To ensure the highest print quality and maintain the integrity of your files, we strongly recommend submitting your files in .pdf (Portable Document Format) whenever possible.

Preferred Format:

.pdf (Portable Document Format): Ideal for preserving formatting and ensuring compatibility.

Other Acceptable Formats:

We can work with the following formats, though additional time or corrections may be needed to ensure print readiness. Converting these files to PDF is recommended to avoid delays or issues:

.psd (Adobe Photoshop)
.png (Portable Network Graphics)
.jpg or .jpeg (Joint Photographic Experts Group Format)
.pubx (Microsoft Publisher)
.pptx (Microsoft PowerPoint)
.docx (Microsoft Word)
.eps (Encapsulated Post Script)
.ai (Adobe Illustrator – Please provide entire folder with assets and fonts)

For the smoothest experience, save your files as .pdf whenever possible, and sized to the size you want printed.

A PDF (Portable Document Format) is a popular file format created by Adobe Systems to ensure documents look the same across different devices and platforms. PDFs preserve formatting, making them ideal for sharing, as they display consistently regardless of the software, hardware, or operating system used.

Key Features of PDFs:

• Platform Independence – Looks the same on Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile devices.
• Security Options – Supports encryption, password protection, and digital signatures.
• Compression – Reduces file size while maintaining quality.
• Interactive Elements – Can include hyperlinks, forms, buttons, and multimedia (audio/video).
• Searchable and Selectable Text – If created from text-based content (not just scanned images).
• Print-Friendly – Designed to retain formatting when printed.

For optimal printing, all color and grayscale documents, images, and graphics should be saved at 300 DPI (dots per inch). This is the standard for professional printing, ensuring sharp, detailed text and images. At 300 DPI, the human eye cannot see individual dots, resulting in a crisp, high-quality print.

Using a resolution higher than 300 DPI is unnecessary, as it will not improve print quality and will only increase file size and transfer time.

A bleed refers to the extra margin around your document where backgrounds or images extend beyond the final trim size. This ensures that when the document is cut, there are no unwanted white edges due to slight cutting misalignments.

To create a document with bleed, design it at the final trim size with an additional 1/8″ (0.125 inches) of image space on all sides. This makes your file 1/4″ larger than the final product size. For example, if your finished size is 8.5″ x 11″, your document with bleed should be 8.75″ x 11.25″.

When exporting, make sure the bleed area is included, and remember to add crop marks, which indicate where to trim the document.

Scoring is the process of creating a shallow cut or indentation along a fold line to prevent paper from cracking or tearing when folded. It is especially important for thicker paper or cardstock to ensure clean, smooth folds without damage.

For the best print quality, export your design from Canva as a PDF Print file. This format preserves image quality and ensures proper color and resolution for professional printing.  If you plan to have a bleed, remember to add crop marks, which indicate where to trim the document.

For optimal print results, use the CMYK color mode in your design software. CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) is the color model used in printing, ensuring your colors appear as intended in the final print.

The colors on your screen are displayed in RGB (Red, Green, Blue), which is used for digital screens, while printing uses CMYK. This difference in color models can cause variations in how colors appear between digital and printed versions. Additionally, factors like screen calibration, paper type, and printer settings can affect the final printed result.

White is not typically considered a printing color because it’s the color of the paper itself. In printing, white is the absence of ink, and any areas left unprinted will appear white, or the color of the paper being printed on.

Lead times vary depending on the job. You can find our current lead times on fastprint.colostate.edu in the blue banner. When placing your order, be sure to select a delivery date that aligns with our current lead time.

We offer two main types of paper thickness: cover and text. 

Cover paper is thicker and used for items like business cards, postcards, and covers that need extra durability.

Text paper is thinner and more flexible, ideal for documents, brochures, and materials that need to be easily folded or flipped through.  Paper weights refer to the thickness or rigidity of the paper—the lower the weight, the thinner and less rigid the paper.

After completing the order form, you will receive an email confirmation with your order ID number and order details. If you don’t receive the confirmation email, please contact us at [email protected].

Paper weight refers to the thickness and sturdiness of the paper. It’s typically measured in pounds (lbs) or grams per square meter (gsm).

• Lower weight (e.g., 20lb/75gsm): Lighter and thinner paper, ideal for everyday printing like letters or internal documents.
• Higher weight (e.g., 80lb/216gsm): Thicker, more rigid paper, often used for business cards, postcards, and covers that need to be durable.

The higher the weight, the thicker and more substantial the paper feels. For example, text weight papers are lighter and better for brochures or booklets, while cover weight papers are heavier and more suitable for items like business cards or postcards.

Kuali Account Number

When you place your online order, you will provide the Kuali account number you would like to use for the charges. 

Sub-Account, Sub-Object Code, Project Codes

If you need to specify a sub-account, a sub-object code, or a project code, you will need to include that in the comments section prior to submitting the webform.

We do not accept internal orders via Kuali.  Please do not submit an IO document for any print order.

We do not accept personal payments such as credit cards (including PCards), cash, or personal checks. 

If you have questions about the billing process, please email [email protected]. Include the order number, if referencing a specific order.