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IMPORTANT: Please read the following information if you have yet to create your artwork.
Image File Formats
| Bitmap Graphics (photos/ images) |
Object-Oriented Graphics (vector graphics) |
| Bitmaps are comprised from a series of small square dots (pixels). Depending on the format of the particular bitmap, each of these dots can be black, white, some particular color, or a shade of gray. |
Object-oriented graphics are not comprised of a series of dots. They are a set of instructions that tell the computer to draw lines, polygons, and so on. Such a file is basically an equation for generating the image, rather than the actual pixel by pixel representation. |
| Software Examples: Microsoft Paint, Adobe Photoshop, Print Shop Pro |
Software Examples: Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw |
Limitations:
- Enlarging a bitmap will decrease the quality. If resizing a graphic, keep it proportionate to minimize distortion.
- Bitmap graphics can be very large. Scanned bitmaps over 300 dpi (dots per inch) can easily exceed 1 megabyte (MB).
- Bitmaps do not typically output at as high of a resolution as an equivalent object-oriented graphic format. They are limited by the initial resolution at which they were created. In most cases, this is no better than the screen resolution, 75 DPI for VGA, unless the image was scanned.
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Advantages:
- Object-oriented graphics can be resized without distorting the image and enlarged without losing quality. They are generated by a formula; therefore, the application can recalculate the formula to compensate for the change in size.
- Object-oriented graphic files are much smaller in size.
- They output at the highest resolution supported by the output device. In other words, if you send an object-oriented graphic to a 1024 x 1024 resolution printer, the graphic would recalculate and output at that resolution.
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Resolution
Stickers are printed at 300 dpi resolution. Sending a file at a higher resolution than 300 dpi will not result in better output.
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| 300 dpi example |
72 dpi example |
What Colors Work Best
| Best |
Alternative |
Bad |
| For best results use bright, solid, contrasting colors and avoid subtle shades. Colors that look best include combinations of 100% process colors like Red, Royal Blue, Green, Yellow, Magenta, Process Blue, Black, and of course, White. You can check the color values (RGB or CMYK) which ideally should be all either 0 or 100%. |
Halftones and Gradients - Because we are using pigments that resist fading, we use a somewhat more coarse halftone screen (80 lpi) than would normally be used in offset printing. Our stickers are designed for "bumper view." You may notice dithering (or tiny dots) up-close as this is a result of a solid ink process, not that of a conventional home inkjet printer. Some gradients may also come out poorly. |
Certain colors such as grey, brown, some blues, and purples will not print well. |

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Preparing Your Own Sticker File
Software
Design your bumper sticker using your favorite software (for example: PowerPoint, Corel Draw, Illustrator, Photoshop) and upload the file to us using the option A link below.
Page Size
Be sure to set the page size of your file to match the exact size of the sticker. We offer the following sizes:
- 3" x 10" rectangle
- 3" x 5" rectangle
- 4" x 6" oval
- 3" x 4.5" oval
- 2" x 3" oval
- 3" circle
Orientation
Your sticker can be made in either portrait or landscape.
We will enlarge your file as big as possible to fit the sticker.
Upload Your File
There are TWO WAYS we can use your uploaded file... (Choose option A or B)
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A. I've designed my own sticker. Print my file as-is.

- You are NOT using our templates.
- You won't be able to see an online preview because we assume you looked at your file before sending it to us.
- If we can't use the file for some reason, we'll let you know right away.
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B. I want to use my graphic in a template.

- You will be able to upload image files to your personal image library.
- You will need to login with your email address and password to upload images and maintain your image library.
- Once an image is in your library, you can use it in any of the templates with room for an uploaded graphic.
- You can send .jpg .gif or .bmp files.
- Files can be up to 4MB in size.
- If you have any questions about the new image library, email us at orders@graphicsland.com or call us at 800-347-2744.
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