

Corrupt File
 

As files travel across the internet, they are often stripped of vital code that identifies them and their original file types. Without compressing (win zip / stuff it) them, your files may reach their destination as incomplete or "corrupted" digital files.

Do you still have unanswered questions? You can find many more answers and suggestions within the File Preparation category of our Help Center.