MousePads.com Digital Artwork Specifications 


Art Specification Art must be provided as output ready digital files. All file formats must be correctly sized and placed with all required elements present. 1/8 inch of bleed is required for backgrounds or images that are placed at the edge of the mouse pad. Please proofread your files - look at every word at a magnified view if possible. Most spell checkers do not recognize single letters and will not tell you if you used a correctly spelled wrong word (sea instead of see.) Print and send a proof if possible. Print separations from a postscript printer to make sure the image separates correctly and that overprints and knockouts print as expected. Prior to sending us your native file format, email us a PDF file so we may view what your art looks like. Then we can better advise you on how to send us your original artwork file. 


Software MAC & PC InDesign, QuarkXPress, Photoshop, Illustrator, Freehand, Corel Draw, 300 DPI TIFF, EPS, PDF Use TIFF format whenever possible - it is the easiest file format to color manage and print. gif, jpg, jpeg, pict, and bmp file formats are usually not acceptable (unless the jpeg file is high quality (300 dpi or higher). Web pages or web banners are not acceptable. 


Graphic File Format Submit an editable version of all files. Send the file in its native format if it is one of the programs we support. Include all graphic files (scans, pictures, placed images, etc.) Be sure to include all linked files along with your document. Photoshop files should be submitted in Photoshop (.PSD) extension especially if it has layers, or EPS or TIFF format (preferably TIFF and no less than 300 dpi resolution). Illustrator and Freehand should be saved with an .ai or .fh extension or in EPS format. The higher the resolution, the better the quality of the final printed product. 


Prepare your file for printing Include all fonts (outline/postscript/screen). Include all fonts. Check for missing or modified images. Include all placed image files. Make sure all graphics have the proper resolution (at least 300 dpi.) Make sure your color images are CMYK, not RGB. In order for your color images, type and objects to print correctly you need to change them to CMYK unless you are using Pantone colors. 


Color Colors should be designated as spot or CMYK process colors. Spot colors should be matched to the Pantone matching system (Coated version). PMS colors included in a CMYK print should be defined in CMYK terms unless they are to print as a separate additional color. Colors defined as RGB must be redefined as CMYK. Converting spot or RGB colors to CMYK may change the appearance of the color. A color output is necessary for any four color process (CMYK) imprint. Four color process (CMYK) Hard Surface pads require a calibrated color proof which must be generated from the submitted files. Four color process Classic Fabric pads require a color print which is used as a reference only, so a high quality color laser or inkjet output is sufficient if it meets your color expectations according to the digital file. The sublimation process on cloth is designed to create a representation of the image you want. Some variation from the color target is normal and expected. Because there may be dot gain in the sublimation process, when the art element is too small, there is a tendency for the dyes to fill in the reversed area. It would be advisable to keep your serif fonts at 18 point or greater, and sanserif fonts at 12 point bold or greater. All reversed lines should be 1.5 point or greater. All reversed type should be set bold, and add a .25 stroke to it if it is a serif font. 


Transfer Media CD, e-mail attachment (under 3Mb only) to artwork@mousepads.com, ftp transfer (call for details)