Design templates for all of our products are located here.
All downloads include templates in Adobe Photoshop. Illustrator, and .PDF formats. They will provide you with the notes and guidelines necessary, including document size, bleed requirements, safe area indications, cut and fold lines, for designing your artwork to our exact specifications.
Once you make your selections and name the project, you will be asked to add your artwork in the following step.
The following options will be presented;
- "Artwork is complete and ready to be uploaded" - You have downloaded our design templates, completed your artwork to our specifications and simply need to upload it.
- "Use previously uploaded artwork from My Account" - Use completed artwork, that has already been uploaded to your account and has been completed to our specifications.
- "Design online" - You don't have access to offline design software and would like to assemble a basic layout using your own images, our royalty-free stock images and our online text tool.
- "No Artwork" - This surface will be blank.
Once a file is uploaded you will have the option to zoom in on the uploaded artwork, clear your artwork, or continue to the next step.
You can save your project at any time and return later to make artwork revisions or to place an order.
File Requirements and Preparation
Accepted File Formats: .PDF, .BMP and .JPG
Color Mode: Files will be accepted in either CMYK mode. Final printing will be in CMYK, be sure to check for color shifts if submitting RGB files. (Note: Zoom previews may experience some color shifting on screen for CMYK files, the .PDF proofs provided on the approval page will reflect an accurate representation)
Resolution: 300dpi, .PDF - Press Quality settings .JPG - Maximum Quality settings .BMP - Default settings
Fonts: Rasterize, flatten, or outline all fonts before saving your final file for uploading
Templates: Delete all template, guideline and note layers before saving your final file for uploading
*For color matching, PMS colors, and all other special handling requests, contact us prior to placing your order.
CD and DVD Disc Surface
Disc surface color and finish will vary depending on production type chosen. Duplication orders generally employ high resolution ink jet or thermal transfer printing methods while Replication orders will utilize offset or silkscreen printing.
Color on Silver Setup and Notes
Duplication Orders: Color values for silver areas should be CMYK: 0, 0, 0, 0. Disc silver / transparent areas should have no color value at all. The duplication printing equipment searches for any color value and will print white if detected. It's recommended that you upload your file as either a press-quality .PDF or .BMP file, .JPG files leave artifacts of color that will end up printing white.
To confirm which parts are disc silver and/or white, click the "Zoom" button to preview your disc surface. Silver portions of your design will be displayed as a grey and white checkerboard pattern
Replication Orders: An illustrator .PDF containing vector artwork is preferred, with the fonts converted to outlines and press-quality settings. If white ink is required you will need to create a new spot color named "white ink", the color values can be of your choosing, everything seen on screen as white will be disc silver.
*The website is unable to detect PMS / spot colors in uploaded files. If your file contains, PMS colors, contact us prior to placing your order.
Contact us if you are unsure how to setup your project.
Black on Silver / Black on White Setup and Notes
Because of equipment limitations and processing guidelines, your artwork should be limited to black text and minimal coverage line art and logos. If your design includes large solid areas of black (e.g. white text with black background or larger blocks of black), you must choose "Full Color" or "Color on Silver" as your disc surface selection to ensure best results.
Contact us if you are unsure how to setup your project.
Design Online (CD and DVD Projects only)
Free Images
If you don't have your own images feel free to browse our library of royalty-free images. Simply choose a category and click on the image you want to use. Do not attempt to use any of these images if you choose "color on silver" for your disc surface.
My Artwork
You can also access previously uploaded artwork that is already in your account. Choose this option and your library of .BMP and .JPG images will be available for selection. You can also add new images to your account by clicking the "Upload Artwork" button and selecting your file.
*.PDF files and images in CMYK color mode are not currently supported by the "Design Online" option.
Adjusting Image Size and Placement
Select the layer you want to adjust by clicking on the mini-image in the layers list on the right. You'll see options available to reposition and scale the layer at the bottom of the page. Click (do not drag) on the design area to reposition and image (you may have to uncheck "Keep layer centered horzontally / vertically"), or enter scaling adjustments and click the "Update" button to see those adjustments. Enlarging an image past 100% of original size, will typically result in lower quality printing. It is best to avoid enlarging images if possible.
Adding and Adjusting Text Layers
Select "Text" on the left side of the page, enter your text in the box indicated, and make selections from the color, size, and font menus. Click "Create Layer" to see the text on the design surface and layer of text appear in the layers list at the top right of the page. To reposition your text, click anywhere on the design surface and the text will reposition. Checking the "Keep layer centered horizontally / vertically" boxes will center the text respectively. Click on "Update" to apply any changes.
Add a new text layer for each line of text with a different font, size, color, or location. This will allow you to modify specific text without affecting other text layers. To edit a text layer, click on the "T" image in the layers list that corresponds to the text you want to edit or move. All paragraphs of text are left justified, for centered or right-justified text, you can create a new text layer for each line of text, alternatively adding leading spaces within a text block to adjust alignment. Use the "Zoom" link to be sure you are satisfied with the placement.
