Frequently Asked Questions

We recommend saving as a PDF file. You may also send the file in the following types: JPG, TIF, TIFF, EPS, and PNG.

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

For Roll Labels, we recommend designing:

• vector files (e.g. EPS or PDF)
• 300 DPI or higher
• use black (100% K)
• for fine lines and text smaller than 9pt, use black (100% K) only

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

Here is an example of the difference between RGB and CMYK in print:

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

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.

Bleed must extend past the cut-line and will be trimmed from the product during the final cutting phase. When the image is required to extend all the way to the edge, bleed is needed to preserve the finished look and the quality of the final product.

Please keep all text at least 0.125" inside the cut-line.

- The bleed for Standard Products is 0.125".

- The bleed for Booklets and Presentation Folders is 0.25".

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.

Sure Copy 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, Sure Copy will use best judgment and will not be responsible for improper rotation.

Any transparency issue can be resolved before saving your file.

Never use shadows, glows, or any other transparency (image or otherwise) on top of a spot colour. Always convert your spot colour to CMYK and flatten before sending.

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 extra files being printed. Unless requested by one of our employees, DO NOT send files that you do not want printed.

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.

Each side of a job should be in a separate file unless otherwise requested. Please remember to separate the pages of your .pdf files as well.

When creating a Spot UV job, you must include a Spot UV template file along with the regular print file. The Spot UV template file is used to show where the UV coating needs to be applied.

For better quality we recommend creating mask files in vector based programs such as Illustrator or CorelDRAW.

Please only use solid 100% K to indicate where you would like the UV. Do not use shadows, glows or grayscale images. White will indicate no UV.

Remember, if it's white, you can write!

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

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.

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

- OR -

We also have a PDF Preset (.joboptions file) to make it easy to create a Sure Copy Print Ready PDF. Download the file, then double click. This will install a Preset into all Adobe products (Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign, etc..) so you can choose it while saving your PDF. Click here to download.

NOTE: Due to Adobe limitations, this preset will not convert all colours into CMYK. You must convert all colours to CMYK before saving your file.

Grayscale images that are converted to CMYK will have a colour 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 colour will vary.

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

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.

*Products that are printed with dye-sublimation (9oz Premium Polyester Banner, Flags, Table Covers, Fabric Tube Displays, etc.) call for the following colour values:

C 100 M 100 Y 100 K 100

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

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

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 colour to a dark colour, 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.

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.

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

The first is by object effects, such as shadows or glows, on top of your Pantone colours.

When a Pantone colour is under these object effects, transparency issues show up during printing. To avoid this, convert all your Pantone colours into CMYK before submitting your order.

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

The image is no longer transparent on top of the Pantone colour. White areas will show up during printing. To fix this issue, convert all your Pantone colours into CMYK. This must be done before submitting the order.

The last way Pantone colours can affect your order is the colour conversion between a Pantone colour and CMYK. If you use Pantone colours in a job that will print CMYK, your job might print with undesirable colours.

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

We offer 1/4" and 1/8" radius round corners to all of our customers. The image below shows the two different radiuses for comparison.

What is the difference between Digital Envelopes and Offset Envelopes?

Digital Envelopes are pre-converted and printed on high tech digital equipment.

Offset Envelopes are printed on offset gang runs, then die cut and converted to envelopes.

Both are printed on 70LB Premium Opaque stock.

How do I set up an Offset envelope?

1/16” overbleed and colour wrap onto the back of the envelope is required to allow for movement throughout the bindery process.

Artwork with bleed on face or print on any flaps must be placed on Sure Copy certified envelope templates.

Solid, full colour envelopes are recommended (to eliminate overbleed).

Intentional extension of flap colour onto envelope face is recommended.

Gradients are recommended for smoother colour transitions.

How do I set up a Digital Envelope?

The bleed required is 0.125" (0.0625" on each side).

Text and images should be at least 0.25" from the edge.

Artwork with more than 40% ink coverage must be submitted as an offset product.

Full colour backgrounds should be avoided.

Use a white backgrounds with low ink coverage (e.g. logo and text only).

Avoid or limit use of transparencies and gradients.

For window envelopes, the window area must be free of ink.

For Digital Envelopes:

- 4/0 = Full Colour Front

- 4/4 = Full Colour Front and Full Colour on Back Flaps

- 0/4 = Full Colour on Back flaps

Can I print on the back flaps of Digital Envelopes?

