Graphics, Artwork, and Text Information for Engraving
Set-Up Charge & Pricing
Sending the best graphic files possible will save us time to get your product to you quickly. Please note that if artwork needs to be created or your files need to be edited, it may affect production time. We calculate the turn-around time on your products with that in mind.
Our fonts are easy to choose--choose your font on your word processor for beautiful filled fonts as well as classic engraving fonts.
There is no set-up fee. Pricing of our products include engraving!
Designer
We now offer professional graphics design through our partnering company, Graphics Afoot. Logo and special artwork can be designed for your company or personal event and a price will be quoted to you before production.
Logos
Not every logo will functionally work with every gift. The first step is to submit the logo for consideration. We will evaluate the image file to determine whether it can be converted to an engravable image format. The ideal image format is a "one bit" vector image (.ai, .cdr, .wmf). If a "camera ready", black and white image is not available, please submit the best image available. Best meaning, the largest and cleanest. Web graphics do not normally convert or engrave well. Smooth lines make for cleaner conversion and cleaner engraving. Images may be submitted in .ai, .psd, .cdr, .wmf, .pdf, .bmp, .jpg, or .gif format, again we're looking for the best image available. There is fee if your logo must be "re-drawn" for digitizing. This will depend on the complexity of the logo, and we will be happy to quote you a price.
If you have done any print advertising, then the printer most likely has access to a quality image, which would be suitable for engraving. The ideal image format is a "one bit" vector image (.ai, .cdr, .wmf). If a "camera ready", black and white image is not available, please submit the best image available. Best meaning, the largest and cleanest. Web graphics do not normally convert or engrave well. Smooth lines make for cleaner conversion and cleaner engraving. Images may be submitted in .ai, .psd, .cdr, .wmf, .pdf, .bmp, .jpg, or .gif format, again we're looking for the best image available.
Another source to obtain a vector format is the original designer of the logo.
File Requirements
All artwork exchanged electronically should be of the highest possible quality. While .jpeg and .gif formats are usable, they are designed to be very small for fast delivery over the internet. This typically is not of sufficient quality to render a pleasing reproduction. Bitmap (.bmp or .tif) files are typically larger and not as highly compressed, allowing for better reproduction. We will attempt to clean the files to be vectorized for computer transfer to the engraving machine; however, this does not always render a good reproduction.
Digitizing for the engraving machine requires vector graphics (outlines only) and bitmaps are not a good source of outlines. The best possible source for obtaining your useable copy of a logo or artwork is the original design source or your printing company for any sales materials you may have done in the past.
We will call you if there is a problem with your design.
Recommended Programs
CorelDraw, Adobe Illustrator
Recommended File Types
.EPS (text as curves) .CDR (with text as curves, or fonts embedded)
AI (Adobe Illustrator) .DXF, .DWG (AutoCAD).
Acceptable File Types
.BMP, .TIF, .PDF, .JPG, .GIF, .PCX, .DOC, .EPS, .CDR, .AI, .EPS, .DXF, .DWG
Compressed bitmaps and bitmaps embedded in Microsoft Word documents usually do not reproduce well, but that does not mean we will not try to correct them. We are able to find the font used in any Microsoft Office to embed in your graphics. If you have MS Office, you can literally choose from hundreds or thousands of text styles. Please see our HELPFUL HINTS pages to help decide on basic text styles. We have hundreds of artwork files. If you tell us what you have in mind to engrave on your product, we can send you samples to approve.
If you are unsure about any of your graphics,
please give us a call at
(904) 477-0252.
