2. What color mode should my files be?
THESE COLORS ARE IN RGB
THESE ARE THE SAME COLORS BUT IN CMYK
You should always start and finish your designs in CMYK color mode.
3. What resolution should my file be?
THESE ARE 72 DPI LOW RES IMAGES
THESE ARE THE SAME IMAGES BUT AT 300 DPI
4. How should I set up my bleed and crop marks?
- The bleed for standard products is 0.125″
- The bleed for Booklets and Presentation Folders is 0.25″
- For large format Products please consult our staff for product specific guidelines
When sending an .eps or .pdf, make sure you include crop marks so we can cut the job correctly.
5. Does BeBranded accept borders on jobs?

For more details please contact BeBranded staff.
6. How should I set up my file for proper rotation?

Make sure to set up your files so that when we print them HEAD to HEAD the final product will read the way you would like. Also, front and back files need to be set up either both sides vertically or both sides horizontally.
If you would like your back file to be upside down, please send your artwork as shown below.
If you have a fold-over or greeting card, please send your artwork as shown.
7. How can I avoid transparency issues?
What a transparency problem looks like on screen…
After a transparency problem is printed…
To prevent this, never use shadows, glows, or any other transparency (image or otherwise) on top of a spot color. Always convert your spot color to CMYK and flatten before sending. All of these effects will cause transparency problems.
8. Should I send a proof or sample file?
9. What is overprint, and how can it ruin my file?
ON SCREEN VIEW

AFTER PRINTING

Unexpected results may occur if you have accidentally set certain objects to overprint. Always check logos and other artwork before submitting.
10. Can I submit a front and back in the same file?
11. How should I set up a Spot UV job?
NORMAL CMYK PRINT FILE

SPOT UV TEMPLATE FILE

Use 100% K to indicate where you would like the UV. White will indicate no UV. Essentially, you will be sending 2 files – 1 is your full colour file and the other is completely b&w. REMEMBER “IF IT’S WHITE, YOU CAN WRITE!”
12. How can I make sure my blues do not come out purple?
100% C 100% M 0% Y 0% K
ON SCREEN

AFTER PRINTING

Blue is close to purple in the CMYK spectrum. Remember, use a low amount of magenta whenever using high amounts of cyan to avoid purple.
EXAMPLE: C-100 M-70 Y-0 K-0
13. How do I export a .pdf correctly?
EXPORT SETTINGS FOR .PDF FILES
Adobe PDF Preset is set to: Press Quality

Compatibility is set to: Acrobat 4 (PDF 1.3)

Compress Text and Line Art is set to: Off

14. How do I get a grayscale image in a CMYK document?
Always check the CMYK values of your grayscale in the final CMYK document. If there are other values other than K in your grayscale image, there is a chance that the color will vary.
To eliminate all values other than K, use your Channel Mixer (adjustment layer) in Photoshop, then click “Monochrome” and adjust accordingly.
15. What is rich black and how can I get it?
100% K ON SCREEN

100% K AFTER PRINT

We recommend using
C 60 M 40 Y 40 K 100
This will give you a deep, dark, rich black.
16. Why does my business card crack around the edges?
CLOSE UP OF BUSINESS CARD

This usually happens on a small amount of cards in the run. To prevent this, use lighter colors or if you must use dark colors, use as little ink as possible.
17. What is banding?
CLOSE UP OF BANDING

To prevent this, check your digital files before sending. If you use a gradient, make sure it has enough room for a smooth transition.
18. Why is there cracking on my scoring job?
CLOSE UP SCORING

Cracking is normal when coated jobs are scored and folded. Ordering the job without UV will help but may not prevent this. As the job is used and folded more and more, cracking will eventually happen.
19. How can Pantone colors affect the way my job prints?
The first is by object effects, such as shadows or glows, on top of your Pantone colors. Here is what the effects will look like on screen:
Here is what the effect looks like after printing:
As you can see, when a Pantone colour is under these object effects, transparency issues show up during printing. To avoid this, convert all your Pantone colours into CMYK before submitting your order.
The second way Pantone colours can affect your file is when you use transparent images. Here is what a transparent image looks like on screen:
Here is what a transparent image looks like after printing:
You can see the image is no longer transparent on top of the Pantone colour. These white areas will show up during printing. To fix this issue, convert all your Pantone colours into CMYK. This must be done before submitting the order.
The last way Pantone colours can affect your order is the colour conversion between a Pantone colour and CMYK. If you use Pantone colours in a job that will print CMYK, your job might print with undesirable colours.
Here are some examples of what the Pantone colour looks like in the Pantone colour book and what the CMYK print will look like:
If you send in a job with Pantone colours, the CMYK conversion will change the Pantone colour. Before sending your order, make sure all Pantone colours have been converted to CMYK.
20. How do I use the print templates?
Here is what each of the lines mean inside the template:
Here is what an 8.5×11 brochure template looks like:
These templates will help you identify where the cut line, bleed line, and safety line, are located along with other information so you can design your art correctly.
Some of our templates are labeled as OUT and IN. This means that there is some folding involved with the template. OUT means the FRONT of the job and IN means the BACK. During the upload part of your order, remember that OUT is the FRONT and IN is the BACK.
Here is an example of the fold-over business card template:
As you can see, OUT is the FRONT of the job and after folding, will be facing outward. You can also see the rotation of the job. The front must be positioned upside down so it can fold correctly.
Remember, do not move or change any part of the template when using them.
21. General ESR and Digital Color Printing
- Tests show digital quality matches offset.
- Digital printing offers larger color gamut.
- Print buyers find digital quality interchangeable with offset quality.
- Today, many showcase applications are printed digitally.
- Digital printing is more affordable for short runs, due to very low set up cost.
*Disclaimer: Occasionally, quantities of up to 5000 and more might be printed using digital color technology in order to meet turnaround deadlines
22. How should I set up a spot AQ job?

