How do I create a vector design that will meet all the requirements for a plot printing (Flex / Flock) format?

Vector designs can be created with Corel Draw, Inkscape, or Adobe Illustrator. Please take note of the following tips:

Convert all design elements and text into curves (paths.)

Adobe Illustrator
The first step is to delete all pixel (bitmap) information. Do this by selecting the pixel information and pressing the delete button on your keyboard. After the pixel information has been deleted, you will need to select all of the design elements (Ctrl A.) Then in the top menu bar, go to Object/Flatten Transparency. On the settings, slide the bar to 100% vector, and check the Convert all Text to Outlines and also check the Convert all Strokes to Outlines . Next, go to the Pathfinder and click on the Merge option. If you don’t see the Pathfinder palette, go to Window/Pathfinder. To finish up, go to Object/Path/Clean Up, and check all three boxes and click OK.

*Please note that vector designs are limited to 3 colors and should not exceed 11.8 x 11.8 inches.

Corel Draw
The first step in Corel Draw is to open your Object Manager from the Tools, so that you can see all elements of your design. Second, delete all pixel information by selecting the bitmap element (shown in your Object Manager,) and clicking on the trash can at the bottom of the Object Manager window. Select all design elements, right-click, and select convert into curves . Delete all empty , or no-fill curves . Then select all curves of the same color by pressing the Control (Command) key and clicking on the curves of the same color. Once these curves are selected, combine them by right-clicking and selecting combine , or use the key command Control (Command) L. Repeat this step until all colors have been combined into one curve per color.

*Please note that vector designs are limited to 3 colors and should not exceed 11.8 x 11.8 inches.

Proof the minimum size of the object

After the conversion into curves (or paths,) it is necessary to proof every object in the design for a minimum size of .06 inches. It is helpful to draw a small circle or square with dimensions of .06 in. x .06 in. and drag it over the thinnest elements of the design. If the design element is larger than the .06 in shape, then the design will be able to be printed. If the design element is smaller than the .06 in. shape, then the design will not be able to be printed.

Save/Export designs as .eps

Before uploading, your design should be saved or exported into .eps format.

When using Adobe Illustrator, go to File/Save As, and select EPS (make sure the box for "include CMYK PostScript in RGB files" is unchecked before saving.) When using Corel Draw this can be done by going to File/Export/Encapsulated PostScript (EPS.)

A common mistake occurs when the pixel design is opened in a vector graphic program (such as Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw,) and is then saved with the .eps file extension. This does not mean the content of the .eps file is vector, it is still a pixel design and will need to be vectorized before saving.