Creating print-ready artwork doesn’t have to be complicated, even if you’re not a Graphic Designer. Here are a few helpful tips to ensure your artwork is submitted to us in a way that ensures we can create the product you expect.

Understanding our Online design platform

The designs and tools we offer on our store enable a customer to setup the print files needed for us to fulfill the request and create the best high quality product possible. Disregarding the prompts from our software will only negatively affect the end product that can be created. We will not release any product that we feel does not meet the Altrum standard. Please refer below for the various solutions to resolve the Graphic Design challenge to create a GREAT product that will resonate with your expectations.

User Interface

Base Tools

Our base Customization tool includes text, upload image, clipart and images galleries, and image editing and filters. These tools can be limited or totally disabled for each Printing Method depending on the product that is chosen.

Pre-Designed Templates

For most products (BLANKS available) we have created design templates with layouts using generic texts/images for each part of the design, you can modify specific parts of the design that is enabled. Change colors, font styles, sizes, upload your original content and design your own idea. For any designs that you create and wish to save for future use, you can save to your account.

Private Designs

If you prefer, Altrum can create Private design templates for you and your company that can be quickly and easily ordered knowing that the Graphic Design work has already been done for you to make sure that we can make you a PERFECT product every time. Please reach out to our Sales Contact about setting up your Private design area for you by Altrum. The designs will be secured via your email domain address/Shopify account and specific pricing can be negotiated based on volume of sales over the year.

How to save designs in your account for future use:

1. To save your designs, you must be logged into your account using your email address. Important: If you previously saved a design without being logged in, it will not be stored.
2. When saving a design, click the SAVE DESIGN button, enter a name for your design and select Save as a New Copy
3. To access your saved designs, select the same award you originally designed, then click the Customize button to open the personalization tool. Your saved designs will be available under the My Saved Designs button.
4. You can view an animated tutorial on the welcome page for further guidance - VIDEO: SEE HOW EASY IT IS TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR AWARDS.

DESIGNING WITH THE CUSTOMIZATION TOOL

For each Customizable product the PRINT areas provided will load upon selecting the "Customize" button on the landing page. Once loaded you can start to add graphic elements or change the existing template provided. 

Our tool allows you to view a real-time view of the customized product in 3D. If enabled on a product, a special button appears on the UI of the customizer and you will be able to see your item in the real-world using an enabled smartphone/tablet.

Use of color

Did you know that Graphic Designers need to work with a totally different color palette depending on whether designing for print or screen?

FUN FACT: A standard digital screen can NOT show true CMYK colors, computers and other devices use RGB to display color on the screen. 

Our printers use CMYK technology to print on the various materials we offer.

Colors converted from RGB to CMYK may not be 100% accurate simply because no software can replicate CMYK colors exactly.

Pantone (PMS) color systems will also be converted to CMYK formulas for print. We follow the best practices of the Pantone system.

Physical size

Before you begin designing with your selected product, it’s best to understand the sizes provided, so that you can source the correct content for your project and work within the set parameters from the start. Understanding the sizing of your project correctly will ensure the best final product by sizing your Graphic content to scale with the end product you desire in mind. Enabling customers to upload their Graphic content comes with the expectation that the customer will participate in the best practices outlined.

Resolution and Image Quality

Best practices to UPLOAD your images, logos, graphics into the personalization platform:

In PRINT design, the resolution is measured in DPI (dots per inch), which indicates how many ink dots the printer can place within a one-inch space.

The higher the DPI, the sharper and more detailed the printed image will be.

Altrum's Online store requires a resolution of at least 300 DPI - 100% scale for all rasterized content to ensure clarity and detail for a professional-quality final product.

Unlike raster graphics (JPEG, PNG, PDF), which are comprised of colored pixels arranged to display an image, vector graphics (SVG, EPS, AI, PDF) are made up of paths, each with a mathematical formula (vector) that tells the path how it is shaped and what color it is bordered with or filled by.

It is preferable to use VECTOR format logos and graphic elements for optimal results. Please use the < PDF/EPS/AI > button to UPLOAD your specific vector formats.

If you can not find the PRINT quality needed you can contact our sales team that will gladly help with the next steps that can be taken.

JPG Format is the LEAST desirable format for PRINT because the image compression creates "Noise".

In the guide below you will find a recap concerning all file formats and size supported by our ONLINE customization solution:

GRAPHIC FORMATS UPLOAD:

File format type	Up to 50 MB	Large file (up to 1 GB)
JPEG	Final output in PDF includes the original uploaded file.	Standard process: final output in PDF includes the original uploaded file.
PNG	Final output in PDF includes the original uploaded file.	Standard process: final output in PDF  includes the original uploaded file.
SVG	Final output includes the original uploaded file.	It's NOT possible to upload files larger than 50 MB.
PDF	Uploaded file gets converted to SVG. Final output includes the SVG version to provide merchants with a final vector file (but any color profiles or effects are lost). Merchants can disable the option to convert the file to SVG and have it converted to raster istead (in this case both the vector and any color profile are lost, but eventually the effects are saved).	Uploaded file gets coverted to raster in the UI. Final output includes the raster version, not the original file.
EPS	Uploaded file gets converted to SVG. Final output includes the SVG version to provide merchants with a final vector file (but any color profiles or effects are lost). Merchants can disable the option to convert the file to SVG and have it converted to raster istead (in this case both the vector and any color profile are lost, but eventually the effects are saved).	Uploaded file gets coverted to raster in the UI. Final output includes the raster version, not the original file.
AI	Uploaded file gets converted to SVG. Final output includes the SVG version to provide merchants with a final vector file (but any color profiles or effects are lost). Merchants can disable the option to convert the file to SVG and have it converted to raster istead (in this case both the vector and any color profile are lost, but eventually the effects are saved).	It's NOT possible to upload files larger than 50 MB.