Art FAQs & Guidelines
Are you a creative pro? Download one of our product specific template and anything you can dream in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop or InDesign. Please follow the guidelines below to set up your files to optimize them to print for flags, banners and other large format signage.
Art Policy
To ensure that you are satisfied with your order, all print files must be set up according to the specifications on this page.
We are happy to provide basic design assistance at no charge. If you need help creating a design from scratch or redrawing a logo in vector format, please see our Artwork & Design Services page for more information on available services.
All artwork must be approved by the customer before we will start production. Proofs will be sent within 1 business day of the later of order placement or receipt of artwork.
Reviewing Your Art
Before submitting your artwork please confirm the following has been completed:
Template
Templates are provided for all of our core products. Please select the appropriate template for the product and size you are purchasing. Each template provides instructions specific to that product.
Do not resize any templates.Templates are pre-set to work with our printers at an appropriate scale.
When using a template to create a design in Adobe Photoshop® please delete the template layer before saving.
If you are creating artwork for a non-standard size which does not have an available template, please set up. your artwork to size and we will add any required finishing allowances or bleed prior to proofing.
Colors
For the best color match we strongly recommend using Pantone® Solid Coated Values, CMYK values are also acceptable.
Any artwork provided with RGB values will be converted to the closest CMYK equivalent.
We cannot print any colors that are metallic, foiled, or reflective.Colors represented on digital proofs when looking on a computer screen or mobile device can look different from the final printed result.
Prevent inconsistent black colors by using rich black throughout your file. You can create a custom color for “rich black” by using: Cyan=0% | Magenta=0% | Yellow=0% | Black=100%.
Fonts
Fonts can vary from computer to computer. When a font is missing, the computer replaces it with a generic font. To ensure that the final printed product uses the desired font, please make sure to outline, embed or convert fonts to curves prior to submitting your artwork.
Images
Most programs allow the user to add an object or image to a file by either linking or embedding it. Embedded images are stored within the document itself, while linked files are not. Because of this, linked files can become unlinked and "go missing" when opened on a different computer. Please embed all images to avoid missing any elements from your final design.
Spelling & Grammar
Please remember to check for any spelling and grammar issues. While BestFlag will provide a proof of how your artwork will look visually, we are not responsible for actually proofing your documents for spelling or grammatical errors.
Proper Format
Confirm artwork has been saved in one of the approved formats listed below
Adobe Illustrator® CC to CS5File Formats: .ai / .eps / .pdf
Adobe Photoshop® CC to CS5File Formats: .tif / .psd / .eps .pdf / .jpg
Unacceptable File Formats:Quark, Corel Draw, Word, Power Point, Excel, Publisher, Pagemaker, Low Resolution Scanned images, and InDesign files unless exported to an .eps or .pdf format. Supplying these formats can cause additional art charges or a delay in proofing.
Vector vs Raster
Vector images, created in programs such as Adobe Illustrator®, can be enlarged almost indefinitely while still retaining sharp lines, clean edges and consistent colors.
Raster images, such as photos or images created in Adobe Photoshop®, are pixel-based and lose clarity when the image is enlarged. Though we can print high quality, high resolution raster files, we cannot guarantee quality or color matching.
While a raster file might be sufficient for printing smaller items like business cards or letterhead, because of the large format nature of our printing, vector files are STRONGLY preferred over raster files. Please use these types of files for any logos, illustrations or fonts whenever possible.
Submitting Artwork
You will have the option to upload art while placing your order. This is the preferred method, as it eliminates any confusion with matching art to an order. If you need additional time to create your design (or can't upload it for any reason), you may always send it to us later.
For files over 20mb upload using Bestflag | Wetransfer
Intellectual Property
You acknowledge that you have the legal rights to use and reproduce any images, slogans or other information in the artwork which you submit to BestFlag for printing. You agree not to upload, submit or request to be printed any artwork that a) could give rise to any civil or criminal liability, either for you or BestFlag or b) could infringe upon the rights of privacy, publicity, copyrights or other intellectual property rights without the express permission of the owner of these rights. BestFlag reserves the right to refuse to print any material that it believes could be in violation of any laws or intellectual property rights of another party, or any material that it deems to be profane, obscene or otherwise objectionable.
Our Design Options
Our products are fully customizable, so there are no limits to your creativity or designs.
Design Online
Easily create a great design using our online design tool. Upload a logo, add text, pull from our image gallery & more.
Use Template
Are you a creative pro? Download one of our product templates and design anything you can dream in Adobe.
Design For Me
Have an idea but don’t quite know how to design it yourself? Give our team a call and let us bring your idea to life.
Design Online
User Friendly Tools
Our online designer has a simple easy to use set of tools that allow you to quickly select background colors, upload images, and add your own text.
Large Image & Icon Library
Our online designer has a large library of high quality images along with vector icons to easily add to your design.
Instant Proof Approval
When using the online designer tool you will be able to review your design and submit approval yourself. This allows for the quickest possible turnaround. A little worried about approving the design yourself? No worries, there will be an additional option to have our team do a secondary review for you.
Free Design Review
During the approval process you will have the option to have our team review your design and send over a secondary proof for your approval before production would begin. You would receive this proof within 1 business day of placing your order.
Use Template
Adobe Compatible Templates
Our templates are capable with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Indesign. However, they are optimized to work best with Adobe Illustrator with built in design and template layers.
Detailed Guidelines & Instructions
All custom product templates will have detailed design instructions. Each template will also have all bleed, finishing, and safe areas clearly marked with our color coded system with provided measurements.
Easy Design Submissions
When your design is completed and you are in the process of placing your order, we offer multiple ways of submitting your design. You are able to upload the file directly to our site using a desktop or mobile device, provide a link to download for larger files, or you can choose to email us over the file later. No matter the file size or number of designs we make uploads easy.
Free Design Review & Proof
Once your order and artwork have been submitted, a member of our design team will create a digital proof of your design. This proof will be sent within 1 business day of your submission. Please note that any delays in approving the proof may result in production delays.
Design For Me
Basic
FREE
Our basic design option caters to customers with vector or high resolution graphics who may need help arranging their elements. This option also covers adding a background color and simple text elements.
Standard
$50/hr
Have a concept in mind, but need help bringing it all together? Work one on one with one of our design team members to bring your idea to life.
Professional
$100/hr
Looking to go to the next level? Work with our senior creative team to create an agency-quality design or program. In addition to getting an unbelievable result for your custom flags and banners, this service includes all of the original Adobe CC files for you to use however you want for future projects.
Not sure what is right for you?
If you are not sure which design option is right for you, or you would like to send us over your design details for a quote. Please fill out the form below. Someone from our design team will reach out to you within 1 business day.
