File Prep Guide
Artwork File Requirements
- Upload artwork as an RGB PDF.
- Your design must fit within the maximum printable area of 9.5" wide × 3.8125" tall.
- The PDF page itself does not have to be that size. If you use the provided template, it is on a landscape Letter page.
- Keep the artwork at its intended print size; do not scale it to fit the template.
- Crop marks are optional. Keep them outside the maximum printable area.
- Remove the template’s dotted alignment guides before uploading your finished artwork.
Logo Placement
For a single logo, center it on the dotted vertical guide in the half that matches the hand you’ll use to hold the mug: left-hand hold = left guide; right-hand hold = right guide. Use the horizontal dotted line to center the logo vertically.
Customer-supplied artwork is printed as submitted. Please check your file carefully before uploading. Need help preparing your design? Contact D. Millz 3D Works before placing your order.
Downloadable Guides / Templates
- Download our guides to ensure a more optimal print result.
- Be sure to DELETE any hidden layers that are not intended to print (ie: setup guide layers or other hidden artwork layers) to ensure no risk of them appearing on the final print.
- Each job (including multiple paged projects) must be submitted as a single PDF file. Ensure that all pages are the same size.
- Files must be submitted with proper orientation to ensure proper back up. Please review the File Orientation Guides carefully in the File Prep tabs for your particular product.
- It is best to try to avoid using borders in your design. If a border is too close to the trim, the trim may be slightly off-center.
- File must consist of 1/8" bleed and all important art and text must be within the safety margin. The more safety margin the better (to avoid awkwardly close trims or having critical elements from getting cut off).
- Ensure that your PDF is high res and that all images are CMYK at 300 DPI.
- Black text/type should have the following values: C0, M0, Y0, K100.
Larger areas of black coverage should be C:30/M:20/Y:20/K:100 to get a deep richer black. - Embed or outline all fonts.
- For best colour results, supply a CMYK only file (unless your product type specifically requires RGB color mode or specifically requires you to supply PMS colors).
Thin White Text on Rich Black Backgrounds
While SinaLite maintains strict quality standards, minor shifts in printing are possible. Thin or small white text knocked out from a rich black background is prone to printing issues, such as color bleeding, filling in, and poor readability due to slight misregistration. We recommend preparing files with the following tips in mind.
Use C30 M20 Y20 K100 for Rich Black
Use this recommended rich black formula to minimize oversaturation and registration problems. Avoid heavier CMYK builds like C60 M60 Y60 K100, which can increase color shift risks.
Thicken White Knockout Text
Increase the thickness of white text knockouts to prevent them from filling in or becoming unreadable.
- Recommended minimum line weight: 0.75pt
- Recommended minimum font size: 8pt
Apply Swelling
Swelling (slightly enlarging knockout areas) compensates for minor ink spread on the press. Slightly increasing the size of the white knockout text can help maintain crispness after printing.
Customer-supplied artwork is printed as submitted. Please check your file carefully before uploading. Need help preparing your design? Contact D. Millz 3D Works before placing your order.
Downloadable Guides / Templates
Apparel Artwork File Requirements
Submit your artwork as a PNG with a genuinely transparent background.
Use RGB color mode.
Prepare the design at its intended print size and aim for 300 DPI at final size. Avoid enlarging a small, low-resolution image.
Crop closely to the design. Remove extra transparent margins and hidden pixels that could affect sizing.
Do not submit screenshots or small images downloaded from the web.
Check your file at 300% zoom. Fuzzy or pixelated edges may show in the finished transfer.
Keep thin lines and small details clear and substantial enough to print.
Check Transparency Before Uploading
A checkerboard pattern in a design program may only indicate transparency. Make sure it is not baked into the image. Preview the exported PNG over light and dark backgrounds; any background that is part of the image may print.
Customer-supplied artwork is printed as submitted. Please check your file carefully before uploading. Need help preparing your design? Contact D. Millz 3D Works before placing your order.