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Our Newsletter


FAQ



1. What type of files can I send to Clash Graphics?
We recommend saving as a .JPG
You may also send the file in the following types: pdf, 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?

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.

THESE COLORS ARE IN RGB


THESE ARE THE SAME COLORS BUT IN CMYK

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

3. What resolution should my file be?

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

THESE ARE 72 DPI LOW RES IMAGES


THESE ARE THE SAME IMAGES BUT AT 300 DPI

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 Templates can help you visulize this. Please keep all text and anything you do not want to get cut off at least .125" away from the cut lines.

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.

Does Clash Graphics accept borders on jobs?

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

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

10. Can I submit a front and back in the same file?

No. Each side of the job needs to be on a seperate file.

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 fileis 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.

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.

VECTOR BASED PROGRAMS                            RASTER PROGRAMS

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.

100% C 100% M 0% Y 0% K

ON SCREEN

AFTER PRINTING

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.

GRAYSCALE ON SCREEN   

GRAYSCALE AFTER PRINT

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.

100% K ON SCREEN

100% K AFTER PRINT

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.

CLOSE UP OF BUSINESS CARD

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.

CLOSE UP OF 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.

CLOSE UP SCORING

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 do I set up an envelope with bleed?
Download the guidelines for setting up an envelope with bleed. click here
22. How can Pantone colors affect the way my job prints?
Answer
23. How do I use Clash Graphics templates?
Answer
24. General ESR and Digital Color Printing

ESR quantities start from 25-250 and are printed on brand new, high tech digital equipment.


Our brand new Digital color presses are in a different class. The print quality of digital prints exceed professional standards. Here are a few facts about Digital Color Printing:


- Tests show digital quality matches offset.
- Digital printing offers larger color gamut.
- Print buyers find digital quality interchangeable with offset quality.
- Today, many showcase applications are printed digitally.
- Digital printing is more affordable for short runs, due to very low set up cost.


*disclaimer: Occasionally, quantities of up to 5000 and more might be printed using digital color technology in order to meet turnaround deadlines

25. How should I set up a spot AQ job?

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

NORMAL CMYK PRINT FILE SPOT AQ TEMPLATE FILE

Use white, 0C 0M 0Y 0K, to indicate where you would like the AQ. Black, 100%K, will indicate no AQ.