| Quick Technical Specifications
Document Trim Size Document Trim Size
Standard
3.375x2.125"
85mm x 54mm
1113x 638 pixels
CMYK 4-color process print at 200 LSI.
add a 1/8” bleed
File type required EPS vector
Create outline for fonts
Save a front as its own file eg; mycompnayfront.eps
Save a seperate file for the back eg; mycompnayback.eps
Detailed Technical Specifications
Design Plastic Cards in Adobe Illustrator
Versions 9, 10, CS, CS2, CS3
This tutorial will guide you through the process of designing business cards and postcards in Illustrator as well as providing press-ready templates to get you started quickly.
This page is graphic intensive.
Please allow a few moments for the screenshots to finish downloading.
Step One
Verify that you have guides turned on. You should see lines around the outside of your template. View > Show > Guides.  The outermost lines are called cut/trim lines. The cut lines show where your design will be cut away from the much larger sheet of paper it was printed on. This ensures color all the way to the very edge of your cards. This method is called full bleed.
Your background colors/design MUST extend past the cut lines!
The innermost lines are called the safety lines. Anything outside these lines run the risk of being cut off. Although the cutting machines are very accurate, staying inside of this area ensures that important text/graphics won't be chopped off. It also helps make your card more readable. Keep all your non-background text, logos, pictures, etc. inside of these lines.
Step Two
Verify that your design is in CMYK color mode. This is very important as we will not be able to print your design if this setting is not correct.
File > Document Color Mode > CMYK
Step Three
Now you are ready to begin designing your business card. It's up to you to decide what you want the card to look like. Start experimenting and using the different tools to get the look you want. With unlimited amounts of colors and tools to choose from, anything is possible.
Remember to create separate files for each side of your business card if you wish to have information on the back.
When selecting colors in the color palette, make sure to select CMYK colors.
If you place or insert photo files, make sure they are in CMYK mode.
Example of a finished design:
Useful Tips
Save Often! You never know when your computer may crash or lock up. While you are working on your file, save as a .AI.
The Inkjet Test: Throughout the design process I suggest printing your creations on your inkjet printer directly from Illustrator. Use glossy photo paper if you have it. This will give you a good idea how your card will look as far as sizing goes. If your text looks small when printed on your inkjet, it will be too small when printed by our presses.
To run the inkjet test click File > Print. I suggest using the highest resolution print option (photographic quality) that is available on your printer. No adjustments to sizing or placement will be needed. The design should print on the paper at the actual size of 2.25 x 3.75" for standard cards, 4.25 x 3.75" for folded cards.
Remember the full bleed process will trim your cards down to normal size.
The inkjet test does 2 things:
- Lets you see the design on paper at actual size rather than the computer screen.
- Gets you really excited seeing the design looking so good on glossy paper!
The inkjet test is a better alternative to proofing your uploaded files online, something that we don't offer. My philosophy: You can see the design on your screen during the design phase, why would you need to see it on your screen again as a proof? What matters the most is what it looks like on paper.
Step Four
Review Step 2 and Step 3 one more time. This will ensure that your design is 100% ready for press, and will help us process your order faster.
Step Five
Once your design is complete, save your file as .AI one last time. You need to do all the same steps for the front and back of the card. When saving there must be 2 files; one for the front and one for the back.
Example
Save as:
mycompanyFront.ai
mycompanyBack.ai
Saving your file will allow you to open and make changes to your design when you decide to reorder cards at a later date. Be sure to keep this file in a safe place on your computer. File > Save As > Save as type: Illustrator (*.AI) 
Step Six
After saving as an .AI file, convert all text into paths or shapes. This ensures that when you submit your file, there will be no "missing fonts" issues.
Without this step, if we do not have the fonts you used, Illustrator will automatically substitute the missing fonts and ruin the entire design. This would also delay the process time of your order.
Once you have converted the fonts, save your design as a press-ready .eps file.
File > Select All
Type > Create Outlines
File > Save As > Save as type: Illustrator (*.EPS)
Step Seven
Congratulations!
You are now ready to order your business cards. Please choose which type of card you want, place the order then.
If you need any help to best determine which type of business card is best for you, feel free to give us a call:
514-457-7411
Sending your files
If your files are under 4 megs e-mail info@montrealprinting.com and if they are over 4 megs e-mails us and we will send you login access to upload directly to our servers.
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