Printing Services FAQ

These lead times indicate how early to contact us before placing your order. They allow time for planning, file editing, and error checking. Production and shipping require additional time.

Anytime

• Projects without a rush deadline
• Experimental or trial prints
• Checking media availability

1 week before ordering

• Small print runs for art and photos
• Files are ready to print

2 weeks before ordering

• UV printing with files ready to print
• Medium-sized orders with multiple items
• Artwork needs adjustments before printing

More than 2 weeks before ordering

• Rare or specialty printing materials that must be ordered and shipped to our studio
• Large-format orders with multiple items
• Artwork is not ready yet

Some printing processes require intricate setup and substantial file preparation. Rare, high-cost materials are generally ordered for individual projects rather than kept in stock.

Our turnaround times vary from project to project. Once we know your specifications and deadline, we will let you know whether the production schedule can accommodate your project.

• Production starts only after we have received full payment and your final, print-ready files have been approved by the artist.
• Please check your files for typos and editing errors before approving them for production.
• Production and shipping times are calculated separately.

• Estimated in-hand dates refer to the end of the day.
• For delivery to a venue or hotel, plan for your packages to arrive 1–2 days before the exhibitor move-in date, also called “day zero.”
• This buffer allows extra time for delivery exceptions or severe weather.

• Contact us as soon as you need a rush order, before placing it—every hour counts!
• Rush charges are quoted and paid separately.
• The amount depends on the items that need to be rushed, the express shipping service required, and the orders already in our production queue.

Shipping

• We ship worldwide. International shipments may incur customs and brokerage fees.
• Free standard shipping is typically available for orders over approximately $200–$300 after discounts, depending on product type and shipment weight. Contact us to confirm whether your order qualifies.
• Large orders may ship in several packages.
• Expedited shipping is available on request. Contact us for a shipping estimate for your destination.

Delivery to a Venue or Hotel

• Plan for packages to arrive 1–2 days before the exhibitor move-in date (“day zero”) to allow for delivery exceptions or severe weather.
• If you ship prints to a hotel before you arrive, please notify the hotel’s front desk.
• Include the hotel name, address, length of stay, and room number in your shipping details.

We wish you safe travels and a great show. For venue or hotel deliveries, plan to receive your prints 1–2 days before “day zero”—the exhibitor move-in date. This buffer helps account for delivery exceptions and severe weather.

• RGB images: Adobe RGB (1998) is our default profile for photographs and digital graphics. The “1998” is part of the standard’s name and does not mean it is outdated. DCI-P3 is an alternative RGB option.
• CMYK images: We use PrintWide2020 to retain the broad range of color data we work with. Contact us to request the profile.
• Please embed the color profile in your files; do not leave images untagged.
• Do not use sRGB, SWOP, Gracol, Fogra, or other generic profiles for final print files. If you need help choosing or converting a profile, contact us before preparing your files.
• Please adjust your device and software settings to use consistent color profiles.

• Always specify the final print size and the resolution of your artwork.
• For raster (pixel-based) images, 300 PPI is the minimum imaging quality across all our printing services. Provide 300–600 PPI files with the full image data.
• For very large prints, if a full-resolution file is too large to handle or a suitable source image is unavailable, we may be able to upscale your image.
• Upscaling may introduce artifacts, and not every image is suitable for it. Contact us to review your image before relying on upscaling.
• Vector artwork is not subject to PPI requirements.
• Using AI-powered photo enlargement does not violate our terms of service.

• For art and photos, add 0.125 inch to your document’s overall width and height (0.0625” on all sides).
• For stretched canvas frames, add 5 inches instead (2.5” on all sides).
• Keep important graphics, legal notes, and logos away from the borders.
• [Example] A 6x8 photo needs a 6.125x8.125 document size for cutting.
• [Example] A 12x18 stretched canvas needs a 17x23 document size for wrapping around the frame.

• Preferred: TIFF images and original Adobe Photoshop (PSD or PSB) or Adobe Illustrator (AI) files
• Other supported formats include InDesign packages, Acrobat PDF, PNG, JPG, and JPEG.
• JPEG uses lossy compression, even at high quality. We prefer lossless images or original design files when available.
• Please embed the color profile.

1. Top: Varnish layer
2. Middle: Graphic layer (flattened artwork)
3. Bottom: White layer

• Each layer can have a mask.

• The white layer is a key layer beneath your artwork. It determines whether special effects show through your artwork.
• Masking the white layer exposes the VFX vinyl underneath.
• Artwork above areas without white ink blends with the color of the VFX vinyl underneath.

The varnish layer sits on top of your artwork and controls where a glossy or raised effect appears. Varnish is transparent when printed.

