FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What types of files can I send to San Diego Sign Depot?

We recommend saving as a .PDF

You may also send the file in the following types: jpg, jpeg, psd, tif, tiff, eps, ai, and png

We prefer that you send .PDF and .EPS files with outlined fonts. These files are easier to handle and will likely speed up your turn-around. Remember to add crop marks and flatten your files before uploading.

2. What color mode should my files be in?

If you send us an RGB file, there is a chance that a color shift may occur and you may not be satisfied with your job.

You should always start and finish your designs in CMYK color mode.

3. What resolution should my file be in?

Low resolution files may be printed as is or will be placed on hold until we receive new files, slowing your turn-around.

We only accept 300 dpi files and no less.

4. How should I set up my bleed and crop marks?

Bleed must extend further than the cut line. Using one of our San Diego Sign Depot Templates can help you visualize this. Please keep all text and anything you do not want cut at least .125" away from the cut line.

When sending an .eps or .pdf, make sure you include crop marks so we can cut the job correctly.

Click here to go to our production templates.

5. Does San Diego Sign Depot accept borders on jobs?

Yes, but if the border is too close to the cutline, it may be cut off-center slightly.

We cut through many sheets at a time, so watch your borders to avoid an unwanted mistake.

6. How should I set up my file for proper rotation?

San Diego Sign Depot requires Print Ready files with proper rotation. Files submitted are printed HEAD to HEAD as-is based off your files.

Make sure to set up your files so that when we print them HEAD to HEAD the final product will read the way you would like. Also, front and back files need to be set up either both sides vertically or both sides horizontally.

For files not properly set up, San Diego Sign Depot will use best judgment and will not be responsible for improper rotation.

7. How can I avoid transparency issues?

Any transparency issue can be resolved before saving your file.

To prevent this, never use shadows, glows, or any other transparency (image or otherwise) on top of a spot color. Always convert your spot color to CMYK and flatten before sending.

All of these effects will cause transparency problems.

8. Should I send a proof or sample file?

When sending artwork, do not send extra files, like proofs or samples, because they might get printed. Only send the files you need printed.

We are not responsible for these kinds of files being printed. Unless requested by one of our employees, DO NOT send files that you do not want printed.

9. What is overprint, and how can it ruin my file?

Primarily used to intentionally overlap inks for a number of reasons, overprint can cause unexpected results. We suggest that you turn all overprint objects off before submitting your files.

Unexpected results may occur if you have accidentally set certain objects to overprint. Always check logos and other artwork before submitting.

10. Can I submit multiple files in one document?

No. We are now specifically set up to process one side at a time, and this requires that each side of a job must be on a separate file.

Not separating files will cause delays and you might have to send the files again. Remember to separate the pages of your .pdf files as well.

11. How should I set up a Spot UV job?

When creating a Spot UV job, you must include a Spot UV template file along with the regular full color file. The Spot UV template file is used to show where the UV will be placed.

Use 100% K to indicate where you would like the UV. White will indicate no UV.

REMEMBER "IF IT'S WHITE, YOU CAN WRITE!"

12. How can I set up a file for silver ink?

Silver ink files must be sent in a vector format. You must use a vector program, like Illustrator or InDesign, to call out the object you want in silver ink.

To indicate the silver ink, you must set the object color to Pantone¨ 877 C. Any other color will not be accepted as silver. Also, labeling the layer as "silver mask" or "silver" will not qualify your file.

Remember, silver is a spot color and transparencies like drop shadows should be avoided.

13. How do I set up a Metallics Unlimited (MU) file?

With our Metallics Unlimited (MU) system, you can make any CMYK color or full color image into a metallic color. MU jobs must be created in Photoshop. In addition to your full color artwork, you must add a channel to your final file.

a. After creating your full color design in a Photoshop layer, select what you would like to be metallic with the magic wand or selection tool.

Make sure when making your selection, to only select the area that you need metallic. The MU system will not work on gradients so do not include them in your selection.

b. After the selection is made, go to the channels palette, then the channels menu, and select "New Spot Channel..."

c. When the "New Spot Channel" window shows up make sure your settings look like this...

Make sure the name of your spot channel is "mu channel". Under "Ink Characteristics", color is set to, C 0 M 0 Y 0 K 100. Solidity is set to 100%.

d. The black parts indicate what will be metallic and the white parts will print as normal CMYK ink.

