Hey there!

 

Welcome back to Seek + Source Summer Camp! This week, we’re embracing a classic camp experience—a rainy day. When it’s pouring outside, it’s the perfect time to stay cozy inside and get some important work done. Today, we’re diving into the nitty-gritty of file prep for my pillow covers to finally order samples. Ready to get started?

 

File preparation is a crucial step to ensure that your product turns out exactly as you envision it. Here are some key points to consider when preparing your files:

- Templates: Always ask your manufacturer if they have a template you should use. This ensures that your design fits perfectly within their production parameters.

- Color Mode: Confirm the color mode your manufacturer prefers. Using the correct color mode ensures your colors come out as expected.

- Proofs: Ask if the manufacturer offers proofs. A proof is a sample of your design as it will appear on the final product. This step is crucial for catching any errors or making adjustments before the full production run.

- File Format: Check what file format the manufacturer requires. Common formats include AI, PSD, and PDF. Ensuring your files are in the correct format helps prevent delays and errors.

- Resolution: Ensure your files are high resolution (at least 300 DPI) to avoid pixelation and maintain quality.

 

This is the kind of interaction that makes my heart sing camp songs at top notch:

🌧️ Fun Camp Activity: Rainy Day File Prep 

Let’s turn this rainy day into a productive one with some file prep! Here’s what to do:

- Color Check: Figure out what mode your file is in. This will be handy to know once you start looking for your own manufacturers.

 

Remember the Seek + Source Scavenger hunt? Go find the blog post most relevant to communicating with factories about your artwork.

 

At the bottom of the blog will be a button to submit your name and answer this week’s question: What part of file prep seems the hardest to communicate?

Remember- The winner will get a seat at the next Manufacture: Awesome group at the end of September. I can’t wait to eliminate the fear of of sourcing new products and get into the nitty gritty process of sourcing products overseas! The winner will be chosen on a live call September 23!

Stay tuned for next week, where we’ll dive into the exciting process of ordering samples.