ARTWORK GUIDELINES:

Important information prior to starting a new printed project:

! If files cannot be supplied as per guidelines below, contact your sales rep to discuss the option of assistance with file set up, re-
creation, or designing a new label for you.

! A container along with all of its components (cap) must be sent prior to start of a project. This will allow pre-press inform you
about any potential issues with artwork set up.

! Generic dielines with the spec quoted are provided upon request at no additional charge.

! If you require a specific dieline that call out areas subject to distortion and the suggested print parameters indicated, inform
your sales rep immediately at the start of the project. We must have your container (+cap) along with schematics prior to doing
so. If you do not move forward with placing a PO there will be a $25.00 cancellation fee.

! Art files not received to spec may delay the print job and unexpected artwork charges may be incurred.

! All jobs are scheduled from time of proof approval as per your quoted lead-time.

Artwork File Type:

• All artwork should be supplied in vector format set up as an illustrator file with all supporting graphics and fonts included.
• If your file uses images that were created in Photoshop, please supply the layered file separately.
o All images should be set up in CMYK with a minimum 300dpi

Color:
• If your label is supposed to print as spot colors, please supply the file and build images accordingly.
• We use Pantone Solid Coated Swatches for spot color match. Swatches can be sent upon request.
• Document color mode and all placed images should be CMYK.
• If your artwork will have a foil plate, a clear or white area other than indicated on dieline, please create a separate layer so that
prepress can easily identify what is to be printed.

Screens/Gradients/Vignettes:
• Avoid using a screen of a color for large background areas. This will help avoid color inconsistencies that can occur due to any
movement or vibrations on press. Use a lighter, solid PMS color for large areas.
• Flexo only:
o Gradients should not be less than 1% screen of a color. This will prevent a harsh edge where the screen ends.
o Avoid stopping a vignette in the middle of an area. For example, a 3% minimum dot in the plate will probably print at
5-7% or more, resulting in a harsh or dirty edge. Try to carry the vignette all the way to the end of the label or hide the
end of the vignette with other graphic elements.
• Avoid making gradient blends of two or more spot colors of complimentary hues. The resulting mix of color will be muddy when
printed on press.

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4 Color Process Print:
• It may be necessary to separate out the Black text from the CMYK plate to ensure the Black printed in the process prints
cleanly, while maintaining a heavy, dark laydown in the text or any solid black areas; suggested for Flexo print.
• Avoid reversing type out of CMYK or other multiple colors builds. When it cannot be avoided, you will need to outline the type
with a black line (or other dark PMS spot color) at least .75 points / .01" thick to help the type remain "uncontaminated" by
normal registration variance.
• If a color used in a gradient when converted to CMYK is used less than 5%, try previewing the design with that color removed. If
it does not change the design in any meaningful way, it would be better to remove that color from the gradient completely.
(Especially with Flexo printing, there is dot gain that is particularly visible in the highlight end of gradients. You will have a much
cleaner image if you follow this step.)
• When using a blue in your design, always make sure to leave at least a 30% difference in your Cyan and Magenta values to
reduce the risk of printing a purple color.
• Copy knocking out of a 4-color process to white is not recommended especially when using smaller font sizes. We suggest
“ghosting” the background and overprinting copy in black or creating an outline around the text in a dark PMS color.

Type/Lines:
• DO NOT SET THE TYPE IN PHOTOSHOP.
• The fonts must be supplied unless converted to outlines in illustrator.
o Note: If outlined, prepress cannot make any minor changes to your artwork.
• Type size under 12pt may not be suitable for printing 4-color process and will require an additional color/plate.
o Minimum Positive Copy type size: 4pt
o Minimum Reversed Copy type size: 6pt
o Minimum line thickness is .35pt if positive print
o Minimum line thickness is .5pt if negative / reversing
• For best results text should be created from 1 solid PMS color not CMYK.

UPC Codes:
• For optimal results, barcodes should be printed between 80%-120%, in 100% black, on a white background.
• Bar codes should be built from a single printed color. Multiple colors are subject to potential registration movements and will
render the code not scannable.
• Background color should be white. Any other color will reduce the contrast between the code and the background, rendering the
code not scannable.
• "Quiet Zones (no print area) of 1/8" to the left and right of the bar code are necessary for proper scanning.
• For shrink sleeves only to avoid potential errors when scanning due to distortion, the UPC must be positioned vertically.

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