Remember, the color or area you indicated in the channels must match the same area you want metallic in your layers.

e. Save your file as a "Photoshop DCS 2.0" file. Make sure your format options look like the image on the right.

The extension for this file will be .EPS. Your file is now ready to send to San Diego Sign Depot. Remember, MU works better with lighter colors and we cannot guarantee any color matching.

14. How can I make sure my blues do not come out purple?

When using a blue in your design, always make sure to leave at least a 30% difference in your Cyan and Magenta values.

Blue is close to purple in the CMYK spectrum. Remember, use a low amount of magenta whenever using high amounts of cyan to avoid purple.

EXAMPLE: C-100 M-70 Y-0 K-0

15. How do I export a .pdf correctly?

When exporting from any program such as InDesign or Illustrator, use these settings to make sure your .PDF files export correctly.

EXPORT SETTINGS FOR .PDF FILES

Adobe PDF Preset is set to: Press Quality

Compatibility is set to: Acrobat 4 (PDF 1.3)

Compress Text and Line Art is set to: Off

16. How do I get a grayscale image in a CMYK document?

Grayscale images that are converted to CMYK will have a color shift in the final print. That shift may be green or yellow.

Always check the CMYK values of your grayscale in the final CMYK document. If there are other values other than K in your grayscale image, there is a chance that the color will vary.

To eliminate all values other than K, use your Channel Mixer (adjustment layer) in Photoshop, then click "Monochrome" and adjust accordingly.

17. What is rich black and how can I get it?

Rich black is an ink mixture of solid black, 100% K, with additional CMY ink values. This results in a darker tone than black ink alone. If you print black alone as 100% K, the resulting black may not be as dark as you might like.

We recommend using: C 60 M 40 Y 40 K 100

This will give you a deep, dark, rich black.

18. Why does my business card crack around the edges?

Cracking of the edges of a business card sometimes occurs when the card contains high values of ink, as in dark colors.

This usually happens on a small amount of cards in the run. To prevent this, use lighter colors or if you must use dark colors, use as little ink as possible.

19. What is banding?

Many things can cause banding. Banding can be caused by the program that it is exported from, such as InDesign or Corel. Also, too many gradient steps, for example going from a very light color to a dark color, in a small area will cause banding.

To prevent this, check your digital files before sending. If you use a gradient, make sure it has enough room for a smooth transition.

20. Why is there cracking on my scoring job?

When a job is coated with UV then scored and folded the job may begin to crack. During use, the cracks will become bigger and the ink may start to chip off.

Cracking is normal when coated jobs are scored and folded. Ordering the job without UV will help but may not prevent this. As the job is used and folded more and more, cracking will eventually happen.

21. How can Pantone colors affect the way my job prints?

There are three different ways Pantone colors can affect the way your job prints.

The first is by object effects, such as shadows or glows, on top of your Pantone colors. Here is what the effects will look like on screen:

To avoid this, convert all your Pantone colors into CMYK before submitting your order.

The second way Pantone colors can affect your file is when you use transparent images.

To fix this issue, convert all your Pantone colors into CMYK. If you need to have a Pantone color in your art, for example when doing a silver 877c job, you must create a clipping mask around the image so the white area will not show up. This must be done before submitting the order.

The last way Pantone colors can affect your order is the color conversion between a Pantone color and CMYK. All of our normal printing is done in CMYK unless you specifically order a Silver, MU, or Custom job. If you use Pantone colors in a job that will print CMYK, your job might print with undesirable colors.

If you send in a job with Pantone colors, the CMYK conversion will change the Pantone color. Before sending your order, make sure all Pantone colors have been converted to CMYK.

22. How do I use San Diego Sign Depot templates?

Our Certified Templates are a great tool to create artwork that can be printed faster, easier, and more accurately. If you are using Illustrator, you can use our specialized EPS templates.

These templates will help you identify where the cut line, bleed line, and safety line, are located along with other information so you can design your art correctly.

Some of our templates are labeled as OUT and IN. This means that there is some folding involved with the template. OUT means the FRONT of the job and IN means the BACK. During the upload part of your order, remember that OUT is the FRONT and IN is the BACK.

Remember, do not move or change any part of the template when using them.

Click here to go to our production templates.

Need more help? Is your question different than the ones listed above? Call us at 858-675-9400 or email us at info@sdsigndepot.com.