Static Creatives

PDF/X-1a or PNG/JPEG files that don't use dynamic merge tags or elements

PDF/X-1a

When uploading creative, the platform will ask for two separate files: front and back. We always recommend designing edge-to-edge without white borders or crop marks, to avoid any risk of them appearing on the creative after cut. Before exporting, there are a few important factors to consider for an error-free upload process and high-resolution print:

Our address block is auto-applied, please DO NOT include a white block in your back artwork. We take care of that for you.

Review our Print Error Guide to familiarize with print best practices and common creative errors :

pagePrint Error Guide

Color & Transparency

To ensure consistent and highest-quality print, designs must use CMYK/RGB colors at 300 DPI/PPI and feature vectorized/high-resolution images. If using any transparency or color over-lay effects, be sure to flatten all transparencies before uploading. Read more on print and transparency here

Export Format

PDF creatives should always be exported to be PDF/X1-a compliant. This ensures all transparencies have been flatted, color profiles are correct, and fonts are fully embedded in the PDF file; if you do not embed the font, text may shift and/or render differently from the preview on your computer. Make sure large image files are reduced as much as possible without compromising resolution, as the platform will only accept files under 5MB.

Document Setup: Adobe InDesign

Exporting

  1. File → Export... → Format: Adobe PDF (Print) → Save

  2. Adobe PDF Preset: [PDF/X1a:2001]

  3. Marks and Bleeds → Bleed and Slug → ✓ Use Document Bleed Settings → Export

Make sure "Use Document Bleed Settings" is always selected before exporting. If it is not selected, the bleed will not be included in the final dimensions, and your file will only measure out to 4" x 6" which will trigger an error message when uploading to the platform.

Document Setup: Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator does not provide inset margin dimensions in the document setup. We recommend creating your own or using the inset Safe Zone marker provided in the template.

Exporting

  1. File → Save As... → Format: Adobe PDF (Print) → Save

  2. Adobe PDF Preset: [PDF/X1a:2001]

  3. Marks and Bleeds → Bleeds → ✓ Use Document Bleed Settings → Save PDF

  4. Double check total dimensions of the file, make sure trim and safe zone indicator layers are deleted and not hidden.

PNG/JPG Creative

We do not recommend using .png or .jpg files unless it's your only option. PDF & HTML are vector based formats that will generally print at greater than 300px per inch; generating higher quality with very crisp text. The below dimensions are at 300px per inch and are the required dimensions for PNG or JPG creative. The maximum file size for an image is 5MB.

Format

Pixels

4" x 6" Postcard

1275px by 1875px

6" x 9" Postcard

1875px by 2775px

6" x 11" Postcard

1875px by 3375px

QR Codes

QR codes are commonly used to link back to client sites and work great for front-end tracking of campaigns for clients that don't get enough conversions to run a matchback (b2b or real estate). For static QR codes, Indesign has a built in QR code generator that will provide you a vector output that you can use in your creative. We recommend keeping QR codes a minimum of .75" in width, and testing the QR code with your phone in the PDF preview to make sure it works.

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