Participate | Specifications | Templates

Coupon Specifications

Please follow these instructions carefully. Coupons that are not created to these specifications cannot be sent to press. I'll let you know if there are problems with your file, but please get your coupons in early so you have time to fix issues should there be any.

Please set your coupons to expire on 12/31/09.
Your coupon should be 4.25" wide by 2.2" tall, with a .125" border for bleed. So the final size of your coupon should be 4.5" wide by 2.45" tall (1350x735 pixels). Please create your coupon at 300dpi resolution in CMYK color mode (if you don’t have the option of CMYK, it’s ok, use RGB, though you can expect your colors to shift slightly when printed). For templates, please go here.
Be sure to keep anything important inside .25” of the edge (safe zone). Anything outside of the safe zone might be cut off. Do, however, make backgrounds go all the way to the edge of the coupon. If you use the pdf template, make sure to erase all of the guide lines when you're finished.
Please do not put a border on your coupon. The cutting process is never exact - so borders often get cut off in the process and will most likely be uneven. I will be adding dotted lines to separate the coupons, so you need not add your own border.
Save your coupon as either a .psd, .pdf, .tiff, or a highest-quality .jpg. If you send it as a .psd or .pdf, be sure to flatten the file to avoid any font-related issues.
Coupons should be created using a graphics editing program (ie: photoshop). Note that Word/PowerPoint/Publisher do not output suitable press quality files. Web resolution images or text are rarely large enough or high enough quality to print.
You MUST have a coupon/discount. That is why these are called coupons! Files that do not contain any sort of coupon will not be accepted. If you have an etsy shop or paypal cart that does not allow coupon codes, consider offering a free gift with purchase.
Coupon files are DUE February 25th! Please be sure to have your coupon to me by this date.

What should your coupon be?

In the past, participants have offered coupons good for a percentage off, a dollar amount off, free shipping, or a free gift with order. What you decide to offer is completely up to you - but keep in mind that the better the discount, the more it will entice potential customers to shop.

If you are using a PayPal or other shopping cart that does not allow you to have discount codes, or have an Etsy store, the free gift may be your best option. In the past people have also specified that the discount amount will be refunded after purchase or have customers wait to receive a revised invoice.

What coupons are most popular? Generally, the bigger the discount, the better the results. :) What you offer is up to you, but keep this in mind.

Need help designing your coupon?

If you would like me to design your coupon for you, I’d be happy to do so for a small fee of $35. Please email me at hello@totallyindiecoupons.com if you are interested.