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Q.) What if I don’t have artwork?
A.) Don’t worry. Send us what you have. Our professional art team will
work with what you have to create exactly what you need FREE. Don’t have art?
Just tell your Customer Care Rep what you are thinking of, and we will create
it for you FREE. Nearly every other promotional products company we know of
charges for these services in some way, not us. If you do not have artwork
and would like us to typeset your information we can do that as well. This is
a tremendous value!
Q.)
Where do I send my artwork?
A.)
Simply reply and attach it to your order confirmation e-mail and we’ll take
it from there. You can also send it to info@plapromo.com
or e-mail directly to your Customer Care Representative.
Artwork
Requirements
Preferred Image Formats
EPS, .AI, .CDR (Vector format with
fonts converted to outlines or curves)
Accepted Image Formats
Any PC compatible file. Please do
not send compressed Mac Files.
Typesets and Fonts
If sending vector/print-ready
artwork (.ai, .cdr, .eps) with embedded fonts, please be sure that all fonts
are converted to curves or outlines to avoid any font substitutions. If
sending raster artwork (.jpg, .png, .bmp, .tif, or a Photoshop generated .eps
file) with embedded fonts, please specify the font used so we can recreate
text accurately. If you would like us to try and match the embedded font,
please specify in the comments.
Unique Fonts: If you are
submitting text only for your imprint, you will be offered a choice of
several popular fonts. We also have many fonts installed in our system that
we are able to use upon request. If a specific font is requested that we do
not have on file, we may ask that you have a copy of the font sent to our art
department.
Vector
vs. Raster Images
Lets take a moment to discuss the
difference between vector graphics and raster graphics. Most of our products
require vector artwork to ensure a satisfactory imprint. Word processors,
spreadsheet, or presentation applications, although suitable for creating
files for office or Internet use, are not recommended for creating digital
art for print. Microsoft Office applications are included in this group.
However, in some cases such files may be converted to enable use.
Vector Graphics
Vector Graphics are typically
generated using drawing or illustration programs (e.g., Adobe Illustrator or
Corel Draw) and are composed of mathematically-defined geometric shapes such
as lines, objects, and fills. Since vectors entail both magnitude and
direction, vector elements are thus comprised of line segments whose length
represents magnitude and whose orientation in space represents direction.
Vector graphics are easily
modified within the creating application and are usually not affected
detrimentally by scaling (enlarging or reducing their size). Because vector
elements are mathematically-defined, scaling simply requires modification of
their mathematical locations. However, vector files do not support
photographic imagery well and can often be problematic for cross-platform
exchange. Vector graphics are typically saved in EPS format.
Raster Graphics
Raster Images are produced by
digital image capture devices, such as digital scanners or cameras, or by
pixel editing programs (e.g., Adobe Photoshop). Raster images are composed of
a matrix (grid) or bitmap of digital picture elements (pixels). Pixels are
squares or rectangles described as black, white, Gray, or color. Raster
images are typically saved as TIFF format, but can be saved as EPS as well.
Whereas conversion from vector to raster is easily accomplished, raster
conversion to vector is much more difficult (and is often impossible,
especially when converting fonts). Raster images are easily shared across
various platforms, but can be more difficult than vector graphics to modify.
Raster graphics are also impacted by scaling.
Virtual Proofs
When it comes to promotional
items, there's nothing more important than making sure your message is heard
loud and clear. Your Customer Care Representative will email or fax a free
virtual proof of your imprint to ensure your complete satisfaction before we
begin production. If you need to make changes, we will work with you to get
your artwork exactly the way you want it. Production will only begin when you
are completely satisfied with your imprint, so you know your promotional
products will convey your branding message professionally and accurately!
Where do
I send my artwork?
During the checkout process when
placing your order online (www.plapromo.com) you will be able to upload the
artwork at that moment. In some occasions, if you have difficulties uploading
your art, simply e-mail it to:info@plapromo.com
or e-mail directly to your Customer Care Representative. Note: When emailing
your artwork, please provide your Order Number on the subject line.
Can I
specify a PMS color for my imprint?
Yes! Keep in mind however, that in some cases
there is an additional charge for this service in order to get the specialized
ink if an exact match is required. There are also a few products where, due to
the limitations of the imprinting process, exact PMS matching is not possible.
