Art Guidlines

Electronic art delivery can be confusing, but it really does make a significant difference in the final quality of your product. Your company's logo and identity should be consistent, high-quality and sharp. If you follow these easy steps, we can help you get there.

Value Added accepts camera-ready artwork, which is professionally prepared in an acceptable format. It should be free of defects and will be used directly from the source provided without alteration. Camera-ready artwork may be provided in electronic or printed formats using the following guidelines : 

Electronic Artwork Guidelines
We accept PC format files from the following applications or in the following file types: Illustrator CS3, PhotoShop CS3, InDesign CS3, Quark, CorelDraw 9.0, Adobe PDF or as a TIFF, EPS or WMF.
E-mail to art@valueaddedbiz.com
Acceptable media includes CD-ROM or DVD disks.
Must be at least 300 dpi or higher.
All text must be converted to curves and/or paths.
Spot colors should be represented using the Pantone Matching System.
Four-color process art should be sent with colors as CMYK based colors.
Compressed files may be sent using WinZip software.

Printed Artwork Guidelines
Laser printed in black on glossy, white 8.5" x 11" paper at a minimum of 600 dpi.
Artwork with more than one color must be color separated (each color printed on a separate glossy, white 8.5" x 11" page in black) with registration marks.
Text and/or object size, screens, halftones and general printability vary by order and product. Any alteration(s) to artwork will be communicated to the client. Value Added reserves the right to determine what is acceptable camera-ready artwork. Artwork that has been faxed or copied is not camera-ready. Artwork may require reworking or re-creation regardless of the form supplied . Please contact Value Added to receive on hourly rate for artwork and design services.

Artwork Proofs
All artwork requires final proofing and approval by the client. Clients will be instructed to carefully review artwork for informational, grammatical, graphical, technical, physical and process correctness. All orders completed with client artwork approval are the responsibility of the client.

Trademarks, Copyrights and Licensing 
Value Added produces orders to client specifications. The client agrees to assume any liability occurred from any actions or demands brought against Value Added for infringement. The client has sole responsibility for symbols and marks used in artwork production.

File Format Types

Files are generally either vector based or pixel based (raster). Vector based files are basically math that the computer knows so the file resolution is based on the quality of your output device. Raster files are made up of millions of little pixels. These files have a resolution (based on the size of the pixel) so as you make the image larger, the pixels get larger. Adobe Illustrator is a vector based program and Adobe Photoshop is a raster based program.

There are many formats that are universally accepted by most, if not all, programs. The following list is by no means all of the file formats, but the ones you will probably encounter.

EPS
Encapsulated PostScript language file. This is a very universal format that can contain both vector and bitmap graphic images. EPS files can be opened in Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop (the image is rasterized as opened ), Freehand and other programs (MAC or PC).

TIFF
Tagged Image File Format. This is a pixel based raster file that is also a very universal format for scans and images saved in Adobe Photoshop. Corel Draw can Import a TIF file and if you are using Corel Draw 8.0 you can lighten, sharpen and do other image manipulations but you CAN'T click on specific colors, break apart, and do other manipulations you can do a vector based format.

AI
Adobe Illustrator native format. If you plan on sending your Illustrator file to someone, make sure that the versions are compatible, as older software versions won't open files created in newer versions. 

CDR
Corel Draw native format. Very specific to Corel Draw only. If you plan on using the file outside of Corel, make sure to export the file as an EPS (for a vector based program like Adobe Illustrator), or as a TIF for a pixel based program like Adobe Photoshop.

PSD
Adobe Photoshop file. A Photoshop native format that most programs will open or import.

JPG (JPEG)
The Joint Photographic Experts Group compression format. This is actually a compression format that can take a 20 megabyte file down to 500K. It is known as a loosy format, in that, there can be a loss of information and file quality. JPG files are generally used for web graphics or when sending files over the internet. You can specify the degree of file quality when saving a JPG file. You should try not to use this format unless you absolutely have to.

PDF
Portable Document Format.  These files are able to be opened by most programs. PDF's can be both vector and raster.

GIF
Graphic Interchange Format. This format is commonly used for web graphics.

BMP
Standard Windows Image Format for pixel based images. You will find some of the inexpensive clipart in BMP format. Not a very popular format.

WMF
Windows Metafile Format. This is a vector based format that, like EPS, allows you to scale an image larger in Corel Draw without losing quality.

If you have any questions about artwork delivery, please contact us. Our associates will also give you details at the time of service.