Yes. To get print on the back flaps only, choose 0/4. For print on the front and the back flaps, choose 4/4. Keep in mind, artwork with more than 40% ink coverage must be submitted as an offset product.

- 4/0 = Full Colour Front

- 4/4 = Full Colour Front and Full Colour on Back Flaps

- 0/4 = Full Colour on Back flaps

How do I set up a Digital Envelope with a window?

Follow Sure Copy certified templates for correct window placement.

DO NOT place artwork or colour on the window area. Keep images at least 1/8" inch away from the edge of the window. Digital Envelopes are pre-converted and have a plastic window adhered to the window area prior to printing. The window area must be blank.

What type of security features do Digital and Blank Envelopes with Security Tint have?

Security Tint Envelopes have a blue crisscross pattern on the inside of the envelope which distorts the message on the document enclosed within, which prevents the contents from being read or deciphered. For your convenience, they also come with a self adhesive strip.

Our 14pt Natural Cards are a light cream, natural white colour with a smooth finish. The stock has a minimum of 30% post-consumer waste content. Samples are available in our Sure Copy Trade Printing Sample kit.

Yes, Offset Letterheads can be imprinted on with inkjet and laser printers.

What are Suede Cards and how thick are they?

We start with 16pt stock as a base and apply 1.5mil soft velvet, scuff resistant laminate to both sides of the sheet for a total thickness of 19pt. The soft velvet lamination adds a soft supple look and feel, which softens colours, reduces contrast and gives an overall lighter, muted appearance.

Are Suede Cards water resistant or waterproof?

Suede Cards are water resistant, but not waterproof. This means the cards stand up well when they come in contact with a small amount of water, but cannot be submerged in water without water seeping into the card and causing damage. Please test your specific application to ensure the cards are appropriate for that use.

Is Suede a coating or a laminate?

The term “Suede” refers to the soft, supple texture of the cards, not the actual materials used. A soft velvet laminate is applied to both sides of the card to achieve a luxurious suede-like look and feel.

What material is Brown Kraft made of and is it recycled?

Brown Kraft paper is light brown with natural fibers and subtle visible flecks lending it a natural, organic look and feel. The uncoated smooth finish provides excellent print quality, while the coloured stock adds warmth and a rustic appeal to images. Optional white ink can be applied in specific areas or all over, giving you the flexibility to add contrast and brighten images. Brown Kraft is 100% recycled with a minimum of 30% post-consumer waste content.

Please be aware that recycled and coloured stocks may have slight colour variation due to the materials used to manufacture the paper. The flecks in the paper will also vary from sheet to sheet and press run to press run.

How do I set-up artwork for Brown Kraft cards with white ink?

Brown Kraft has the option to add white ink as an overprint. The white will be a base for the CMYK providing a bright white surface which will allow for vibrant, crisp colour. Areas without white ink will appear darker due to the colour of the stock.

Similar to Spot UV masks, White Mask files are separate from your artwork files. Black in the White Mask file indicates where white ink will be printed.

Make sure to create your mask file the same size as your artwork file. This will prevent alignment issues during printing.

Note: White Masks must be made in vector format and be saved as EPS or PDF. Please be aware that anything less than 100%K will be transparent and allow the brown stock to show through.

Use vector paths/shapes to create black colour areas that will indicate where the white ink base will go. The rest of the areas will show the Brown Kraft stock.

Remember the following when creating a white mask for your white ink base:

• White ink base will be printed behind any colour that’s in your Artwork Layer.
• Areas with colour but without a White Mask will be printed with colour directly on the material.
• Areas with colour and a White Mask will be printed as opaque or solid colour.
• Areas with a White Mask and no colour will be printed as white.

What types of Envelopes are available with Brown Kraft Greeting Cards and Announcement Cards?

Appropriately sized (A2, A6, A7) 80lb Brown Kraft blank envelopes are offered as an option with our Brown Kraft Greeting Cards and Announcement Cards.

How should I set up my file for proper rotation?

For a greeting card, please send your artwork as shown.

Are envelopes included with my Greeting card order?

You will be able to choose envelopes as an extra option.

What is 14pt Natural Paper?

14pt Natural Cards are a light cream, natural white colour with a smooth finish. The stock has a minimum of 30% post-consumer waste content. Samples are available in our Sure Copy Trade Printing Sample kit.

What envelopes are offered with 14pt Natural Paper?

Appropriately sized (A2, A6, A7, A9 and 6.5" square) 70lb Natural White Text blank envelopes are offered as an option with our Natural Greeting Cards and Announcement Cards.