File Specifications

FolgerGraphics Digital File Delivery Specifications

Download these specifications.

FolgerGraphics accepts a variety of digital file formats for print. We’ll make every effort to work with you to assure that the quality of your project meets your expectations. The following recommendations will help to assure best results:

File Formats

Press-Ready PDF (Preferred) - Prepared for print in CMYK mode with image resolutions at 300 DPI or higher and fonts embedded.

InDesign CC or below (Packaged with all fonts, graphics and a PDF)

*Note that files submitted in other formats must be accompanied by a PDF and may require extra processing time and could incur additional processing fees; please talk to your sales representative.

Bleeds and Safe Area

Bleed – ⅛” all sides

Safe Area For flat or unbound pieces– Allow a minimum safe area (margin) of 1/4”

Safe Area for Stitched or Bound Pieces – Allow a minimum safe area (margin) of 3/8”

Bleeds and Safe Area for Tabloids – Tabloids should not include bleeds and allow a minimum safe area (margin) of 1/2”

Color Mode and Image Resolution

File color must match quoted colors. Images must be CMYK, Grayscale or Pantone halftone, not RGB. 4 color jobs must only contain Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black inks. Spot colors should only be used on jobs quoted for spot colors. Any job printing Black only should only contain Black ink, do not use any rich black or Registration black.

Resolution

We recommend a minimum of 300 dpi (dot per inch) resolution. The images designed for the web are usually at a low screen resolution of 72 dpi and are not suitable. Print images need to be created at 300 dpi or there will be a substantial drop in the image quality.

Pagination

Multi-page documents (books, manuals, booklets) should be submitted in single page format and in page number order. You may include page numbers or request addition per your specifications.

Proofing

Please doublecheck your files before sending them to FolgerGraphics. We provide PDF proofs or hard copy proofs for every project for your approval. PDF proofs may vary in color from monitor to monitor unless color calibration is applied. Hard copy proofs increase color accuracy. They are available by request. If color must be absolutely precise, we encourage you to schedule a Press Check to approve color and print quality as production begins.



Learning Center

Need help with your layout? Having problems sending us your files? Not sure how to setup your direct mail piece? Here you can download tutorials, guides and templates to make your experience with FolgerGraphics nice and easy.

Printing Sales Tax Information
Visit the FolgerGraphics Printing Sales Tax Information Page to answer questions on taxation of your printing projects.
Design Help and File Preparation

We prefer to be sent High Resolution PDF files for printing. PDF files are a universal file type for both Mac and Windows PCs and contain all the printing information we need. If you send us a PDF file, please open up your PDF after it is generated and double check that it is the correct size, has all the correct bleeds (if necessary) and all the graphics and type look correct. See below for our guidelines for preparing your Adobe InDesign files and making a PDF before sending us your files.

Other acceptable file formats are: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe PageMaker, QuarkXpress, Microsoft Publisher, and Microsoft Word.
Visit our YouTube Channel for tutorials on how to use Adobe InDesign and other helpful design lessons.

Check out our first E-Learning Video


Don't have Photoshop or any other image editor? Try out Pixlr to edit your images.

Design Templates

To download these design templates: Mac use Ctrl-Click > "Save Link As...", PC Users: use Right-Click, "Save Target As..."
Business Cards
3.5" x 2" Business Card PDF   JPG   IDML
Postcards
4" x 6" Postcard   PDF    JPG   IDML
5" x 7" Postcard   PDF    JPG   IDML
5.5" x 8.5" Postcard PDF   JPG   IDML
6" x 9" Postcard  PDF   JPG  IDML
8.5" x 11" Tri-Fold Brochure & Menu
8.5" x 11" Tri-Fold - Inside  PDF   JPG  IDML (inside and outside)
8.5" x 11" Tri-Fold - Outside  PDF   JPG
8.5" x 14" Tri-Fold Brochure & Menu
8.5" x 14" Tri-Fold - Inside  PDF   JPG  IDML (inside and outside)
8.5" x 14" Tri-Fold - Outside  PDF   JPG 
11" x 17" Tri-Fold Brochure & Menu
11" x 17" Tri-Fold - Inside  PDF   JPG  IDML (inside and outside)
11" x 17" Tri-Fold - Outside  PDF   JPG
Envelopes
#10 Window PDF   JPG   IDML
#10 Regular PDF   JPG   IDML
#9 Regular PDF   JPG   IDML
#9 Deep Flap Remit PDF   JPG   IDML
9" x 12" Catalog Envelope PDF   JPG   IDML
6.5 Deep Flap Remit PDF   JPG Inside  JPG Outside   IDML
Presentation Folder
Standard 2 Pocket Presentation Folder with Card Slits PDF   JPG   JPG (inside)   IDML

