The type of files we need will depend on the project you’ve ordered. Below are some general rule-of-thumbs to help you get your files ready.

Color Type

• All print projects are printed in full-color.
• We offer same-day and next-day printing (on applicable orders) for local pickup in Detroit, Michigan.
• The best rule-of-thumb is to send us your highest quality file(s) and we’ll do the rest.
• All print files should be submitted to us in CMYK
• All digital files/images should be in RGB

Size, Setup, and Resolution

All files must come over:

• 300dpi (recommended)
• PDF Only
• Saved in CMYK
• Properly Sized: If you’re ordering a 2.5 x 8, file must be sent as a 2.5 x 8
• Apply 0.125 bleeds on all files
• Add crop marks/cut marks
• Margins for orders 3 x 5 or smaller 0.25 inches
• Margins for orders 5 x 7 or larger 0.5 inches
• Margins for files 12 x 18 or larger 1 inch

File Type

We accept a number of file types including, but not limited to, the list below:

• PDF
• EPS (Adobe Illustrator Vector File)
• Canva
• Microsoft Word

WE DO NOT

• Resize any artwork without client permission
• Print any file that is less than 200 dpi
• Complete any design services for free!

Bleed Marks

• Bleed marks are extensions of a file’s outer edges that ensure a print’s intended completion. They allow for the design to extend to the very edge of the finished product, especially for colors and images.
• Why they are important
• Without bleed marks, a thin white line may appear along the edges of the printed product. This is because there is a margin of error when trimming the print, and a slight slip could occur.
• How to add bleed marks
• A minimum of 3 mm of bleed should be added on all edges. One way to do this is to enlarge the image proportions over the bleed area.

Crop Marks

• Crop marks are thin lines placed in the corners of a page or artwork to indicate where to trim the paper after printing. They are also known as trim marks.
• Why they are important
• Crop marks are important for any piece that will be trimmed after printing, especially if the design bleeds. A bleed is when an image or color extends to the edge of the paper. To create a bleed, the original artwork must extend past the trim size by about 1/8 inch.

Catalogs/Booklets/Magazines

• All files should have a minimum of 0.125 bleed settings applied during design and all backgrounds used, should extend beyond the final artboard size for clean cutting.
• We recommend you send all work with Crop marks (and bleeds 0.125). Crop marks are not mandatory, but they are helpful for you and us, to know exactly where the printing will be cut.

On the high quality paper sourced from mills around the globe Print all of our orders using a 4-color process, meaning we mix cyan, magenta, yellow and black to print full color.

Since each order is unique to each customer, it has no resale value, therefore All Sales Are Final. If we verify that we made an error on our end, we will reprint the order. No Refunds or Credit.

Customers must notify MAYS/VPC/VPG within 5 business days of order acceptance to notify of any defects discovered in the ordered product. In order to receive replacement the customer must return 100% of the received product within a 10 day window (at their own expense) from the time when the delivery was received.

All new charges related to expediting printing (Rush Printing or Shipping) are NON REFUNDABLE, including those orders that are returned for any reason.Please note that any short run order of 1000 pieces or less may run digitally, and may not have any aqueous coatings. The digital press has been calibrated to the same standards as our Heidelberg presses and as a result you will receive a very identical quality product.

Rule of thumb for mailing:

First Class Mail
1-5* days
Standard mail

7-14 days
10 is the norm (Clients have received mail as soon as 2 days)

Non Profit (discounted mailing permit)
5- 21 Days (Clients have received mail as soon as 3 days)

Yes! Mays Multimedia has been issued the following NAICS Codes:

PRINTING: 323111, 3232113, 323117, 323120
DESIGN: 541430, 541810
SIGN MANUFACTURING: 339950, 339999