For layered UV-printing artwork, use grayscale layer masks to indicate the varnish amount:

• 100% opacity: Full varnish
• 50–70% opacity: Medium varnish
• 30% opacity: Very thin varnish
• 8–10% opacity: Near-invisible varnish for a subtle, watermark-like effect

Varnish is a spot color. You may use any on-screen display color that makes the area easy to identify while editing; the physical varnish prints transparent. Varnish also has a “wetting effect,” similar to the way fabric looks darker when wet.

• [Option 1: Photoshop] Create a solid-color layer and a mask. Rename the layer White or Varnish. Use grayscale values in the varnish layer mask to control the varnish amount.
• [Option 2: Photoshop] Create a spot color channel named exactly "White" or "Varnish". Black indicates areas where ink is applied; white indicates blank areas.
• [Option 3: Illustrator / InDesign] Create a spot color swatch named exactly "White" or "Varnish". Apply the spot color with the desired overprint order.

You can choose any convenient on-screen display color for varnish. Keep the exact spot color name "Varnish"; its display color does not change the transparent appearance of the printed varnish.

• Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator files must include a layer structure and/or White or Varnish spot colors.
• Spot color names are case-sensitive.

• If you do not have access to vector design software, prepare your artwork on a transparent background.
• Add a solid white border around the artwork to define the die-cutting shape.
• Leave a clean, white border of 1/16–1/8 inch around your artwork. Sticker dimensions and cutting extensions are measured in inches.
• Use PNG or Photoshop format for raster artwork, or Illustrator if you work with vectors. Follow our image guide for size, resolution, and color profile settings.
• If your design includes internal cutouts, contact us to confirm how to prepare the cutting shape.

• Set up your image in Adobe Illustrator or InDesign.
• We need the exact file dimensions for both printing and cutting. Please provide the assets or embed the images.
• The die-cut line must be a closed vector path in an organized layer.
• Kiss cutting is optional. A 1/8-inch extension from the artwork is recommended.
• Extensions from the artwork for die cutting and kiss cutting are measured in inches.
• The recommended cutting distance between stickers is 1/16–1/8 inch.

• Follow the advanced setup instructions and organize your layer contents.
• Instead of creating a cut line outside your artwork, place the cutting path around 1/16 inch inside it.
• This works like borderless printing, but you decide the shape of the page.

• We offer matte, luster, and gloss lamination with outdoor UV and water protection.
• Holographic lamination is for indoor use only.

• Absolutely.
• You can set up your UV printing document in Photoshop or Illustrator, then use Illustrator to create the cutting paths.
• Leave an unprinted border of 1/16–1/8 inch around the artwork.

• Magnets can be cut into small gift sizes, such as collectible fridge magnets.
• Flexible magnetic sheets are ideal for easily changeable store menus, signs, or vehicle advertisements.
• Make sure the surface you apply them to is receptive to magnets.

Presentation

• Please measure your space before ordering and installation.
• Adjust the lighting intensity and angle. We recommend "full spectrum" LED lighting.

Cleaning

• Gently brush away dust to clean your artwork.
• Do not use detergent or rubbing alcohol on the surface.
• We do not recommend exposing art prints to UV-C light, including light used to sanitize a space.

Art Board

• We offer custom shapes for aluminum composite art boards up to 46 x 94 inches.
• Prices may vary depending on the shape and complexity.

Canvas Prints & Optional Framing

• We print on wide canvas rolls. Arranging multiple prints within the printable area makes better use of the material and reduces waste.
• Custom-size canvas print orders are bundled according to the print dimensions and roll layout.
• Framing is optional. Custom-size frame orders generally require a minimum of 2–4 frame sets, depending on the size. Contact us to confirm the required quantity for your project.
• Available frame lengths: 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 24, 28, 30, 32, 36, 40 inches
• Available frame widths: the lengths listed above, plus 48, 50, 60 inches

Fine Art Paper

• Please provide the paper brand, weight in GSM, and caliper (thickness in mils, where 1 mil equals 1/1000 inch).
• We can also order custom paper for larger projects.

UV-Printing Materials

• Maximum thickness for customer-supplied UV-printing substrates: 2.5 inches.
• The surface must be perfectly flat and suitable for treatment with a UV-ink adhesion promoter.
• Contact us with the material type, dimensions, and thickness to confirm compatibility before bringing it to the studio.
• Print results vary depending on the material and surface.

• Available bar widths: 9, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 48 inches
• Scroll bars have embedded magnets, and custom lengths are available.
• Our digital canvas is a lightweight woven poly fabric that carries vivid images and is easy to transport for retail sales.
• Traditional inkjet canvas printing is also available on request.

• 24 × 36 inches is a popular banner size that balances size and cost.
• Double-sided printing is available.
• Grommets are optional, depending on your needs. Some clients prefer poster clips.