Common Design Mistakes

1) Not Leaving A Bleed

please avoid this…

"Not Full Bleed" - Background is not fully extended to the edge. This will cause white strips to be around your card after it is cut. More information about the bleed zone and cutting tolerance is available here

do this instead…

Background extends all the way to the edge on both sides. Card will be trimmed properly.


2) Out Of Zone Printing

please avoid this…

"Out of Zone" - The text is outside of the safe zone. This information will be cut off. More information about the safe zone and cutting tolerance is available here

do this instead…

All the text and important graphics are well within the safe zone.
Background extends all the way to the bleed zone.


3) Pixelated Design Files

please avoid this…

"Pixelated" - Text and / or images are not print ready hi-resolution. Your files must be in 300 pixels / inch resolution. We do not recommend using web images for print.

do this instead…

File and images used are in proper print resolution specifications and will print correctly and clear.


4) Border design within the cutting margin

please avoid this…

"Borders" - We do not recommend borders due to the nature of our cutting. You will need to either remove the border, or put them well inside the safe zone. Do not place a border on the trim or bleed zone, it will be cut off or removed.

do this instead…

Border, if desired, is placed well inside the safety zone.


5) Uploading A Blank File Without Text Or Images

please avoid this…

"Blank Card" - Created or uploaded card with no text, images, or any other information.

do this instead…

All text and images were correctly created.


6) Designing Or Uploading A File Without Text

please avoid this…

"No Text" - Created or uploaded card with no text.

do this instead…

All text information is present and correct.


7) Designing Or Uploading A File With Incorrect Crop Marks

please avoid this…

"Crop Marks" - Incorrectly placed or unnecessary crop marks will cause your image to upload incorrectly. Only Illustrator or PDF files require crop marks if created on larger than spec artboards.

do this instead…

Correctly used Crop Marks or removing them will allow file to be uploaded correctly for print.