Artwork Submission: How do I submit artwork to Monitor?
Artwork files fewer than 2MB, may be emailed to your Monitor Account Manager. Artwork files larger than 2MB must be sent to Monitor on a CD or uploaded to Monitor using Monitor’s FTP Site. For more information on uploading files using the client access section of Monitor’s Website or to receive a username and password, please contact your Monitor Account Manager.
Vector Art Files:
Files that are going to be printed in spot colors are usually going to be in vector art. Vector art in non-resolution dependant. Therefore the printer and not the art controls the resolution. This allows resizing of art without changes to the resolution quality.
Acceptable Vector Art Files:
.ai (CS3 or lower)
.eps
.pdf (no placed images)
Creating Usable Vector Art:
– Convert all text to outlines
– Do not use placed or linked images within the file (photographic images, etc.)
– Include Pantone® (PMS) Color pallet
Unacceptable Files:
Word document, PowerPoint and other non graphic programs are unacceptable. Corel Draw (.cdr) and Freehand (.fh) are not supported. Please ask designers to export files in .eps format.
Photographic Images:
All photographic images should be submitted as reaster art. Raster art is resolution dependent. Therefore the artwork dictates the image quality. Resizing raster artwork will directly affect image quality. Size increases will lower resolution and create pixilated (jagged) edges.
Acceptable File Extensions:
– .psd (Adobe Photoship CS) – preferred
– ,jpg
– .tiff
– .pdf (no placed images, native file only)
Creating Usable Raster Art:
– Provide 300 dpi or more at final print size
– Minimum resolution accepted is 150 dpi but quality will be marginal
– Pantone® matches will incur extra costs.
PMS Colors:
Yes, the original PMS information will be passed to production with your artwork, but you should also note your PMS colors as this will ensure your specifications are included with your order. This is especially important if you are uploading a non-EPS file because these files cannot include PMS information. You may incur additional charges for PMS color matches on certain items and there is no guarantee they will be a 100% match.
Four-Color Process:
Four-color process is a printing technique that uses combinations of varying sizes of blue (cyan), red (magenta), yellow (yellow), and black (black) dots to create images. You see four-color process printing every day in color pictures in newspapers. It is also sometimes called CMYK. If you have a photographic or painting-like image, chances are you will want to use a four-color process for decorating your product. Four-color process will recreate a photo-realistic image. It is also sometimes used to represent artwork that uses more than four solid colors because four-color process can be more economical.
Orders are shipped Free On Board (FOB) from their point of manufacture. In most cases, Monitor will ship using Fed Ex or UPS. For items that are too large or too heavy, we will send them via trucking line and you will be notified.
We are able to deliver to most locations in the United States. However, due to UPS, Fed Ex and carrier restrictions, we cannot deliver to PO boxes, Air Post Office (APO), or Fleet Post Office (FPO) addresses.
If you would like to have us ship your order and bill it to your own shipping account, we ask you to provide us with the carrier name and the account number on the quote page.
In all cases where you have not specified a third party billing account, we will add the freight to the invoice. All shipments require a signature to receive, and UPS shipments are sent insured.
Saturday deliveries must be in the continental US and meet the UPS Saturday delivery requirements. Saturday deliveries must be shipped UPS Red next day delivery. All Saturday deliveries will incur an additional charge. There are no Holiday deliveries available.
Please note that using Overnight or Second Day shipping does not mean that you will receive your order the next day. Delivery time is based on the time it takes to produce your item plus the shipping time. Please see Delivery Times for more details.
Oversized, very large or heavy shipments will all be sent via an LTL (Less than Truck Load) carrier.
Monitor ships from multiple facilities throughout the US. If you have ordered multiple items, they may ship from different facilities. As a result, they may arrive to you at different times and in separate shipments. Additionally, when ordering multiple items you may specify different methods of shipping per item. For example, if you order 72 tee shirts for an HR event and 360 mugs for distribution by your sales force, you could instruct us to ship the tee shirts UPS Blue PM (second day) to make sure they arrive for the event. To save money, since there is no urgency associated with the mugs, they could be shipped UPS ground.