Use white, 0C 0M 0Y 0K, to indicate where you would like the AQ. Black, 100%K, will indicate no AQ.
23. How should I set up a Plastic Card job?

As you can see, the difference in the transparency is shown in the image above. The clear cards (right) are completely transparent. The frosted cards (center) are semi-transparent and cannot be seen through easily. The opaque white plastic cards (left) are solid white and not transparent at all. Keep this in mind when designing your plastic cards, it will affect how your design will print.
Since there is no white ink in CMYK, it is important to keep in mind that the frosted and clear plastic cards are transparent. The three designs above are the same as in the first picture. You will notice that the white area in the clear cards (right) and the frosted cards (center) has no ink and will show the transparent material it’s printed on. In this case, the clear cards and frosted cards white area show up with no ink on the printed piece. Also, keep in mind that all colors that are printed on clear cards or frosted cards will be transparent as well.
With the clear plastic cards, there might be a small percentage that may have light scratches. This issue originates from the manufacturer and is due to the material and handling. To help compensate for this, we run overs of the clear plastic cards to help meet the required quantity.
Clear plastic cards will come with a thin protective layer on one side that can be peeled off. This is to prevent the cards from scratching during packaging and shipping.
24. How do I set up a Foil Worx job?
Foil mask files are set up just like our Spot UV mask files. The file can only be black and white. All black areas should be 100k or only 100% black with no other colors added. Black in the areas you want the foil and white in the areas you do not want the foil. If you order a Foil Worx job with Spot UV, you must provide separate mask files for the Foil (foil mask) and UV (spuv mask), in that case up to 6 files will need to be provided.
However, please keep in mind that the Foil and UV can’t overlap. Also please avoid using small / fine text or fonts for foil objects. For best results, please make sure that foil coverage is less than 50% of the artwork area
Also, be aware that there may be up to 1/16″ shift on the placement of the foil. Keep this in mind if you are trying to align foil with other printed artwork on the card.
Please see images below to see what mask files should look like. Remember that black in the mask file must be 100k where you would like the foil to go.
25. What is the standard round corner radius?
26. What is Akuafoil and how do I set it up?
With Akuafoil, you can turn a wide range of CMYK colors, into multi-colored foils. Akuafoil uses a special processed foil system that is applied under 4/c process to create an array of foil colors. It’s simple, affordable, and makes your prints stand out from the crowd.
For an Akuafoil job, you must include an Akuafoil/mask file along with your CMYK file. The mask file indicates where the foil will be placed. The file process is the same as spot UV—100% K where foil is placed, 0% where the foil is not placed.
As shown above, the file on the left is the normal CMYK print file. If you want the logo to be Akuafoil, then your Akuafoil mask file should look like the file on the right. The White indicates no foil and 100% K indicates where the Akuafoil will be.
Here are some more things to keep in mind when creating your Akuafoil artwork:
- Make sure the mask and CMYK print file are aligned and match up properly.
- Akuafoil works best on lighter colors. The darker the CMYK color, the less the Akuafoil look.
- Do not use very thin or small text and artwork with Akuafoil… Use san serif fonts above 12 point for best results.
If you would like only silver Akuafoil to print, make sure to have at least 15% K in that white area. White in the CMYK file that is 100% K in the Akuafoil file will appear as plain silver Akuafoil. However, for a higher quality plain silver Akuafoil, we recommend to have at least 15% K in that white area.
27. What are 4D Lenticular Prints and how do I set them up?
4D Prints is a Lenticular product that allows you to have two or three different pictures in one. We take your images and create a swapping effect, each image vanishing and then reappearing from one to another as you move it up and down. There is a backing that can also be printed in normal 4 color process. Total thickness with both plastic 4D viewer and backing is 21pt. Only the front side will have the 4D effect.
Our lenticular sheets are 75 LPI. LPI means Lenticules Per Inch.
We require regular .125″ bleed for 4D prints. The total bleed should be .125″ added to the cut size. For example, if you are ordering a business card the final size you should upload is 3.625 x 2.125. The files should still be CMYK and 300dpi as normal. There are some other rules you should follow as well when setting up the front of a 4D card:
- Dark solid colored and/or textured backgrounds work well.