Once you make your selections and name the project, you will be asked to add your artwork in the following step.
The following options will be presented;
- "Artwork is complete and ready to be uploaded" - You have completed your artwork to our file requirements and simply need to upload it.
- "Use previously uploaded artwork from My Account" - Use completed artwork, that has already been uploaded to your account and has been completed to our specifications.
- "No Artwork" - This surface will be blank.
You can also drag and drop (Firefox, Chrome or Safari) your file onto the indicated area to add your artwork. Adjust the position and scaling of your image as necessary before continuing.
You can save your project at any time and return later to make artwork revisions or to place an order.
File Requirements and Preparation
Full Color Artwork: .PDF, .PNG, .JPG, and .BMP files are accepted for full color printing in either CMYK or RGB color mode. Final printing will be in CMYK, be sure to check for color shifts if submitting RGB files. Rasterize all fonts before saving your final file for uploading.
Color Mode: Files will be accepted in either CMYK or RGB mode. Final printing will be in CMYK, be sure to check for color shifts if submitting RGB files. (Note: Zoom previews may experience some color shifting on screen for CMYK files, the .PDF proofs provided on the approval page will reflect an accurate representation)
Resolution: 300dpi, .PDF - Press Quality settings .PNG - Default settings
.JPG - Maximum Quality settings .BMP - Default settingsPMS / Spot Colors Projects requiring PMS / Spot colors must be submitted as a Illustrator .PDF (vector artwork), with PMS colors assigned. Outline all fonts before saving your final file for uploading. Projects requiring PMS colors with artwork submitted as full color will be delayed, additional artwork fees may apply.
Save your .PDF with Press Quality settings
Once you make your selections and name the project, you will be asked to add your artwork in the following step.
The following options will be presented;
- "Upload New" - You have downloaded our design templates, completed your artwork to our specifications and simply need to upload it.
- "My Artwork" - Use completed artwork, that has already been uploaded to your account and has been completed to our specifications.
Design templates for all of our products are located here.
All downloads include templates in Adobe Photoshop. Illustrator, and .PDF formats. They will provide you with the notes and guidelines necessary, including document size, bleed requirements, safe area indications, cut and fold lines, for designing your artwork to our exact specifications.
You will be provided with high-resolution .PDF proofs online for all CD, DVD, and USB flash drive projects.
For poster, card and flyer projects you will only have the capability to zoom in on your uploaded artwork to verify placement online.
How to Proof:
- Click the PDF Proof link(s) to download and review high-resolution proofs of your artwork.
- Ensure your artwork displays the desired image quality and content including, but not limited to: resolution, contrast, position, placement, spelling and readability. By approving your artwork you understand that production may start as soon as you submit your order.
- For CD and DVD projects, the outermost blue line indicates the Bleed Area. Make sure your design extends to this line. Failing to provide bleed will result in a finished product with a thin border of white unprinted area on some or all of the edges.
- The Safe Area is highlighted by the solid green line. Keep text and other important parts of your design, image, or photo inside this area. Anything falling outside the safe area risks being cut off during trimming.
- If uploading completed artwork, delete all template and notes layers prior to upload. We cannot remove them afterwards, they will be printed on your final product.
- The printed colors you receive may not exactly match the color you see on your screen due to differences in how color is represented on monitors versus actual print. The printing process is precise, but there are still slight inconsistencies that need to be accommodated for. We cannot guarantee an exact color match.
- If you are ordering CDs or DVDs and packaging; The processes and materials used for printing on the disc surface differ than those used when printing inserts and other printed packaging. We cannot guarantee an exact color match between all components of your order.
- Ensure that you are in compliance with our Intellectual Property Rights Policy (view policy).
*If you have specific requirements or are concerned about color matching, we suggest you order a physical proof. To do this, contact a sales representative during normal business hours prior to placing your order. Pricing will vary depending on product type. If you are interested in a proof, you must contact a sales representative, do not place a single unit order as a proof as production methods change depending on order details.
Once you select your apparel or merchandise product, you will be asked to add your artwork. You may browse to find your file or drag and drop (Firefox, Chrome or Safari) your file onto the indicated area to add your artwork. Adjust the position and scaling of your image as necessary before continuing. For certain product categories, we also offer clip art and text tools, which you may use to design your artwork or combine with your artwork assets.
We accept PDF, .PNG, .JPG, and .BMP files, however we strongly prefer artwork in vector PDF format. You will be able to review a virtual mockup (PDF proof) of your customized product after you add your artwork. Please be sure uploaded images are high resolution; low resolution artwork will negatively impact the quality and accuracy of your product printing or embroidery.
Note that the cost of silk screening (which is used for most of our apparel, bags and drinkware products) is based on both your order quantity and the number of colors in your design, so be mindful of how many colors to include in your design particularly for smaller quantity orders. The cost for embroidery (used for hats and available with certain bags and apparel products) is not impacted by the number of colors; however embroidery cost is based on stitch count, which in turn is based on the size and density of your design.
Please contact us if you have more detailed questions about file formats and artwork for your merchandise projects.