Artwork Submission  Guidelines

**Please design your art with print in mind, what you see on your screen is not always possible in print.**

MKS accepts the following file types:

Illustrator - .ai, .eps, .pdf (preferred file type)

Adobe Photoshop - .psd, .pdf, .jpg, .png, .tif

InDesign - .indd, .pdf (note:  not all effects translate to illustrator well and submission of this file type could increase the amount of time a file is in prepress to be rebuilt.  Rebuilding a file in order to emulate the InDesign effects in illustrator will be billed at our hourly graphic design rate).

When Creating your art file, please ensure the following:

1.  Design all art in a CMYK color space for print.

2.  Vector art should be created using Pantone C colors so that we can ensure proper color matching on our side.

3.  Gradients should be created using CMYK formulas.  Please include Pantones that the colors should resemble so that we may match them correctly. 

4.  Rich Black should be used when creating art files.  The CMYK values should be 50/50/50/100.  If you submit a black with the values of 0/0/0/100, it will not be a rich black.

5.  Ensure when you are creating your file that the effects settings are at 300 ppi for maximum quality of any effects.

6.  All images must be converted from RGB to CMYK and at 100% of the printed size, should be between 100 and 300 ppi.  Please note that the conversion to CMYK may cause a slight color shift in the image.

7.  Please do not try to increase the resolution of a too small image as this will ultimately look pixelated in print.  If in doubt, please forward the image to us with the size you require and we will check the quality and advise.

8.  Please do not flatten any art prior to sending to us.

9.  Artwork with text should be submitted with the fonts outlined.  Outlining text eliminates the need to send us the fonts along with your art files. 

10.  While we do accept art files with transparencies, please understand that 9 times out of 10, what you see on your screen is not how it will print.  If in doubt, please contact us for guidance as we may be able to provide you with a simple solution that provides you with the same appearance.  Please do not flatten your transparencies prior to submission.

11.  Please build your files that are to be cut with bleeds.  We prefer a .125" bleed on all sides as shifting of the substrate during cutting is possible.

12.  Any cut files you have created should be on a separate layer and labeled as "Cut File".

13.  Image files should be embedded in the art file for submission.

14.  If submitting an art file in PDF format, the file must be saved as a Press Quality File.  

Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have regarding our design guidelines!