We Turn Around Proofs the Same Day — If the File Is Ready
Send us the right file and you'll have a digital proof in your inbox the same business day. That's the goal.
What slows that down: a screenshot from your website, sent as a JPEG, 72 DPI, in RGB color mode. We see this every week. It doesn't kill the order — but it adds a back-and-forth that pushes your timeline out. Here's exactly what we need so we can skip that part.
What We Need — The Short Version
| What | Spec | Why |
|---|---|---|
| File format | PDF, AI, SVG, or PNG | Vector is best; PNG needs to be high-res |
| Resolution | 300 DPI minimum at print size | Below 300 DPI prints soft and pixelated |
| Color mode | CMYK | RGB colors shift on press — especially reds and oranges |
| Canvas size | Match the print area of your product | Wrong canvas means your artwork gets scaled or cropped unexpectedly |
| Safe zone | Keep critical elements 0.125" from any edge | Curved surfaces have slight placement tolerance |
| Background | Transparent or white — no gray checkerboard | Checkerboard means the PNG wasn't exported correctly |
Setting Up Your File — Step by Step
Canvas size. For a standard 20oz tumbler, spot print is roughly 8.5" wide × 3.75" tall. Full wrap goes up to about 270°. Not sure what your product's print area is? Ask us and we'll send you a template for the exact blank you're ordering.
Color mode to CMYK. In Photoshop: Image → Mode → CMYK. In Illustrator: File → Document Color Mode → CMYK. Using Canva? Export as "PDF Print" — Canva converts to CMYK on that export. "PDF Standard" stays in RGB. Use Print.
Resolution at 300 DPI. This applies to raster files — PNG, PSD, TIFF. If you're working in vector (AI, SVG, PDF), you don't need to worry about DPI. Just don't upscale a low-res raster file and expect it to fix itself. It won't.
Safe zone. Keep text and logo elements at least 0.125" inside the edge of the print area. Placement on a curved drinkware surface has some natural variation. Anything too close to the boundary risks getting cut off.
Export. Vector files: save as PDF or AI with fonts embedded. PNG: export at 300 DPI with a transparent background if your design doesn't have a background. No JPEG — compression adds artifacts that show up most on sharp edges and fine text.
The Mistakes We See Most Often
Logo pulled from a website. Website logos are usually 72–96 DPI at screen size. That's not print resolution. If your brand logo only exists as a small PNG, it will show pixelation at the edges when we scale it to print size. Get a vector version from your designer — AI or SVG. That's what should be in your brand files.
RGB color mode. What looks vivid on screen doesn't always translate to press. Bright blues can go purple. Neon reds can go orange. Set your file to CMYK before you finalize the design and what you see is what you get.
Artwork too close to the edge. Curved surfaces have placement tolerance. If your logo is right at the boundary of the print area, it might get clipped. Keep everything inside that 0.125" safe zone.
White elements on a white background. If your design has white in it, we need to see it. White on white is invisible in the file. Put it on a colored or transparent background, and call out the white elements in your order notes.
Phone screenshot of the logo. We get it — sometimes that's what's available. But the print will match the file quality. For orders where the artwork matters, track down the original file.
What Happens After You Send It
We review the file for print readiness. If something needs adjusting, we'll flag it and ask before we touch anything — we don't modify your artwork without asking first.
If it looks good to go, you'll have a proof the same business day. Approve it and we go to print. Standard turnaround is 7–10 business days from proof approval. We ship from Jupiter, FL — most continental US orders arrive within 3–5 days of the ship date.
Need it faster? Rush orders (under 7 business days from proof approval) are available at +20%. Get a quote and note the timeline you need.
FAQ
Do you accept Canva files?
We can't open Canva project links, but export as "PDF Print" and we can work with that. Don't use "PDF Standard" — it stays in RGB. Use PDF Print.
What if I only have a JPEG of my logo?
Send it and we'll tell you if the resolution works for the print size you need. Small placements can often work with a high-res JPEG. Full wraps need vector or 300 DPI+ at wrap dimensions. If you need the logo vectorized, we offer basic file prep for a small fee — just ask.
Can I include white in my design?
Yes. We print a white base layer for designs going on dark or colored drinkware. Just note any white elements so we make sure they print correctly. On silver stainless, white ink adds a visible opaque layer — factor that into what you're going for.
How many revisions do I get on the proof?
One proof based on your submitted file. If we made any corrections (with your OK), we'll show you what changed. Changes to the design itself — sizing, repositioning, colors — are each a new proof round. We try to get it right in one pass.
Ready to go? Start your order here and upload your artwork directly. Or browse products first to pick your blank. We handle everything else from Jupiter, FL.