We make your print experience with us simple, easy, and friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

A. Uploading Your Files

1.    Where do I upload my files?
2.    Can I upload my files before making payment?
3.    What type of files do you accept?
4.    What is the maximum file size that can be uploaded?
5.    How do I order multiple sets of a product?
6.    Can my graphic designer upload files for me?

B. File Preparation and Troubleshooting

1.    Do you accept Publisher or Word Document files?
2.    What is “bleed”, “safe area”, and “cut line”?
3.    Do I need to use a product template?
4.    What is CMYK and RGB?
5.    What is 300dpi?
6.    Can I write on UV coating?
7.    How do I know if your graphics department will set up two-sided artwork correctly?
8.    What if my file is missing fonts?
9.    What are print-ready files?

C. Your Order Details

1.    How can I check the status of my order?
2.    How can I place a re-order?
3.    What if I found a mistake in my order?
4.    How can I cancel my order?

D. Payment and Sales Tax

1.    What is the Price Match Guarantee?
2.    What Payment Methods do you accept?
3.    How do I sign up for PayPal?
4.    What do I do if I have questions about my PayPal account?
5.    Do you charge sales tax on any item?

E. Shipping and Turnaround Time

1.    What is the “All 4INKPrint Customers Receive Free Shipping?”
2.    What shipping options do you offer?
3.    Do you ship to PO boxes or Military APO/FPO addresses?
4.    What are your hours of operation?
5.    What turnaround options do you offer?
6.    When does my turnaround time begin?
7.    Does my turnaround include shipping?

A. Uploading Your Files

1. Where do I upload my files?
When clicked on the "Special Offers", you will be directed to an upload page that will allow you to upload your files through browsing your computer. For all other orders, you will receive an email with a direct link to a order-specific upload page that will allow you to upload your files by filling the upload form and clicking "Browse" and "Upload". It's that simple- there's no need to create user accounts, and no need to remember usernames and passwords!

2. Can I upload my files before making payment?
Yes. All orders must first be uploaded before making payment. However, orders will not be processed until payment has been made and processing confirmation has been provided to you via email.

3. What type of files do you accept?
We require that you submit artwork in one of the following formats:
.ai, .eps, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .psd, .tif, tiff., or .pdf (recommended).
Remember to outline all fonts, add proper bleeds (if necessary) and flatten your files before uploading.
Click here to download a FREE Product Template and start your design with these guidelines.

4. What is the maximum file size that can be uploaded?
Although we do not enforce a specific file size limit, we recommend uploading files no larger than 50MB. To reduce your file size, we recommend that you “zip” or “stuff” them.

5. How do I order multiple sets of a product?
At this time, we do not offer the ability to place orders of multiple sets at once. The quantity you select on the quote page, or the quantity specified on the "Special Offers", is for 1 set per product. For example, if you have 5 different business cards, and would like to have 5 sets of 1000 unique cards, you would need to re-quote for each set and receive a unique upload link for each set.

6. Can my graphic designer upload files for me?
Yes. Simply forward your email which contains the link to the upload page. Keep in mind that you can also download and email any of our FREE templates to you graphic designer.

B. File Preparation and Troubleshooting

1. Do you accept Publisher or Word Document files?
We do not accept native Publisher or Word Document files. However, there are several free 3rd party tools that can assist to convert your Publisher or Word files into a format we can accept, preferably PDF files. You can search on Google or Yahoo! to find the most suitable converting tool for you.

2. What is “bleed”, “safe area”, and “cut line”?

What is Bleed?
A bleed area is when an image extends beyond the cut line of the printed product. If your image is not white on all four sides, you MUST include an extra 1/8” (.125”) to each side of the file. This allows for that extra 1/8” (0.125") on each side of the card to be trimmed after the printing is complete. For example, for a 2” x 3.5” business card with full bleed, the image size should be submitted at 2.25” x 3.75”

What is Safe Area?
Safe area is a margin within the cut line which will prevent text or type from being cut off. It is imperative that no text or essential parts of your artwork come within 1/8” of the trim line. Due to mechanical tolerance during the cutting process, any content within 1/8” of the trim line may be cut off.

What is Cut Line?
The cut line is where your product will be trimmed to, once the bleed area is removed. But please remember, due to cutting tolerances of printing, the cut may shift up to 1/16 of an inch in any direction.
Click here to get a Product Template start your design with these guidelines.

3. Do I need to use a product template?
Although it is not required, we encourage you to use our templates as this may prevent delays in processing your files. These templates include guidelines for bleed and safe area. Download a product template to start your design with step-by-step guidelines. For more information about these template guidelines, click here.

4. What is CMYK and RGB?
Whenever submitting a digital file to any printer, it is important to be working in the proper color mode. Most design or layout software gives you the option of working in RGB or CMYK.

What is CMYK?
CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black). This is the industry standard process colors used in full-color offset printing. The combination of these four colors can produce a wide spectrum of colors. Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow combine to create the color, while Black is used to change the shade of the color.

What is RGB?
RGB stands for Red, Green, and Blue. These are most commonly used with web design, television screens and computer monitors but are not used in offset printing. RGB files should be converted to CMYK prior to uploading. Colors may need to be adjusted after the conversion and may not appear correct on your monitor.