Sales Tax Information

This page is designed to assist our Customers with printing/mailing taxation questions. If your question is not answered here, contact your FolgerGraphics Printing Project Manager for assistance. PDF Fillable Forms are available for each tax exemption type, and must be completed and on-file with FolgerGraphics, Inc. in order for your job(s) to not be taxed. Without a form on file, FolgerGraphics is required by law to include tax on your order.

BOE California Sales Tax Chart

View BOE-95 dated 4/1/2015 - California Sales and Use Tax Rates by County and City. This document will provide the tax rate FolgerGraphics will charge based on the delivery address of your order.

Printed Items that are Taxable

Forms or business collateral that are used by your business. These include letterhead, envelopes, business cards, presentation folders, forms, signage, etc. that you are not reselling to a third party. Office copies of Newspapers or Periodicals or Printed Sales Message pieces are also taxable. For example, if your job is for 1,000 Printed Sales Message Postcards printed/mailed by FolgerGraphics, Inc. and 200 extras delivered to your office, the sales tax applied to your invoice would be calculated based on the cost of printing the 200 office copy pieces as long as a Printed Sales Message form is on file at FolgerGraphics.

PDF Fillable Forms are available for each tax exemption type and must be completed and on-file with FolgerGraphics, Inc. in order to be non-taxable. Without a form on file, FolgerGraphics is required by law to include tax on your order.

Printed Sales Message

In general, a Printed Sales Message is a catalog, letter, circular, brochure or pamphlet printed to advertise or promote goods or services and mailed through the U.S. Postal Service or by common carrier. It does not include newsletters, annual reports, newspapers or periodicals. Examples of Printed Sales Message materials are (but not limited to):

  • Postcards printed/mailed that advertise or promote your product or business. A clear dollar amount charged for the product or business service must show on the printed piece.
  • Course Catalogs printed/mailed that include fees for attending the class/course.

 
A more detailed explanation of Regulation 1541.5, can be found on pages 2 and 3 of our Printed Sales Message Tax Form.

Newspaper or Periodicals – Regular Intervals

In general, Regular Interval Newspapers or Periodicals are those that are distributed FREE OF CHARGE and are printed on a schedule (regular interval). Regular intervals is defined as being printed at least 4x/year but not more than 60x/year. Examples of Regular Interval Newspapers or Periodicals are (but not limited to):

  • Newspapers (printed weekly)
  • School Newspapers (typically printed 9x/year)
  • Magazines (printed monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly)
  • Newsletters (printed monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly)

Download, print and complete our Printed Sales Message Tax Form.

Newspaper or Periodicals – Non-Regular Intervals 

If you publish a publication less than 4x/year, and believe your printing project qualifies for tax exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, a form must be on file at FolgerGraphics.

California Resale Certificate 

If you are a Business that holds a valid Resale Certificate and will be reselling printed materials purchased from FolgerGraphics, you must have a Resale Certificate completed, signed and on file with us. Resale numbers are checked by FolgerGraphics for validity. An example of items that may fall in this category (but are not limited to):

  • You are an Event Promotion/Design/Marketing business that purchases printed materials from FolgerGraphics, Inc. then charges your client for the pieces.
  • You print a magazine that is purchased or paid for by the end user (your reader).

If your question is not answered in this document, contact your FolgerGraphics Printing Project Manager for assistance.

 

Call Now: (510) 887-5656