Should the items be lost or damaged in transit when using third party billing, Monitor is not responsible for damages incurred to the shipment. All claims or charges must be filed by you with your freight carrier. We will be happy to assist you in any way with any problems that you may encounter.
Delivery Times:
There are a couple of factors in this equation. You need to consider the time it takes to produce your item and the shipping method you selected. Production time + Shipping time = Delivery time. As an example, let’s assume a customer orders an engraved shovel with a production time of “10 business days” and choose ground shipping, which take 7 to 10 business days to arrive. The customer would add the 10 production days plus the 7 to 10 days for shipment you have a total delivery time of 17 to 20 business days. We can normally produce and ship your item within the quoted time. When there is a problem with producing an item within the quoted time, we will notify you. When you order several different items, they may arrive in separate shipments. Please note that each item ordered should arrive within its total delivery time. Ordering multiple line items should neither speed up nor slow down your order. Production time is based on receiving design information and a signed order confirmation with valid method of payment including any required pre-payments. On orders where you have requested Samples and Pre-Production Proofs, the production timing begins when we receive your approval. All times reflect business days.
Rush Orders:
We will be more than happy to work with you to find a solution. By working with our manufacturers, we will try to speed a product through that will meet your requirements. In many cases, additional charges are associated with rush orders and they will be quoted separately.
Pre-Production Proofs:
A pre-production proof is a production sample. When you place your order, you can request a pre-production proof for an additional fee. We will make one sample with your custom imprint that will be shipped to you just prior to your order being produced. Once you approve the sample, your order will be manufactured in standard production time.
Minimum Orders:
Minimum quantity requirements vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. In cases where a manufacturer’s minimum order requirement exceeds your requested quantity, a Monitor rep will assist you. Short production runs can be arranged (at a higher cost per unit) and our team is happy to provide a special quote or other recommendations to get you the right product.
Over Runs / Under Runs:
In certain instances you may receive an overage or a shortage on your order. Due to manufacturing quality and production standards there will be over runs and occasionally under runs. Monitor will do everything possible to reduce this occurrence. The industry standard on most products is +-5%. For instance, if you order 1,000 mugs you could potentially receive between 950 and 1,050 mugs. Exceptions to the above are paper and plastic bags, which may vary +-25%.
Order Changes or Cancellations:
Monitor will make every effort, upon your request, to change or cancel your order. If the order has not yet started the production process, no additional change or cancellation fees will be applied. In the case of changes, the setup fees may vary from the original quote depending on your requirements.
If the order has reached the pre-production set up phase, there may be cancellation or change charges that apply. All of these charges will be a direct pass through from the manufacturer to you. In the case of changes, the setup fees may be different depending on your requirements.
If an item has begun production, unfortunately, we cannot stop or change the order. We can, if you wish, prevent shipment or redirect it. You will be charged the original amount quoted for all orders cancelled at this stage.
First-Time Customers:
Monitor Premiums requires all new customers to fill out a Credit Application Form. All new customer must pay for their first orders in advance. 50% of the payment must be submitted before production, and 50% of the payment must be submitted before the item ships to the final destination.
Credit Applications:
Monitor Premiums will extend credit to approved customers. A credit check will be performed based upon information submitted with your order profile, and appropriate payment terms will be established. We will notify you when your account is approved, generally within three (3) business day from when an order is submitted. In the event that you do not meet our minimum credit requirements, there are other options available to you. Our Sales or Customer Service Representative will contact you to discuss those options.
Upon Credit Approval, payment terms are typically net 30 days – all payments are due 30 days from the date of invoice. You will be invoiced when the last item on your order is shipped.
If you have an existing account, there are conditions under which your account may be placed on credit hold: