Handbook Printing

Non-account holders can place orders, but we recommend creating a free Mixam account and signing in. Select an item from the categories at the top of the website, and choose your print specifications, free quote and estimated shipping date via the Instant Quote Calculator. Click Add to Cart, then Continue, and upload your files to your Artwork tab. Visit our How To Print With Mixam Support Page for more information.

You can create artwork by hand, scan it or photograph it and upload images to your desktop. You can also use graphic design programs like Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Canva, or Affinity Publisher. To ensure print-ready files before upload, download Our Instant Quote Calculator's downloadable PDF templates to lay out your designs. Alternatively, click the Design Online Tool to create artwork in your order (visit our Support Page for more information).

Bleed is an extension of artwork or color(s) to minimize unprinted edges appearing when we cut your prints to size. Most items require a 0.125” bleed, including Flat items and the inner pages and covers on Bound and Paperback items. You don’t need to include bleed if no artwork or color(s) meet the page edges. Visit our Bleed Support Page or contact our team for help.

Start a pending order by adding a quote to your Cart and clicking Continue. Please label your files clearly before uploading with names like Page_1, Page_2, etc., so our system can place your files chronologically. Drag and drop files from your desktop or upload them from your computer, online file-sharing accounts like Dropbox, or a web URL. You can upload single and multi-page files to orders. Visit our Print File Setup Guide for more information.

You can upload many file types, and we’ll convert them into high-quality PDFs. You can submit them as single, double, or individual files. Ensure your files are in CMYK color mode before uploading. Visit our Color Guide for Printing and File Formats Support Page to view the complete list of accepted file types.

A multi-piece shipment refers to a single order containing multiple items. Once you add your first quote to your Shopping Cart, you can repeat the process for the same item or add a quote for another item via the categories at the top of the website. You can then upload your files to each item in one order.

Once you’ve uploaded files in your order’s Artwork tab, you can preview them via Thumbnails, an Online Preview and Downloadable Proof. Mixam’s automatic file checker will scan your files, but please also check all files manually, especially your Downloadable Proof, to review and fix issues before we send your order to production. Visit our Proofing Support Page for more information, and contact our print experts by chat, email or phone for assistance.

The cut-off time for Confirmed orders is 4 pm CT every workday. It would help to confirm your order before these times to secure your estimated shipping date. Unconfirmed orders may mean you receive a new estimated delivery date. Visit our Shipping and Delivery Support Page for more information.

We aim to get your order to you by or on the estimated date you choose on our Instant Quote Calculator. While all shipping dates are not guaranteed, we’ll inform you at the earliest opportunity if a delay occurs. Visit our Shipping and Delivery Support Page for more information, and contact our team in advance if you have a deadline, and we’ll try to accommodate.

You can familiarize yourself with our quality, products and paper stocks by ordering free printed samples here. You can also create a test print before placing a larger order by ordering one copy via our Instant Quote Calculator. Please note that shipping can take longer depending on your location, but you can contact our team if you have any questions.

Upload one 300 dpi PDF file to your Artwork tab containing a back cover, spine, and front cover design. You only need to include a spine design file if you're printing a Perfect (PUR) item. If you do not upload a spine design file, the spine area will remain blank. Ensure your design matches the dimensions you selected in your initial quote, and before uploading, label it with a name like cover.pdf so our system can automatically put it in the correct place. Visit our Print File Setup Guide for more information.

A spine refers to the edge where the outer covers and interior pages are bound, typically featuring artwork, the publication title and the author's name. For Perfect (PUR) items, upload a single PDF file or design one as part of a cover spread at 300 dpi. You can find your spine dimensions in your Shopping Cart or Artwork tab. Add 0.125" bleed to the top and bottom of your spine. For Hardcover items, add a 0.2" hinge area on both sides of the spine and 0.8" bleed to the top and bottom. Labeling your files will also ensure they appear in the right place. If you cannot upload spine artwork, add a blank page by clicking the blue three-dot button under the spine thumbnail. Print work will only appear if you upload a spine design file. Otherwise, it will remain blank. Visit our File Setup Support Page for more information.

Lamination means applying a transparent plastic coating on top of prints to preserve, protect and enhance aesthetics. All laminations and finishes can affect the final appearance of printed colors, but each minimizes issues like marking, ink transferral, smudging, creasing, fading, wrinkling, abrasion and tearing. Please note we cannot laminate Uncoated and Recycled Paper stocks. Visit our Print Finishes Support Page for more information.