Creating Artwork for Dr. Don's Buttons
Buttons or Lapel Stickers

If you would like us to use artwork you have, or will produce, please read the following information carefully. In doing so, you will learn how we need to have your artwork set-up and sized, so we can use it when we receive it.

This will help us expedite your order and keep it from being delayed.

 File formats we can work with

We are able to work with any of the following file formats:


.ai (Adobe Illustrator)
.cdr (CorelDraw)
.psd (PhotoShop)
.eps
.tiff
.jpg
.bmp
.pdf

We prefer working with files that have been saved in Adobe Illustrator format (.ai).


If you will be sending us an Adobe llustrator file (.ai) - please save it as version CS 2 or lower; convert all fonts to paths / outlines

If you will be sending us a CorelDraw file (.cdr) - please save as version 12 or lower; convert all fonts to paths / outlines.

It's not the best program for designing, but we may be able to extract graphic images from Microsoft Word files that have been saved as a .doc

Sorry, but we are unable to work with PowerPoint or Publisher files. If you have PowerPoint or Publisher files, please save them as .jpg.

Sending clip art, logos, photos or finished artwork

If you have a logo, a photo or any type of clip art you would like us to use, please send it as a high-resolution .jpg or .psd file, preferrably at 200-300 dpi. (300 dpi yields better results).

To send files for us to use, click on the appropriate button below.

Potential Problems with Fonts

When we receive artwork that was created with a font we don't have, problems can arise.

If we don't have the EXACT font that was used (there are many variations of common fonts and there's a good chance those variations will not work), we won't be able to print your design and have it look the way you intended.

However, there are ways around this problem.

If your artwork is created in CorelDraw or Adoble Illustrator, please convert the fonts to what are known as paths / outlines before sending your file. (To convert to paths / outlines simply select all the type in the design and choose the "convert to paths / outlines" option under the type menu).

Another way to avoid font problems is to send your artwork in any of the following file formats (.psd, .jpg, .bmp, or .tif). If you use any of these file formats, we won't have a problem with the fonts.

If you are going to create and send a relatively simple design, it probably would be easier to have our graphics department create the artwork for you. And since basic design and set-up is included in the price, it would probably be easier for you, too.

Digital Printing and Color Matching

The items we produce will be printed on a high-quality Xerox digital color laser printer.

Because we print digitally, we are unable to offer exact Pantone color matching. If you need any item we produce to be color matched, please let us know when placing your order.

If you need clip-art for your design, but don't have what you need

If you want to include a graphic image (often referred to as clip art) in your design, but don't have what you need, we have a possible solution.

You can go to clipart.com and look through their vast collection of online clip art. We have a subscription to their service and we can use the clip art found on their site to help create your design.

To facilitate your search, simply enter a word or short phrase that describes what you are looking for in their search window. After viewing the results, if you find a piece of clip art you'd like us to use, click on the item and you will see a file number associated with that piece of clip art. Write that item number down and let us know what it is. We then will be able to find it and hopefully use it to create your design.

Properly sizing the artwork for your buttons

For specifics on how to properly size the artwork for your button, please look at the table below and find the button size you wish to have made.

Underneath each button size you will see three dimensions... Image Area, Background Color, and Cut Line. Below you will find a description of what these terms mean.

 

Image Area - sometimes called "live area"; this is the area in which the text and graphics need to be contained. Doing so keeps your text and graphic images from getting too close to the edge of your button and possibly going over the side.

Background Color - If you'd like your button to have a colored background or a "bleed" as it is sometimes called, use this figure to properly size the background color of your design. This figure is important, so please make certain any background or background color (other than white) is the exact size called for, for your particular button size.

Cut Line - The cut line is used to accurately cut your artwork. It helps us make certain your artwork is centered on your button. The cutline should be a 1 point black line.

* If your artwork has a background color / bleed, and you have sized the cut line according to our directions, you should see a white gap between the cutline and the background/bleed. This is as it should be.

If the background / bleed extends all the way to the cutline, our button machine can have problems working with your image. Our high-speed button presses need this white gap to function properly.

Properly sizing your artwork for lapel stickers

For the specifics on how to properly size the artwork for lapel stickers, please look at the table below and find the sticker size you wish to have made.

Underneath each size you will see two dimensions... image area and background color. Below you will find a description of what these terms mean.

 

Image area - sometimes called the "live area", this is the area in which text and graphics need to be contained. Doing so keeps your text and graphic images from getting too close to the edge of your sticker and possibly going over the edge.

Background Color - If you want your sticker to have a color background or a bleed, as it is sometimes called, use this figure to properly size your background. This figure is important, so please make certain that your background or background color (if you have one) is the exact size called for.

Once we receive your artwork, we will create a prototype for you as soon as possible and then post the prototype to a private area of our web site so you can see it. You can then give your approval (or request a revision) before we start producing your order.

Thanks!

Don Ratliff
aka Dr. Don