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IMPORTANT: Please read the following information if you have yet to create your artwork.
Preparing Your Own Sticker File
Software
Design your bumper sticker using your favorite software (for example: PowerPoint, Corel Draw, Illustrator, Photoshop).
Upload your file in one of these formats: .PPT .PPTX .CDR .BMP .GIF .JPG .TIF .PSD .PUB .PDF .SIT .AI .EPS .PNG
See Image File Formats for more detailed information.
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 |
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.
Colors
Use bright, solid, contrasting colors and avoid subtle shades for the best result.
See What Colors Work Best for more detailed information.
Image File Formats
Bitmap Graphics (photos/ images)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 (vector graphics)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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What Colors Work Best
BestFor 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%. |
AlternativeHalftones 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. |
BadCertain colors such as grey, brown, some blues, and purples will not print well. |
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