CMYK mode is best for printing, as it will produce the most accurate color for your work.

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300DPI or higher will provide the best quality image clarity for your work.

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PDFs are strongly preferred, but we also accept JPGs, PNGs and TIFFs if PDFs aren’t an option.

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• For Stapled Books, Page Counts need to be a multiple of 4.
• For Perfect Bound Books, Page Counts need to be a multiple of 2.
• If these requirements aren’t met, you will have blank white pages where pages should be.
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• Send them in as one combined file for the Cover and one for the Interiors. For Covers, make sure they are in order of Front Cover, Inside Front Cover, Inside Back Cover and Back Cover.
• For Interiors, send them combined in sequential order (Pg. 1, Pg. 2, Pg. 3 etc.)
• If you have multiple covers for your book order, send separate PDFs for each of them with the four pages mentioned above, and make sure to name each variant with a unique name (ex. Cover A, Cover B, Cover C).
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Send each page in with explicitly naming (ex. Cover, Back Cover, Inside Front Cover, Inside Back Cover, Page 1, Page 2, Page 3 etc.) to ensure pages will be laid out by us in proper order. If you have variant covers for your book, be sure to label the front cover and/or back cover if you have variations with a unique name (ex. Cover A, Cover B, Back Cover A, Cover B etc.).

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• Spot Foil/White Toner files are printed on a non-white stock (ex. Metallic stocks, Holofoil stocks) and use White Toner to mask certain areas of the sheet to control where you want that Foil or Metallic area to show in print.
• These files REQUIRE a layered PSD, PDF or TIFF file and must not be flattened (single layer only). The layered file must contain only two layers: the Base Art layer, and the White Toner layer. The White Toner layer will be set up as a solid color mask, and mask the areas you do NOT want the Foil or Metallic area to shine through. For example, if you want only a logo to be foiled, your mask layer needs to cover everything except the logo.
• The Base Art layer will be the entire piece of art that would comprise both masked and foiled areas. The White Toner layer will be used by us to set the print file up to give you your intended results.
• Click here to learn more.

• Spot Embossing is used to physically embellish areas of your artwork. The approach with Spot Embossing on Cardstock is “less is more”.
• These files REQUIRE a layered PSD, PDF or TIFF file and must not be flattened (single layer only). The layered file must contain only two layers: the Base Art layer, and the Spot Emboss layer. The Spot Emboss layer will be set up as a solid color mask, and mask the areas you want to be embossed. For example, if you want only a logo to be embossed, your mask layer needs to cover the logo only.
• The Base Art layer will be the entire piece of art that would comprise both masked and embossed areas. The Spot Embossed layer will be used by us to set the print file up to give you your intended results.
• It’s important to note that large embossed areas (ex. a solid shape covering a third of the piece) will suffer quality issues, such as lines or defects in the finish. Please keep embossed areas to smaller elements. Multiple smaller elements will work as intended.
• Click here to learn more.

• These files REQUIRE a layered PSD, PDF or TIFF file and must not be flattened (single layer only). The layered file must contain three layers: the Base Art layer, the Spot Foil/White Toner layer and the Spot Emboss layer.
• The White Toner layer will be set up as a solid color mask, and mask the areas you do NOT want the Foil or Metallic area to shine through. For example, if you want only a logo to be foiled, your mask layer needs to cover everything except the logo.
• The Spot Emboss layer will be set up as a solid color mask, and mask the areas you want to be embossed. For example, if you want only a logo to be embossed, your mask layer needs to cover the logo only.
• The Base Art layer will be the entire piece of art that would comprise both masked and embossed areas. The Spot Embossed layer will be used by us to set the print file up to give you your intended results.
• It’s important to note that large embossed areas (ex. a solid shape covering a third of the piece) on Cardstock will suffer quality issues, such as lines or defects in the finish. Please keep embossed areas to smaller elements. Multiple smaller elements will work as intended.
• Click here to learn more.

