Uploading Artwork Files

• Can I upload files before placing an order?
• What happens after I upload my files?
• How long will it take to upload my files?
• How will the final printed job compare to my uploaded artwork file?
• How do I know if my files are uploaded successfully?
• Will there be any loss in quality if I upload my artwork file instead of mailing it on a disk?
• How long will GTI SmART Print save my files?
• What is the maximum file size that I can upload?
• Can I use an uploaded artwork file for multiple print jobs?
• Is the uploading process different for multi-page catalog/book/calendar files?
• What file formats are acceptable?
• What is the difference between RGB and CMYK, and why is it important?
• What are print-ready files?
• What is automated preflighting, and why is it important?

Artwork File Uploading Tips

• How do I know if my files are ready to upload?
• Are certain file formats better than others to upload?
• I already uploaded my files. Why does my job still say, “On hold, need artwork”?
• What is a preflighting error message?
• What if my file has low resolution images?
• What resolution is needed for my files?
• What if my file is missing fonts, and how do I correct it?
• How do I convert text to outlines?
• Will my files be converted to CMYK during uploading?
• What are file extensions?
• What are file formats?
• What is an .eps?
• What is a .pdf?
• What is a .ps?
• What is .psd?
• What is a .jpeg?
• What is a .tiff?

Other File Submission Methods

• Are there any alternatives to uploading my files?
• Can I mail my files to GTI SmART Print?
• Can I e-mail my files to GTI SmART Print?
• What if I can’t upload my files?

You can upload any time by clicking on “My Files” at the top of any page on our Web site. Then, you can log in to your account and follow the instructions for uploading new files. If you don’t have a GTI SmART Print account, you’ll need to take a moment to register.

After your files have been uploaded successfully to GTI SmART Print, you’re ready to preview and approve all files needed to print your job. The approval step, which can be done while viewing a specific order on the “My Orders” page, is the last step before GTI SmART Print begins working on your print job.

It depends on your file size, the number of files you’re uploading, your connection speed (broadband v. dialup), and other programs running on your computer. A small file can be uploaded in less than a minute, while a large 50 MB file may take 20 minutes to upload.

For best results, we recommend uploading files using our standard upload process when no other programs are open on your computer.

If you have a large file, larger than 25 MB, we recommend you initiate the upload process by clicking the “My Files” button at the top of any page on our Web site. Then, you can log in to your account and follow the instructions for uploading the file by itself using “Add Multiple Files.” If you don’t have a GTI SmART Print account, you’ll need to register at this time.

As with any printer, the color may vary, depending on how you submitted your files and whether you selected a hardcopy proof with your printing job. The color on the screen is not guaranteed to match the finished product, as every monitor can be calibrated differently, and screen colors are represented in RGB. The color mode of submitted files must be CMYK to maximize color quality. If your files are submitted using any other color standard, such as RGB or Pantone, they’ll be converted to CMYK during preflighting. Conversion from one color standard to another may cause colors to shift, causing the printed job to deviate from your intent. That’s why we encourage you to select hardcopy proofs if color is critical to the success of your printed product.

You can check the status of uploaded files by logging in to your GTI SmART Print account. Click “My Files” button, and you can review the status of your uploaded files.

No, there is no difference in file quality if you upload your artwork. However, the file submission method you select may impact your turnaround time for your print job.

If you mail us a disk, we highly recommend clearly indicating the order number on your disk and mailing your materials overnight, as this will speed up the start of your job. Please note that turnaround time for your print job begins once your order has been placed and your print-ready files have been uploaded, attached and approved. If you ordered a proof, your turnaround begins when we receive approval of your proof.

Your artwork files will remain in the “My Files” section of your account for at least 60 days. You can access your GTI SmART Print account easily by clicking “My Account” at the top of any page on our site. You will need logged in to your account before any account information is displayed. Only registered GTI SmART Print users have an account.

There’s no limit to the size of the file you can upload. Just remember, the larger the file, the more time is needed to upload it.

Yes. Once a file is uploaded, you can use it for as many print jobs as you want. To do this, you need to attach the uploaded file to specific jobs. For example, you may want to use the same artwork file for the backside of every postcard you print and mail.

Please note that we may need to delete some of your files if you exceed the 750 MB storage limit and fail to delete any files to lower the amount of file storage space needed for your GTI SmART Print account.

