Ready to Print Files and Proofs

Above is an example of what your SilkCards proof will look like. This specific proof is for 1000 32pt suede business cards with a laser die cut, colored edges, two types of foil, embossing, and spot uv. If you’ve selected a colored edge, it will be noted at the very top of your proof. In this c...

Why Proof Approval is Important Your approval on your proof is everything. We print based off of the proof, as it lays out the print and add-ons for our machines. Each add-on has its own plate, and the plates are made once the order is approved. We do use gang-run printing, so once the plates ar...

This guide will go over the best methods to successfully set up your ready to print business card files. Each add-on should be showcased as a black masking of the area against a white background, separated from the printed section. The point is to make sure that each add-on needed is indicated c...

Vector Files Vector files are images that can be made infinitely large without losing quality. They most commonly are saved using .AI, .EPS, .PDF, or .SVG files. This allows for the best quality when printing, as all of the curves are able to be maintained. It also helps prevent pixelation on sm...

Resolution If you're planning to submit vector files, then you don't have to worry about the image resolution. Vector files offer the best print quality. More familiar with pixel files? No worries, just make sure that the image resolution is at 300 ppi and no less. Orders with low resolution fil...

Bleed is a printing term that means your image extends past the actual size of what you're printing. Bleed must extend past the cut-line and will be trimmed from the product during the final cutting phase. When the image is required to extend all the way to the edge, a 0.0625" (1/16") bleed sho...

Masking files are black and white images that show what areas on the cards will have a certain type of add-on. Here’s an example of what masking files look like: From left to right, there is the actual printed artwork, a mask for the embossing, and a mask for spot UV. With these files, the Sil...

Adobe Illustrator If you are using Illustrator for your files, we recommend that you outline your text. Sometimes during file creation,  a font may be used that our team doesn’t have access to. Outlining turns your text into an object so that the font you have selected is able to be used, and as...