How do I create my submission?

First, download a Minted Challenge Kit for the challenge you’d like to submit to. If you click on the individual challenge page, you’ll see a link that reads “Download Challenge Kit“ on the upper right, just below the header. 

Each Challenge Kit contains:

1. A challenge description PDF with detailed instructions on creating your design and saving your resized submission image.
2. Templates to create your submissions in Adobe Illustrator. We require Adobe Illustrator in order to be compatible with our customization software on Minted. (If you’re using an older version of Illustrator, please reach out to [e-mail] with the Illustrator version you have and we will send you new templates to use that are compatible with your current Illustrator version.)
3. Textures, including foil, that you can use in your submissions for foil-pressed products.
4. A  link to a photo kit if you’re submitting to a challenge for products that incorporate customer photos.

Open the submission template of your choice to begin creating your design. You can create parts of your submission in a different program or by hand and import them into Illustrator if you wish. See our FAQ on Minted Templates and Layers for more information about file setup!

Once you’ve created your design, you’ll save a smaller version of your image to submit to the challenge. We do not need a final high-resolution file for your challenge submission. If your design is selected as a winner, we will request a hi-res, editable version of your file. Your challenge description PDF contains detailed instructions on preparing your submission image for each challenge, but all submission images must be:

• .JPG images
• Under 600kb
• Sized at exactly 1100 pixels on the longest side

To save a resized submission image from Adobe Illustrator:

• From the File Menu, select 'Export' and then ‘Save for Web (Legacy)'
• We recommend selecting the Preset ‘JPEG High.’ Quality 100 is usually fine, but it can be optimized as you see fit to get the best file size/quality ratio, keeping your design under 600kb.
• Just below the presets menu, click on the ‘Image Size’ tab. Make sure the ‘Constrain Proportions’ box is checked.
• Set the largest side of your artwork to 1100 pixels and click on the ‘Apply’ button, then save.
  

*Additional note on submission images: While you’ll be creating your design in CMYK color mode, we recommend saving your submission image in RGB. RGB is the best way to display images on site for submission and voting purposes. You'll be asked to send your final files in CMYK since it’s optimized for print.

If your design is selected as a winner, you will receive a detailed message from our Files team with instructions on preparing your final files. Please note that if your design wins, you’ll need to submit your final files in Adobe Illustrator format for stationery designs and as high-resolution JPGs for art prints. We cannot accept final files in other formats.

Ready to upload your submission? This article will walk you through how to submit your design: How do I upload my design to a Minted Challenge?