Your Customer Care Representative will help you with this. Just let us know
which colors we should be working towards in the additional comments section in
the order process, or just let your representative know (you will get an e-mail
from them shortly after you place your order!).
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Imprinting
Methods
There are many different ways to
imprint your name or logo onto our many promotional products. Some popular
methods are screen printing, laser engraving, and heat stamping. You'll find
the standard imprint method for specific products listed in each items description,
along with the imprint colors available for that item. Please take a moment to
learn more about the various imprint methods we offer.
What
Imprinting Methods do you offer?
There
are many different ways to imprint your name or logo onto our many promotional
products. Some popular methods are screen printing, laser engraving, and heat
stamping. You'll find the standard imprint method for specific products listed
in each item's description, along with the imprint colors available for that
item. Unless otherwise noted, the pricing and set up fee listed for each item
includes a one color, one location imprint. Please take a moment to learn more
about the various imprint methods we offer. If you have questions, you're
always welcome to contact us for more information!
What is
Screen Printing?
Screen printing is arguably the most
versatile of all printing processes. It can be used to print on a wide variety
of substrates, including paper, paperboard, plastics, glass, metals, and
fabrics. Some common products from the screen printing industry include posters,
labels, decals, signage, electronic circuit boards, and all manner of textiles.
The advantage of screen printing over other print processes is that the press
can print on substrates of any shape, thickness and size.
A significant characteristic of screen
printing is that a greater thickness of the ink can be applied to the substrate
than is possible with other printing techniques. This allows for some very
interesting effects that are not possible using other printing methods. Due to
the simplicity of the application process, a wider range of inks and dyes are
available for use in screen printing than for use in any other printing
process.
Utilization of screen printing
presses has begun to increase because production rates have improved. This has
been a result of the development of the automated and rotary screen printing
press, improved dryers, and U.V. curable ink. The major chemicals used include
screen emulsions, inks, solvents, surfactants, caustics and oxidizers used in
screen reclamation. The inks used vary dramatically in their formulations.
What is
Off-set Lithography Process?
Printing processes such as offset
lithography use printing plates to transfer an image to paper or other
substrates. The plates may be made of metal, plastic, rubber, paper, or other
materials. The image is put on the printing plates using photomechanical,
photochemical, or laser engraving processes. The image may be positive or
negative.
What is
Heat Stamping Process?
Heat stamping or hot stamping is a
process in which an engraved image mold or hot stamping die is heated then
forced down against a product with a colored marking foil sandwiched in
between. The area where the die cast mold meets the product is where the ink
from the foil is left behind.
Hot stamping can be used to mark a
multitude of different materials, most commonly plastic and wood. The most
attractive aspect of hot stamping is that it is a dry process, so there is no
need to worry about mixing inks.
Product
Screen Printing Applications
Screen printing is arguably the most
versatile of all printing processes. It can be used to print on a wide variety
of substrates, including paper, paperboard, plastics, glass, metals, and
fabrics. Some common products from the screen printing industry include
posters, labels, decals, signage, electronic circuit boards, and all manner of
textiles. The advantage of screen printing over other print processes is that
the press can print on substrates of any shape, thickness and size.
Due to the simplicity of the
application process, a wider range of inks and dyes are available for use in
screen printing than for use in any other printing process.
Print Method - Laser Engraving
Laser engraving is the practice of
using lasers to engrave, etch, or mark an object. The technique can be very
complex, and often a computer system is used to drive the movements of the
laser head. Despite the complexity, very precise and clean engravings can be
achieved at a high rate.
Print
Method - Heat Stamping
Heat stamping or hot stamping is a
process in which an engraved image mold or hot stamping die is heated then
forced down against a product with a colored marking foil sandwiched in
between. The area where the die cast mold meets the product is where the ink
from the foil is left behind. When a product is marked with a properly
formulated foil, it can withstand very harsh conditions and be very long
lasting. When using a metal die on a plastic part, you can actually brand the
product at the same time. If the color should fade or wear off, the branded
image will remain. Hot stamping can be used to mark a multitude of different
materials, most commonly plastic and wood.
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