Guides

Cutter following a vector path at The Print Doctor
Vector vs raster artwork for print, and how to get a logo that scales
Vector is math and scales to any size. Raster is pixels and only shrinks well. Logos should be vector; photos are always raster. Read more...
Vinyl roll library at The Print Doctor
Window graphics: perforated vinyl vs clear vs static cling vs inside-mount
Perforated for full-window images you can see out of, clear for a logo on glass, static cling for seasonal, inside-mount for weather protection. Read more...
Corrugated plastic yard sign on a stake
Yard signs: sizes, single vs double sided, stakes, and artwork that reads from the street
18 x 24 is the workhorse, two sides for a corner lot, H-stakes through the flutes, and no more than seven words. Read more...
Business cards on 16pt stock with a matte finish
Business card stocks and finishes explained: 13pt to 18pt, AQ, UV, matte, linen and silk
Point size is thickness, the finish is the feel. Here is what each combination in the catalog is good for. Read more...
Finished sign work from The Print Doctor
Car magnets vs vehicle decals: sizes, thickness and care
Magnets come off for the weekend and swap between vehicles. Decals are permanent and cheaper per door. Here is how to choose and size them. Read more...
Vinyl cutter at The Print Doctor
Die-cut vs kiss-cut stickers, and which finish to pick
Die-cut for a shape you hand out, kiss-cut for a peelable sticker on a backing, sheets for many at once. Then pick the finish for where it lives. Read more...
Hemmed and grommeted vinyl banner from The Print Doctor
Vinyl banner sizes, hems, grommets and file setup
Pick the size by reading distance, choose vinyl or mesh by the wind, and build the file at 100 dpi with a one-inch quiet zone. Read more...
Press detail at The Print Doctor
What the file check flags, and how to fix each warning
Size mismatch, missing bleed, low resolution, RGB color, missing fonts, wrong page count: what each one means and the fastest fix. Read more...
Registration detail on the wide-format press at The Print Doctor
How to prepare a print-ready file: bleed, safe area, resolution, CMYK and fonts
Bleed, safe area, resolution, color mode and fonts. Get these five right and almost any file prints clean. Read more...