printing guide
At Stretch Shapes, we’re experts at making you and your client look your best. We designed our print guide to ensure your file submissions produce a high-quality finished product. Our team is here to help and serve as partners in your success. We can’t wait to see your creation!
If you cannot generate a file, we have several design service options. Contact your Relationship Manager to learn more about them.
Before submitting your file, please check it against the following criteria to the best of your ability:
- My file is the correct size and at least 100 DPI at full scale.
- My file is submitted in a CMYK color space with Pantones applied if applicable.
- All links are embedded and all fonts are outlined.
- My file is submitted in its native format and has not been flattened.
- My file includes bleed.
- My quote or invoice number is listed in my file name.
To serve you best, please submit files in any of the following formats. Whenever possible, files should be submitted at full scale; if not, please indicate the scale in the file title. Please note that if your project requires a reverse warp (Flat Panel Sails and Panel Wall Tiles), your file must be submitted with layers in Adobe Illustrator.
- Adobe Illustrator (Note: Fonts must be outlined or provided, and linked images must be embedded or provided. See following tabs.)
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe InDesign (Please package your file via 'File>Package' and submit the entire resulting folder.)
- PDF (Please note that while PDFs are often acceptable, they may not be as successful as natively built file types.)
CMYK stands for cyan, magenta, yellow, and key (black). It is the color mode used in physical print media. Color is created by layering inks.
RGB stands for red, green, blue. It is the color used in digital media. Colors are created by adding light together.
RGB files can be converted to CMYK, however you will notice that it is not possible to replicate bright colors like neons in a physical 4-color print process.
For best results, build your file in a CMYK color space.
Vector files are made of points, lines, and shapes based on math. This means they can be resized without losing quality, making them ideal for logos, illustrations, and designs that need to stay sharp at any size.
Raster files are made of tiny dots called pixels. These are best for detailed images like photos but can lose quality and become blurry if resized too much.
We prefer vector files whenever possible because they ensure crisp, high-quality results regardless of size or application. Raster files should have a minimum of 100 PPI (pixels per inch) at full scale for best results.
As noted in ‘Accepted File Types’, any linked imagery should be embedded. If you drop an image from your desktop into your Adobe Illustrator document and then send that document alone to Stretch Shapes, it would open as a missing link and not be usable. Embedding ensures that your document will print as intended.
- To Embed in Adobe Illustrator: Click the linked element. In your righthand quick actions panel, you should see a button that says "Embed." Click that and you're good to go! You can also open the links panel, select the linked element, click the hamburger menu ≡ and select 'Embed' from the resulting drop down.
- Embedding in Adobe Photoshop is not necessary as it's a photo based program and inherently embeds imagery.
- Files in Adobe InDesign should always be packaged. View the 'Packaging Files' tab for a guide.
Including fonts ensures that everything will display as intended in your file. You may also opt to send the font file.
- To outline a font in Adobe Illustrator, select all live type. Click 'Type' in the headers and select 'Create Outlines' from the resulting dropdown. This can also quickly be done by selecting live type and then keying in Shift+Ctrl+O
- Outlining fonts is not necessary in Photoshop files, but please do send font files or rasterize your type at full scale.
- Files in Adobe InDesign should always be packaged. This will ensure that any fonts used are sent along with the file. View the 'Packaging Files' tab for a guide.
Files created in InDesign should always be packaged. This will include the native file, a PDF, any linked images, and any fonts used. If the file alone is provided, it’s likely that missing links and fonts would be an issue.
To package your InDesign file, select ‘File’ from the top menu. From the resulting drop down, select ‘Package File’. In the pop up, click ‘Package…’
You may also use the command Ctrl+Alt+Shift+P.
Send the entire resulting folder to Stretch Shapes.
Pantone matching is the best way to guarantee that your dye sublimated product will match other printed elements in your set.
Stretch Shapes matches from the Pantone Solid Coated color book. Swatches from other color books will be converted.
If color matching is imperitive, it is recommended that you order a sample from your Relationship Manager.
Our proprietary reverse warp is a process executed on any print job with rigging points and no rigid frame or structure.
We alter your graphic so that it might look a bit funny when flat, but perfect when stretched and rigged. To complete this process, your file submission must be layered, not flattened.
If you’re unable to provide a layered file, our skilled designers are happy to assist you. Reach out to your relationship manager with any questions.