No. You can initiate the upload process during the ordering process or by clicking “My Files” at the top of any page on our Web site. Then, you can log in to your account and follow the instructions for uploading new files. If you don’t have a GTI SmART Print account, you’ll need to register at this time.

Please note that before uploading a multi-page booklet or calendar file, be careful that you have followed our instructions for setting up your file properly.

GTI SmART Print accepts print-ready files in any of the following formats: .eps, .jpeg, .pdf, .ps, .psd, or .tiff.

Please note that if you have an artwork file in any other format, we encourage you to create a PDF file (Acrobat 4, version 1.3) that can then be uploaded to GTI SmART Print.

RGB is used in monitors, TVs and computer screens. It refers to the primary colors of light – red, green and blue.

CMYK refers to the primary colors of ink pigment – cyan, magenta, yellow and black. These are used in four-color process printing.

RGB color combinations can’t be exactly reproduced if your file is converted to CMYK using automated preflighting. If your artwork is created in RGB, we strongly recommend that you convert your file to CMYK before uploading. You may need to do some color corrections to the file to match your colors as closely to the original colors you desired.

Print-ready files are artwork files that contain all fonts and images that are 100% ready to print, requiring no additional adjustments by GTI SmART Print other than visual preflighting and standard prepress work. GTI SmART Print accepts files in these formats: .eps, .jpeg, .pdf, .ps, .psd, and .tiff.

Automated preflighting is a procedure used by GTI SmART Print to make sure your artwork files are print-ready. During this process, we check image resolution and fonts, create CMYK normalized .pdf files, and create a .jpeg for previewing. If we identify any problems with your files during automated preflighting, we will let you know about the issues and recommend possible solutions.

Automated preflighting will not check for layout, bleed, folding and safety zone.

There are several things to check before uploading. Please check your files for image resolution, bleeds, fonts and text. Your files must be submitted at the correct size, including bleeds. Makes sure that all text is at least 1/8 inch away from the cut line and that all images and text are at least 300 dpi for rasterized images.

If you need extra help, the GTI SmART Print Design Group can help you for an affordably and quickly.

GTI SmART Print accepts print-ready files in any of these formats: .eps, .jpeg, .pdf, .ps, .psd, and .tiff. If you have an artwork in any other format, we encourage you to create a .pdf file (Acrobat 4, version 1.3) that can be uploaded to GTI SmART Print.

After you upload your files, you’ll need to attach the files to a specific print job. To do this, you need to access an active order in “My Orders.” Just click on “My Orders at the top of any page on our Web site. Then, find a print job that still needs artwork attached, attach the artwork, and approve the job for printing.

Please note that you’ll need to be logged in with your e-mail address and password before you can view any account information.

We’ll send you a preflighting error message if we detect a problem with your file during uploading. Automated preflighting helps GTI SmART Print provide you with the best possible printing quality by checking your files thoroughly before your print job is sent to press.

Some common preflighting errors include low image resolution and missing fonts.

Low resolution images are usually anywhere from 72 to 250 dpi (dots per inch). We recommend replacing these with an image of at least 300 dpi to ensure quality printing. To replace low resolution files, you’ll need to open your file with your design software program and replace the low resolution images with images that have a resolution of at least 300 dpi.

Since resolution impacts printing quality and the sharpness of your artwork, we recommend 300 dpi (dots per inch) as the minimum resolution to guarantee acceptable printing results. For larger print jobs, such as large posters and banners, we recommend sharper resolution, up to 1200 dpi, depending on the use of the printed piece.

If the image was originally created at a lower resolution and you manually increase the resolution up to 300 dpi, this will not improve the quality of the image. Your file will still upload through GTI SmART Print, but your artwork will still be of poor quality. The file must be originally created and saved at 300 dpi for true clarity.

You must supply all fonts used in your layout when you upload your files. If you don’t, we’ll ask you to resubmit your files with fonts included.

If you have vector artwork and your file is missing fonts, you can open your file in Illustrator, select “Create Outlines,” save your fonts, re-save your artwork file, and then upload it.

If you have rasterized artwork, you can open your file in Photoshop and select “Flatten the Layers,” re-save your artwork file, and then upload it.

