After editing your design to your liking you are ready to save it and print it. The two most common file types to use in printing are .JPEG and .PDF. Most print shops will require you to upload one of these files when you want to order prints from your template with them.
IMPORTANT UPDATE 2022 - I began to notice that with the newer version of Adobe Photoshop CC that I use myself (I use a subscription to Adobe Photoshop CC), it became harder and sometimes even impossible to save as a .JPEG file. The reason for this is an update from Adobe itself and a little explanation that I found online:
"JPEG is an extremely
limited file format. It supports very little of what you normally do to
an image in Photoshop. So to save as jpeg, you need to discard a lot of data. No layers, no 16 bit depth etc."
Not really what I would have liked to hear since most of my clients will want to save their files as a JPEG. But I've found a solution for now, if there are any updates I will share them with you.
♥ SAVING YOUR FILE AS A .JPEG OR .PDF FOR PRINTING
1. The first thing to do when saving for printing is to merge all your layers in the template to 1 (one) layer only. Hold your SHIFT button and start clicking on each layer in the design (from top to bottom) with your mouse. You will see that all the layers will get a gray color.
2. Once every layer is clicked and turned gray, click with your right mouse button on the layer area. A pop-up emerges. Select 'Merge Layers' from the pop-up.
3. When that is done you will see that all the layers now merged into just one layer.
4. Now it is time to save your file. Click on the 'File' button in the upper left corner. A pop-up with selections will emerge.
5. If you want to save as a .PDF file, please select 'Save as...' - if you want to save as a .JPEG file, please select the option below the Save as option, that one is called 'Save Copy'.
6. With both options you will get a pop-up screen where you can select the file you need. You can give your file a different name now if you like.
7. Now you're done with editing and saving your template and you can print it out at home or send it to a print shop for printing.
♥ PRINTING YOUR DESIGN
Once you have saved your file as a .PDF or .JPEG it is ready to be printed. You can of course print it out at home, but most people will prefer using a print shop, local or online.
An online print shop will ask you to upload your file during the ordering process of your printings.
While my designs are based on card templates from MOO, Vistaprint and Millerslab, it is not necessary to print your files out with these companies. The sizes of the designs are all US standard sizes for postcards and letters, so most printing companies will be able to work with these designs. The postcard templates also work for A6 international size postcards.
Please be aware that the end result of your printed product does not only depend on the quality of the file (image resolutions etc.) but also on the paper/cardstock you decide to use for your prints.
Also understand that colors can look different on all screens (depending on the color settings of a screen). Therefore your final print result may vary slightly in color from what you see on your computer screen.
