Artwork Guidelines
3R Promotions utilizes state-of-the-art dye sublimation technology in its printing process. To avoid additional charges and potential delays, art must be in the form of output-ready digital files and should conform to the art specifications listed below and on the Art Checklist.
Art Specifications: Art must be output-ready digital files and should conform to the art specifications found in the Art Checklist. Changes made after production begins will incur additional charges.
Color Target: Send samples of printing or items to match for color when your order is placed.
Art Services: Any time art must be created or modified, art services will be billed at $75/v per hour.
FREE PDF "PAPER" Proof: When the FREE PDF "Paper" Proof is sent for "reference ONLY", it means production will begin without waiting for PDF proof approval. This PDF is not an accurate color proof – use for design reference only.
Production Proof: $225.00/v. Production proofs are recommended whenever color matching is critical and may be required on larger orders.
Registration: Please allow ±1/16" registration variance of the print to the product perimeter.
Email & FTP: Submit files smaller than 3Mb via email to your Product Specialist. Submit files up to 80Mb on our upload page Remember to also send a printed sample of what you expect the art to look like. See the Art Checklist for details on art submission.
Borders: When art includes a border or other art element that runs parallel to the counter mat’s edges, the eye can distinguish slight variations in print positioning. For this reason, the use of a border is not recommended because the nature of manufacturing limits registration capabilities to ±1/16".
Dye Sublimation: Sublimation is a specialized process that prints special heat activated inks on a transfer paper. Heat and pressure are applied to the transfer paper, causing the ink to turn into a gas dye, which then sublimates into the fabric. Once the image is transferred from the paper to the fabric, it is permanent and washable. This heat activated ink transfer process produces a 100% to 400% dot gain, which impacts all reversed or "knocked out" art. When reversed elements are too small, the dot gain may fill in the reversed area or eliminate it completely. For this reason, we recommend all reversed type be set to bold. Serif fonts such as Times should be set at 18 point or greater and sans serif fonts like Helvetica should be set at 12 point or greater. All reversed lines should be 1.5 points or greater. Image resolution should be 300ppi.
During the sublimation printing process, a color target is used as a reference only. Color variation from a color target is normal and expected. When color is critical, we recommend a production proof.
All counter mats are initially cut to ordered size. However, since the fabric counter mats have a natural rubber base and the sublimation process uses high heat and pressure, the dimensions of the final product may vary from ordered size. This shrinkage and/or growth is a normal and expected effect of the sublimation process.
Color Conversion: Colors should be defined as either spot or CMYK (4-Color Process). Converting spot or RGB colors to CMYK will change the appearance of the color, sometimes dramatically.
Copyrights: Customers warrant that all images supplied for reproduction, whether digital, conventional or otherwise, are unencumbered by copyright and other usage rights connected to the image(s) and agree to hold harmless and indemnify 3R Productions for all claims and expenses for any actions in law that may result from the use of these images.
Separations, Files, Plates, & Dies: All separations, digital files, plates, and dies created by 3R Promotions remain 3R Promotions’ property. Our storage policy is to keep these materials on file for 24 months. After 24 months, reorders are treated as new jobs and require new art and set-ups. Original art is returned on request.