• Spot Embossing is used to physically embellish areas of your artwork. Your Metal covers can be given a big enhancement with Embossing.
• These files REQUIRE a layered PSD, PDF or TIFF file and must not be flattened (single layer only). The layered file must contain only two layers: the Base Art layer, and the Spot Emboss layer. The Spot Emboss layer will be set up as a solid color mask, and mask the areas you want to be embossed. For example, if you want only a logo to be embossed, your mask layer needs to cover the logo only.
• The Base Art layer will be the entire piece of art that would comprise both masked and embossed areas. The Spot Embossed layer will be used by us to set the print file up to give you your intended results.
• Unlike Spot Embossing on Cardstock, Spot Embossing on Metal allows you to use gradients and opacity levels to control the height of certain elements of your artwork. This allows you to give your Metal plates more of a 3-dimensional ‘relief’ type of look.
• Click here to learn more.

• Spot Embossing is used to physically embellish areas of your artwork. Your Metal covers can be given a big enhancement with Embossing.
• These files REQUIRE a layered PSD, PDF or TIFF file and must not be flattened (single layer only). The layered file must contain only two layers: the Base Art layer, and the Spot Emboss layer. The Spot Emboss layer will be set up as a solid color mask, and mask the areas you want to be embossed. For example, if you want only a logo to be embossed, your mask layer needs to cover the logo only.
• The Base Art layer will be the entire piece of art that would comprise both masked and embossed areas. The Spot Embossed layer will be used by us to set the print file up to give you your intended results.
• Unlike Spot Embossing on Cardstock, Spot Embossing on Metal allows you to use gradients and opacity levels to control the height of certain elements of your artwork. This allows you to give your Metal plates more of a 3-dimensional ‘relief’ type of look.
• Click here to learn more.

Text weight stock is thin, flexible and lightweight. Text weight stock is predominantly used for book interiors, and is teh default stock type for our books. Text weight is also referred to as book, bond, writing, ledger or offset paper.

Cover weight stock is thicker and more rigid than text weight stock. Cover stock is used for our flat products (Art Prints, Cards, Flyers, Bookmarks etc.) and as upgraded stocks for book covers. Cover stock is more commonly referred to as Cardstock.

70# Gloss Text Stock is most commonly used for comic book interiors with a glossy finish.

60# Matte Text Stock is used for comic book interiors for those who prefer something as close to newsprint as they can get via digital printing.

100# Text Stock is most commonly used stock for comic book covers.

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80# Gloss Cardstock is our lightest cardstock and commonly used stock for Book Covers or Art Prints for drop-shipping in tubes.

100# Matte Cardstock is commonly used for Art Prints that feature line art, watercolor or hand drawn work.

100# Gloss Cardstock is lighter, but sturdier and used for heavier Book Covers or lighter Art Prints.

111# Gloss Cardstock is most commonly used for Art Prints.

130# Gloss Cardstock is used most for Trading Cards, Bookmarks and Flyers.

Specialty Cardstocks are used for nearly all products we carry, with of course the exception of Book Interiors. ArtistExpress offers a host of Specialty Cardstocks, which are listed in a subsequent entry.

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Metallic Cardstock – Metallic finish on both sides of the sheet. Available in Gold, Silver, Pearl or Pearl Linen. Pearl Linen Metallic Cardstock has a canvas-like texture.

Holofoil Cardstock – Holofoil finish on front side of the sheet only. Available in Rainbow, Pixel, Lava Confetti, 2D3D, Crystal, Magma, Gold and Silver Holofoil.

Leather Cardstock – Simulated Leather texture on front side, inverted texture on back side of the sheet.

Sketch Cover Cardstock – Toothy drawing surface on both sides of the sheet.

Metal Plates – Printing on front side only. Available in Silver or Glow In The Dark finishes. For 2 sided Metal Plates, two single sided plates would need to be affixed together.

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• Orders can be placed via our Product Builder page. This page lists out nearly every product ArtistExpress offers, along with finishes, upgrades and your requested delivery date. Using the Product Builder, select the products and configurations you want to order, enter your delivery information, provide a link to your files and then submit your order for invoicing.
• Once we receive your order, we will draft an invoice for the order based on your selections and work out the best shipping rate and method to get your product to you if it is to ship, We will then send the invoice to the email the order was placed with for approval. Once you approve your invoice, you can pay it by navigating to our Payment page. On this page, you can scan the QR code or click on the image to be taken to our PayPal portal, where you can pay via Debit/Credit Card, PayPal, Venmo or Apple Pay. If you qualify, the option is also available to pay the invoice later via PayPal. Be sure to enter the invoice number, your name, and the invoice amount on this page in order to check out.
• Once we receive payment for your order, the quoted turnaround time clock will start.
• Click here to learn more.

