The following is a set of general guidelines to consider when submitting artwork. Please keep in mind that while these are merely guidelines and certainly not a mandate, they have been provided to save you time and money. We kindly ask for your cooperation.
NOTE: The below guidelines are subject to change without notice and at Coast Designs Inc. discretion.
Non-Digital Artwork Basics
While we do prefer digital art, non-digital artwork is accepted. Non-digital art should be at, or larger, than the actual printing size you desire. Please provide black and white original line art in addition to a color sample. We ask that hand-drawn submissions be protected against being easily smudged or otherwise distorted. Please bring your non-digital art directly to our office. They will be returned to you upon completion of the job.
Digital Artwork Basics
All jobs require vector or rasterized artwork, although vector is preferred. If raster art is submitted, the file's resolution should be at a minimum of 300 dpi at the actual printing size (100%), although 400 dpi or higher is preferred for better results.
For photographs and similar style artwork (painting, hand drawn sketch, etc.), raster art is the only acceptable file type. If raster art is the only available format, additional charges and time may be required for art labor. For detailed artwork, the file must be at 600 dpi.
File Formats
Preferred: Illustrator 9 or newer (.ai .eps), Photoshop 7 or newer (.psd)
Supported (Acceptable): Generic raster art files (.gif .jpg .bmp .tif .png) only with high enough resolution to satisfy the basic digital artwork requirements otherwise additional charges and time may be required.
Preferred: E-mail for files under 2 MB, CD/CD-R/CD-RW, DVD-R/DVD-RW, USB flash drive
Also Supported (Acceptable): ZIP 100 or 250 disks
Helpful Suggestions:
* Include a jpg for reference
* Convert all fonts to paths/outlines (if in a vector art program) or rasterize (if in a raster art program)
* Include all placed images in addition to actual design files
* Submit raster art at actual size
* Identify all spot colors
* Submit original files if possible
* Never flatten or merge layers in a Photoshop (.psd) file
* Verify art meets all submission guidelines
Artwork Approval
Prior to going to production on a design, it is standard operating procedure to generate a web comp (short for composition) posted online for your approval. Alternatively, you may also come to our office to view your art at actual size, in full color, on our computer monitors. Unfortunately, for privacy purposes we do not hot link to our web comps. In order to view a web comp, please refer to your work order for the address (bottom of the page). The address will be in the following format:
http://www.coastdesigns.com/comps/FILENAME.html
Please type this into the URL box at the top of your Internet browser, making sure to replace "FILENAME" with the specific file name provided on your work order. If your work order does not specify a file name, please contact our office.
After viewing your art, please call, email, fax, or visit us with an approval or suggestions on how we can make your design better.
