Preferred File Types:
TIFF (TIF) files are excellent for any kind of photo or image because they maintain quality. Save them with LZW compression, which minimizes file size but does not degrade image quality. An 18x24 Photoshop file at 300 dpi will compress from 113 meg to 36.8 Meg with LZW Compression. A poster design with a lot of white space will compress from 75 meg to 5 Meg.
If you have manipulated an image, or have many layers, you can print with maximum quality and minimize file size this way:
- Bring the file to 1/3 final size or larger (including resolution). There is no reason to save TIFF files for printing at more than 300 dpi, as it takes up more file space, but does not have a visible effect on the printed product. Flatten the layers (i.e, save with without layers)
- Save with LZW compression.
JPEG (JPG) files, especially files directly from your camera, can produce excellent prints.
- Set your camera to produce its best quality image (largest file size), saved with best quality ("fine" or "superfine" or equivalent).
- If you manipulate or crop an image in any way, be sure to save it at print resolution (300 dpi) with maximum quality (large file size), or save it as a TIFF.
Default settings on many image or email programs assume that you are saving a JPEG for email or web pages. These programs shrink the picture, and make the file size smaller for quick download. It looks good on your computer screen, but this process permanently removes detail, and introduces noise (compression artifacts) that cannot be removed. Small web and email images generally do not enlarge well as a result of this process.
PDF files work very well for images that mix text and graphics, or are just text. The text retains its ability to enlarge very cleanly, and we do not need to have the font on our system.
- When saving as a PDF from a drawing program (especially CorelDraw), be sure to save text as lines, not as a font. Make sure that the print boundaries are marked in some way so that we know what you intend to print. We normally will cut to the color, or obvious design. Please include special instructions or crop lines if this is not the case.
- PDF format is not recommended for images that contain only photos, as the photos may lose quality. Submit photos as JPEG's or TIFFs.
AI or EPS Vector files created with a drawing program--Adobe Illustrator AI or EPS, Photoshop EPSfiles--enlarge cleanly at least six times and are an excellent way to submit logos for banners or large posters.
- Embed fonts and photos used in the file, or send us the font files and photos separately. Use high-resolution photos. When using Adobe Illustrator, be sure that the art board box contains your entire image. Also, be sure to save the image as PDF compatible. Low-resolution JPEG (raster) images saved as EPS (or any other vector type) files still will not enlarge well because the image does not have any more information than it did before. The file must be created as a drawing to benefit from the vector file type.
- Vector files can be very large for complex, high-resolution designs, and may exceed the ePingo upload size limits. If you run into this problem, consider converting the design to aTIFF for printing purposes.
Other formats we accept:
PNG files can produce excellent prints if the image was created at high resolution. They are best for images with large areas of the same color, such as clip art. PNG is not recommended for photos or images with color gradients because color gradients will be converted to bands of similar colors. The images are compressed with no loss of quality. Photoshop PSD files can enlarge well.
- Make sure photos in the file are high resolution. Be sure to send along any font files that are unique to your design, or save the file as a PDF.
- If the file size is too large to conveniently upload, bring it to 1/3 final size, flatten it, and save as a TIF with LZW compression. It should be considerably smaller.
Microsoft Publisher PUB files can enlarge very well, especially if the photos included in the file are high resolution and/or the clip art is WMF format. If you are using basic fonts, just send us the Publisher file. If you are using some unusual fonts, please use one of these options:
- Embed the fonts (under the “tools” menu), and send us the Publisher file. This won't work with copyrighted fonts. Send us the font file along with the Publisher file. This is allowed under copyright laws.
- Convert the file to another type. Before converting, make sure that your design fits in the page size you've set, or it may get cut off.
- Printing to a PDF file format will maintain the best text quality; just be sure to set the PDF page size large enough to contain your Publisher page. Depending on your design, saving as TIFF or JPEG can also work well if you set the resolution to commercial printing (300 dpi) when you save. View the PDF, TIFF or JPEG file before you upload to ePingo to make sure it is correct.
- Please also check that the print boundaries are correctly represented. If you have concerns, please let us know in the special instructions area.
Microsoft PowerPoint PPT files can enlarge very well.
- If your file contains drawings and standard fonts, just submit the PowerPoint. Converting it to a TIFF or JPEG tends to produce very poor quality text, and jagged drawings. Photos in the file should be high-resolution images.
- If your slide only contains a photo, please submit the photo separately as a TIFF or JPEG to maintain quality.
Microsoft Word DOC files are best used for pure text, or for giving us a design layout.
- If you are using basic fonts, the text should enlarge cleanly to just about any size you need. If you are using one or more unusual fonts, please send us the font(s), or create a PDF. Photos included in a Word file lose quality when enlarged. If you are giving us a design layout, please upload high-resolution versions of the photos you would like to include to the same album.
- If you only wish to print photos, please do not place them in a Word file; submit them asJPEG's or TIFFs.