- White and light colored areas are transparent, other views / flips will show through white areas causing a ghosting effect. White and light colored areas only work well if each view has white/light colors in the exact same area.
- Use bold san-serif fonts.
- Avoid small, fine and thin type. Fonts get distorted through the lens / plastic surface, so the bolder the better.
- Text that varies from view to view / file to file should NOT overlap, it should be in different positions on each view.
- 4D effect works best when the variation from image to image is subtle and simple.
Another thing to keep in mind is how many files will be uploaded. It depends if you pick a two or three image transition.
Two Image Flip:
4/0 = Two images for the front only
4/4 = Two images for the front, one image for the back
Three Image Flip:
4/0 = Three images for the front only
4/4 = Three images for the front, one image for the back
Please note: the 4D lenticular effect can only be applied to one side of the final product.
28. How do I set up a Multi-page Booklet?
Multi-page booklets are a little more complex to design. Also, if you have artwork you created for another company, it might not meet BeBranded guidelines. For best results, please download our templates available here.
Here are rules to follow when creating your Multipage booklet:
- Page counts start on the cover as page 1, inside cover as page 2 and so on.
- Total bleed is .25” and total Safety is .5”. For example, an 8.5×11 booklet with bleed should be 8.75×11.25 total. This allows us to set up your crossovers properly.
- Only single pages will be accepted. NO readers OR printers spreads.
- We prefer a multipage PDF but single page files are also ok.
Our page counts for booklets start on the cover as page 1, inside cover as page 2 and so on. In the example below, you will see a 8pg booklet. Each page will show the page number. Click and hold the page corners to turn the page. This is also reflected in our templates.
Crossovers are common in booklets and require extra attention. A Crossover is an image, text or other graphic element that goes from one page to another.
Designers must pay close attention to the crossover design and make sure it is as seamless as possible on the finished piece. Also, do not use text or thin lines as crossovers. Big pictures work best.
Note: Due to the nature of saddle stitch binding, crossovers may not line up 100% on the final booklet.
Artwork done in Indesign or other layout software as spreads or facing pages must be saved out as single page pdfs. When creating your design, keep this in mind especially when doing crossovers. The easiest way is to create the bleed is when creating your document. Below are instructions on how to create your document in Indesign.
When creating your document, make your page size the cut size and your margin size .25” for safety for a .5” total:
Then, click the More Options button on the right. It will reveal Bleed and Slug settings below. Enter .125” as the bleed for a total of .25”:
Your Indesign document is now ready for proper booklet layout. You should see proper bleed and safety guidelines:
When your ready to export your booklet as PDF, make sure to Use Document Bleed Settings in the Marks and Bleeds menu:
30. What is a Perfect Bound Book?
Templates are available for both the cover and inside pages of the Perfect Bound Booklets. Download templates here.
Please note: Unlike our regular Multi-Page Booklets, the page count specified in the product name does not include the cover. E.g. “8.5 x 11, 52-Pages” will require you to upload 48 inside pages + 4-page cover file (which is always 4:0).
31. Can I design on the spine of a Perfect Bound Booklet?
Templates are available for the covers of the Perfect Bound Booklets and relate to the number of inside pages. The normal 8.5×11 and 8.5×5.5 flat, Flyer templates can be used for all the inside pages. Download templates here.
32. What are bumper stickers?
33. What is the difference between Long Edge Binding and Short Edge Binding?

34. For Gift Card Holders, what are Gift Card Slits and where are they positioned?

35. What size cards fit into the Gift Card Holders?
36. What are NCR forms?
They’re available in 2 Part (White, Canary) and 3 Part (White, Canary, Pink) collated sets that are glued on the short edge. NCR Forms are printed on 20LB stock on high tech digital equipment.
37. Do the NCR form come pre-collated? Are they glued in sets?
38. Can you imprint on NCR forms using standard desktop printers?
39. Are NCR Forms printed in full color on each sheet or is the print black ink only?
40. What are NCR forms used for?
41. What are the file requirements for NCR Forms? Can I have full bleed?
- At least 0.25″ of space on the glued edge (short edge) should be free of ink
- Full color and solid colored backgrounds are not recommended, as it may effect your ability to read the text and write on the form
- Light ink coverage is highly recommended
42. What are the bleed requirements for Counter Cards?
43. How are Counter Cards supported so they can stand up?