We ask that you don’t submit your fonts separate from your file because it is very important that we receive your print-ready file with fonts included to avoid any printing problems.

All text within your files must be converted to outlines with the outline set to zero to eliminate the need for fonts. If you don’t convert your text to outlines with the outline set to zero, we’ll ask you to correct your file and resubmit it. 

If you use any other color standard, like RGB or Pantone, then GTI SmART Print will convert your files to CMYK during automated preflighting. This conversion may cause your colors to shift, so if color is important to your piece, you’ll want to submit them in CMYK mode.

File extensions are three-digit designations at the end of a file name. They show which format the file was saved in. Common artwork file formats include .eps, .jpeg, .pdf, .ps, .psd, and .tiff.

File formats are unique for different file types. They show how information is organized. Common artwork file formats we accept are: include .eps, .jpeg, .pdf, .ps, .psd, and .tiff.

.eps stands for Encapsulated PostScript. It is short for an Adobe Systems file format. It is a device-independent PostScript representation of a graphic or other object. It stores files as vectors and includes a low-resolution bitmap representation for quick on-screen viewing.

.pdf is short for Portable Document Format. It is a universal file format developed by Adobe Systems to preserve all fonts, formatting, graphics and colors of any source document. A .pdf allows any file to be read by the Acrobat Reader, regardless of the hardware or software on which the file was created.

A .ps, or PostScript, is a software language for printing that describes fonts, images and graphics as mathematical expressions that don’t require fonts or other dependent files.

A .psd, or PhotoShop Document, is a file format for documents created and saved in Adobe PhotoShop as layered images. This makes it easier to edit different parts of an image later. It’s the only file format supporting all available image modes (bitmap, grayscale, duotone, indexed color, RGB, CMYK, lab, and multichannel), guides, alpha channels, spot channels and layers. When using this format, please make sure you flatten all layers and save your files with flattened layers before uploading to GTI SmART Print.

.jpeg is short for Joint Photographic Experts Group. It is used for color images, retaining a high degree of color while requiring less storage space than other file formats require. Uncompressed .jpeg files can be used for high-quality printing.

.tiff, or Tagged Image File Format, is one of the most widely support file formats for storing images on a computer. .tiffs can handle up to 24 bits of photographic image, but it is an older format that requires more storage space than would be need for .jpeg or .psd files.

Before you submit any .tiff files, please make sure they don’t contain any compression.

Yes, though uploading your files through our Web site is the fastest, most efficient way to get your files to us. If you need any help uploading your files, please call us toll-free at 800-570-0138.

We do accept files on CD-ROM, CD-RW or CD-R disks. Or you can send 100 MB Zip disks or 1 GB Jaz disks. If you want to send your files on a disk, please mail your disk to us with files in .eps, .jpeg, .pdf, .ps, .psd, or .tiff format. Our mailing address is:
            GTI SmART Print Customer Service
            3115 South 61st Avenue
            Omaha, NE 68106

            You should reference your order number somewhere on your disk. We recommend sending your material overnight to speed up your turnaround time.

Yes. We accept files on CD-ROM, CD-RW or CD-R disks. Or you can send 100 MB Zip disks or 1 GB Jaz disks. If you want to mail your files, please send it to us with files in .eps, .jpeg, .pdf, .ps, .psd, or .tiff format. Our mailing address is:
            GTI SmART Print Customer Service
            3115 South 61st Avenue
            Omaha, NE 68106

Please reference your order number on your disk. For faster turnaround time, we recommend mailing your materials overnight. Please remember that turnaround time for your print job begins as soon as your print-ready files have been received and approved. If you order a proof, your turnaround begins when we receive your approval of your proof.

No. E-mail is not a reliable method for sending digital files, since some corporate networks and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) block e-mails with large attachments.

We recommend uploading your files through this Web site. You can also mail us your files.

If your file isn’t in one of our accept formats, you may get an error message. We accept files in these formats: .eps, .jpeg, .pdf, .ps, .psd, or .tiff. If your artwork is saved in another format, we recommend creating a .pdf file (Acrobat 4, version 1.3) that can be uploaded to GTI SmART Print.

If you’re interested in creating a design but have little design experience, please look over our stock product designs for business cards, greeting cards, postcards and vinyl banners.