• This is by design.
• First, we offer far too many product variables and options that it would be very easy to make a costly error if incorrect or contradictory options are picked by mistake or you forget a product or variant. We specialize in printing multiple variant covers with specific numbers and instructions and it’s easy for those to get incorrectly ordered. By sending in the order first before payment, we can check the order you place for accuracy, notify you if something seems amiss, and once we confirm with you everything is correct we then send the invoice.
• Second, since we pass the transaction directly through to our payment processor, we are one less service you have to worry about keeping your financial data stored online. With how easy consumer data can be stolen or manipulated, you don’t have to worry about sensitive financial data getting into the wrong hands using our services. We don’t store card information for transactions placed through the website.
• Click here to learn more.

Yes you can! On each product form, there is a button for adding more variations. Click that and an additional product form will pop up, and you can add the details for that product’s variations. For example, if you have a 24 page book and want to add a 32 page book, click the ‘Add More Book Variations’ button to bring up the additional product form to enter the details for the 32 page book.

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Yes you can!

This may be necessary if you have a particularly complicated order, a crowdfunded order or an overall large order that may be too cumbersome to enter through our website.

Send us an email at orders@artistexpress.net, and make sure to include all of the information typically listed in the Product Builder (Stock Types, Quantities, Finishes, Link to Files, Delivery Addresses etc.) and we can draft the invoice that way.

Click here to learn more.

• If you ordered a combination of any of these products below, turnaround time will be the longest duration of time listed.
• Stapled Books (No Metal): 3-5 Business Days + Shipping Time
• Stapled Books (With Metal): 5-10 Business Days + Shipping Time
• Perfect Bound Books (With or Without Metal): 5-10 Business Days + Shipping Time
• All Other Products (No Metal): 1-3 Business Days + Shipping Time
• All Other Products (With Metal): 5-7 Business Days + Shipping Time
• Depending on other factors such as order volume, proofing delays, stock availability or any other unforeseen circumstances, these turnaround times may change. We will notify you if that becomes apparent with your order to discuss a backup plan to ensure you get your product in time.
• Click here to learn more.

ArtistExpress sends invoices the same day if the order was placed within business hours. If the order was placed outside of business hours, you will receive it the next business day.

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Navigate to our Payment Page, scan the QR code or click on the image and it will take you to our Payment Processor. From there, follow the on-screen instructions to submit payment.

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ArtistExpress accepts PayPal, Paypal’s Pay Later option, Venmo and Debit/Credit card. For high dollar orders, we offer the option for ACH payment as well.

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Proofs are not mandatory, but strongly suggested. An example of Proofing being unnecessary is we often get requests for orders that have been previously printed. We verify the correct previously printed files are pulled by referring to these files by name on the invoice. It’s important to also check the invoice for accuracy. ArtistExpress is not responsible for unproofed files yielding undesirable results.

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Proofs are sent once ALL files for the order are accounted for and the invoice is paid. In some cases we will send proofs earlier due to timeliness for an order due to extenuating circumstances.

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Proofs are sent via an application known as Ziflow to the email used to place your order. Ziflow will contain print ready files for you to browse, along with a list of the files and notes to follow along with the Proofs. Proofs can either be approved or rejected, with the rejection giving you the opportunity to list out any discrepancies with the files versus what was ordered. If a Proof is rejected, a new round will be sent soon after with the discrepancies corrected.

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We send print ready spreads, referred to as Printer Spreads. Printer Spreads alternate from last page to first page in a criss-cross fashion, and when the book is stapled together, the pages will be in proper sequential format. We send these to ensure what you see is what goes to print.

You can find a guide on reading Printer Spreads here.