5. What is 300dpi?
Dpi stands for dots per square inch. This refers to the amount of pixels in one square inch of a graphical image. The higher the dpi of an image the better the quality the image will be. All artwork, designs and images must be provided in minimum of 300 dpi and CMYK color mode.

6. Can I write on UV coating?
UV coating cannot be written on. However, we do offer a matte or aqueous coating on several products, which is writeable.

7. How do I know if your graphics department will set up two-sided artwork correctly?
You must upload artwork so that the finished piece backs up correctly. On two-sided work, the head of one side backs up to the head of the other side. The head of a page is defined by the top of the rendered proof and the bottom is called the foot.

8. What if my file is missing fonts?
If your file(s) is missing fonts, you need to convert your text to outlines before uploading your files. Converting your text to outlines is the most effective way to ensure your typefaces look exactly as you designed them. Once text has been converted to outlines, it can no longer be typeset like standard text layers, so be sure to save your source files accordingly. For detailed instructions on converting your text to outlines, please click here.

9. What are print-ready files?
Print-ready files are files that adhere to our file submission requirements. For more information about setting up your print-ready files, click here.

C. Your Order Details

1. How can I check the status of my order?
Once an order ships, an order confirmation will be e-mailed to you with a tracking number so that you can know exactly when your item will be arriving. You can also check the scheduled shipment date by referring to our turnaround section.

2. How can I place a re-order?
Please visit our contact page and select “reorder” from the drop-down menu and include your order number in the field labeled “Quote or Job Number”. Due to system requirements, all electronic files for job orders will not be kept in our system for more than 45 days after order date. All files need to be re-submitted each time an order is placed. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

3. What if I found a mistake in my order?
Please review your order prior to submitting. As a customer, you are responsible for the accuracy of your artwork. 4INKPrints does not accept changes to orders after they have been uploaded. Customer is fully responsible for final artwork approval prior to the printing process. 4INKPrints is NOT LIABLE for errors in a final product caused by any of the following reasons: Misspelling, Grammar, Punctuation, Graphics, Bleeds, Resolution, Damage Fonts, Un-outlined Fonts, Wrong cuts, Crop Marks, Transparency, 10% Over/under print, Finished Product Size. We DO NOT make any changes on customer files. If in fact, you do notice any defects and want to make a claim, you must notify 4INKPrints within 3 business days of order acceptance via our contact page. Please make sure to include your order number.

4. How can I cancel my order?
You can only cancel your order before payment has been made. Once payment has been processed, no cancelations are allowed thereafter. If you have uploaded your files but have not made payment yet, your order will automatically cancel after 45 days.

D. Payment Options

1. What is the Price Match Guarantee?
Our Price Match Guarantee is our way of showing you that 4INKPrints offers you the best prices anywhere in the nation. So much so that we have a 100% Price Match Guarantee. If you find a lower price on another website than what you have been quoted on 4INKPrints.com, we will honor and match it! 4INKPrints will price match with any advertised prices. In order to qualify for a price match you must submit similar product with similar quantity, turnaround time, and pricing structure.

2. What Payment Methods do you accept?
4INKPrints.com accepts Paypal, a safe, easy way to pay for purchases online without having to provide your credit card number directly to merchants. Paypal accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and bank account transfers.

3. How do I sign up for PayPal?
You can create a PayPal account at www.paypal.com.

4. What do I do if I have questions about my PayPal account?
You may contact PayPal customer service by calling 888-221-1161 or go to www.paypal.com for support and additional information.

5. Do you charge sales tax on any item?
9.75% sales tax will be added to orders being shipped to California.

E. Shipping and Turnaround Time

1. What is the “Take advantage of FREE Shipping”?
Yes, it’s true! All customers receive FREE UPS Ground Shipping on their order.

2. What shipping options do you offer?
Our primary method of shipping is via UPS. You can choose from the following shipping options:
UPS Ground
UPS 3 Day Select
UPS 2nd Day Air
UPS Next Day Air


Please note that for ALL orders NO MATTER which service you choose, you will be E-MAILED a tracking number for your shipment. It is your right to know where your package is.

3. Do you ship to PO boxes or Military APO/FPO addresses?
Unfortunately, we do not ship to PO boxes or Military APO/FPO addresses.

4. What turnaround options do you offer?
We offer a range of turnaround options to choose from. Prices will vary based on the option you choose. Depending on the product, you can choose from the following turnaround options:
Next Business Day
2-4 Business Days
5-7 Business Days
7-9 Business Days

5. What are your hours of operation?
Our office hours are Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Pacific Standard Time

6. When does my turnaround time begin?
Turnaround time represents the business days required to produce the artwork. Turnaround time begins once you have made payment and after your order has been processed by our Prepress Department. You will received a confirmation email that your job has been processed, after which your turnaround time begins.

Next Business Day Turnaround: All jobs processed by 10:00 AM will be ready the next day by 6:00 PM. Please note: Problem jobs or processing delays won't be considered as next business day.

Standard Turnaround: All orders processed by 1:00 PM with a turnaround of 2-4, 5-7 or 7-9 business days will count as part of the standard turnaround. Please note: Problem jobs or processing delays won't be considered to count as part of the standard turnaround.

7. Does my turnaround include shipping?
Turnaround time represents the business days required to produce the artwork. Shipping time is not included in the turnaround time.

Any other questions? We’ll be happy to answer them. Contact us for more answers.