ArtistExpress offers photo and video proofs for certain projects that require it. We’ll send these proofs through Ziflow, or if there’s a large amount of photos/video to send, we’ll send them via Dropbox.

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Proofing is NOT counted in the turnaround time for your order. Regardless of if you choose to proof your files or not, we still take the time it takes to build your files to get ready to print. Proofing can be accomplished within a business day, and if you are diligent, within hours or even minutes. Be sure to whitelist ArtistExpress.net and Ziflow.io in your email provider to make sure proofing emails do not end up in your spam folder. If you do not respond to Proofs in a timely fashion, it WILL negatively affect the turnaround time for your order and cause you to miss a time sensitive delivery if you take too long to check them.

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ArtistExpress ships with UPS and USPS, including their expedited options. Typically, the most affordable and reliable method of shipping is UPS, so our invoices sent are quoted based on UPS shipping. USPS is reserved for customers preferential to them, or if your delivery address is a PO Box.

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Yes we do! ArtistExpress ships anywhere around the world. Courier options are dependent on the destination country.

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So long as an order is receivable with our shipping methods, we can ship anywhere in the world.

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Yes you can! Our pickup location is 1320 S. Priest Drive Suite 101 Tempe, AZ 85281. Pickup time is between 9am-4pm Monday through Friday.

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• UPS Ground (2-5 Days Shipping Time)
• UPS 3 Day Select (3 Business Days Shipping Time; delivery on weekdays only)
• UPS 2nd Day Air (2 Business Days Shipping Time; delivery on weekdays only)
• UPS Next Day Air (1 Business Day Shipping Time; delivery on weekdays only)
• UPS Ground Advantage (typically used for crowdfunding drop shipments)
• USPS Priority Mail (2-4 Days Shipping Time; Delivery date not guaranteed)
• USPS Priority Mail Express (2-3 Days Shipping Time; Delivery date not guaranteed)
• USPS First Class Mail (typically used for crowdfunding drop shipments; Delivery date not guaranteed)
• International (Either GlobalPost or UPS depending on country of origin; Delivery date not guaranteed)
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Yes they can! Just make sure to communicate who is picking up or receiving your order, along with the delivery address.

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Yes you can! Make sure to specify the quantity, numbering range (if product is numbered) and the recipient’s name and address for each shipment and we can split your order into multiple shipments.

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ArtistExpress started operations in late 2014, and has been in business ever since!

Our business hours are Monday-Friday. 8am-4:30pm MST.

The whole point of selling the products you order from us is to both fund the means to sell the product, and to grow your audience/fan base. We won’t give any pricing recommendations because every seller is different. That said, it’s recommended to take a look at what your contemporaries are selling similar products for (ex. Metal Books, Holofoil Books, Art Prints of various sizes etc.) and perhaps adjust your pricing accordingly. While the barrier of entry may seem high for some of our higher end products, the profit margins may be much higher and necessitate the print run.

Yes we do! ArtistExpress can help print, produce, package and dropship your orders for a given crowdfunded campaign! We have extensive experience handling campaigns from low 4 figures to high 6 figures! If you would like more information, email us! In the meantime, we will write up and post documentation here about what to expect.

ArtistExpress has worked with Kickstarter, Indiegogo, Backerkit, and a host of different webstores used by creators and artists alike. If the platform has exportable product and customer data, we can build out a workflow solution to manage and take care of your fulfillment.

There’s a multitude of design programs out there to make and format artwork. These ones have been proven to provide the best print-ready files and printing experience:

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat, etc.)
• Clip Studio Paint
• Procreate

If you’re looking to produce work to sell or build your product offering, bit the bullet and get one. If you want less back and forth communication and delays, less frustration, and the assurance that what you’re ordering will arrive as intended, picking up and learning a design program will surely help. You won’t be at the mercy of someone else to get your intended products to the finish line, and you will have more control over what you receive and can sell. Otherwise, even with us helping format your products, there’s a chance that you might not receive what you intended to order.

If you do require layout work outside of the scope of printing, such as putting the artistic elements of your book/product together, we do offer that type of work as an option. We will build print-ready files for you and give you a copy to keep for yourself. Email us with a request and we can help!