Graphic Guidelines

What are the requirements and tips for our graphic services?
Digital Graphics Checklist

DO NOT ROTATE STRUCTURAL DRAWING

The CAD Dieline we send you to build your art has been designed to flow through our system. It is very important that this template not be altered or rotated. The printed art is cut out based on the original template orientation. Rotating the dieline in your artwork may yield unintended results.

 

FILE CONTAINS DIE LAYER

In order to ensure your custom packaging cuts correctly, it is very important that the structural dieline we send you is included as part of the print file. The structural drawing will contain spot colors for the cut and crease lines in the Swatch menu. These colors are used to tell the cutting and creasing machines how to convert your

packaging correctly.

 

IMPORTANT: Do not change the cut file to CMYK colors because they will print on your box or label!

 

COLOR SETTINGS

All artwork should be converted to CMYK. Please convert any RGB colors and images to avoid unexpected color shifting. All Pantone (PMS) colors should be converted to CMYK. Pantone and spot colors are converted to CMYK in digital printing.

 

BLACK INK SATURATION

Too much ink in any one area can lead to printing and drying issues, which affect everything from how quickly your project can be printed, to possible issues in the cutting and finishing processes. Too much ink can lead to other problems like ink smearing and smudging.

 

For instance, black elements built using 100% Black, 100% Cyan, 100% Magenta and 100% Yellow have ink coverage of 400% which may not cure properly and result in quality and production issues. Using a color build of 100% Black, 30% Cyan, 30% Magenta and 30% Yellow, you end up with a Rick Black without printing issues.

 

RICH BLACK

If your art includes black, we recommend it’s built as a rich black with 50% cyan (C), 47% magenta (M), 45% yellow(Y) and 100% black (K). For best results, include a 0.5pt stroke of 100% black (K) to keep edges sharp and clean.

 

FILE FORMAT

It is best to use a vector-based software application such as Adobe Illustrator for building art files, and saving/exporting your native file in pdf. or ai. formats before sending to DeLine Box &

Display.

TYPE FONTS & TEXT SIZE

We recommend using font size of 10 point and larger in your art, also use a heavier weight font for text that is reversed-out. Fonts below 10 point may not print legibly, especially if a font is thin (or features of a font are thin, like serifs or cross bars). When reversing type, use one weight heavier than the weight you intended to use. Avoid specifying small trademark and register mark symbols to print in reverse, as they may fill in when printed.

 

CONVERT ALL TEXT TO OUTLINES

All type should be outlined in your final artwork file. In order to ensure your packaging art prints correctly, please convert all fonts to outlines.

 

PLACED IMAGES

All images should be embedded into your artwork file. Include only the page layout documents and the supporting files required for your project. Place graphics at 100%. Any graphics placed less than 100% takes longer to output and may require additional prepress time. Placed images and artwork should be in the CMYK color space.

 

BLEED

Final artwork files must maintain a minimum bleed of 0.25” (1⁄4th-inch) on all edges and into glue flap.

 

SAFE AREA

Margins, rule outlines, or copy that does not bleed needs to be at least 0.25” (1⁄4th-inch) away from dieline edges and scores lines.

 

QR CODES & UPC/BARCODES

UPC-A type barcodes and QR codes need to be at least 150% size (approx. 2.2” wide). In order to scan properly, the height of the bars should be at least 0.5” (1⁄2-inch) tall.

 

IMAGE RESOLUTION

Check image resolution in order to provide the best quality print. For best results, all artwork and image resolution should be no less than 300 dpi. If images are at a lower resolution this can result in a loss of sharpness and become “pixelated. Straight lines may have a “staircase” effect.

Flexo Graphics Checklist

FILE FORMATS

DeLine can handle any file format available today, Macintosh is the preferred OS but we can also work with PC based files, for the preferred file types please see the list below.

  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Acrobat

Please provide a PDF of the final art to be used as a comparison to the final production.

 

FONTS

Make sure to include all fonts when submitting art files. All text needs to be set in the Vector files, please do not place text in photos or CT’s. Minimum positive type size 9pt / Minimum reverse type = 11pt Bold Face

 

SUPPORT FILES

Make sure to include all linked, fonts and embedded files.

 

DIE LINES

Final layout should be done on an EPS or ARD cad file supplied by Deline. Make sure to be working with the print view.

 

ART ELEMENTS

If using CT’s ensure size is large enough to account for bleeds of 1/4″.  Minimum line weight positive & reverse 1.5pt

 

BARCODES

Make sure to supply information on the type of code required UPC, ITF, etc. and please supply the full code # including the start digit. Make UPCs at least 1.59” x 2.395” tall and ITFs at least 1.63”x 6.06”

 

COLOR GUIDELINES

Files:

  • For best results leave CT’s as RGB we will convert them to spot colors or indicated PMS target color.
  • We will be printing @ less than 65LPI, so make sure to use halftones screen patterns at 55LPI to 65LPI depending on print content and the press being used.
  • When possible, please supply layered PhotoShop .psd files for CT’s.
  • Do not add trap files, our separator will be responsible for this.

 

Number of colors:

  • Maximum number of colors will be 3 for the Göpfert and 4 for the Emba.
  • Please specify what colors you have used. Try to use PMS numbers when possible.
  • Make sure to keep your pallet limited to your intended colors.

Chase / Target:

  • If you would like the graphics to match previously printed images please supply a sample “Target”
  • If no chase is supplied we will run a calibrated proof to international SWOP standards and this will become the chase for color.

 

TIPS FOR DESIGNERS

ART

  • Build vignettes using gradations, not blends.
  • Supply a clean color palette which reflects only those colors printing, otherwise the nature of the color can be left for interpretation, especially when printing with modified process.
  • Supply s/a proof off the final design art to clearly show intent of design if possible.
  • Keep all text as vector art and keep from embedding copy into Photoshop images if possible.
  • Although Adobe Illustrator is the preferred software application to build design files, there are a few special effects functions under the filters in Illustrator which are meant for Web-based applications as opposed to postscript rip-based workflows. Although there is a workaround for these filters, it takes extra time. If you choose to use these functions please identify the special effect and supply an accurate target at size as to ensure it is properly interpreted and reproduced as close to its original design intent.

COLOR

  • Preferred: raw RGB format has largest color gamut.
  • If conversion to CYMK format is applied, we suggest that a SWOP coated conversion table is used so enough detail and shape remains in image for DeLine to separate for indicated PMS targets.
  • Try to keep special effects on copy done within illustrator. Photoshop special effects are rasterized and could cause the print to have pixelization.

FILE SHARING

  • The Internet has made it extremely easy for everyone to You may also upload files to our website at share files. Files can be uploaded to a cloud-based server. Then a link can either be shared or emailed to DeLine Box for downloading. Here are a few websites that offer file-sharing services.
  • – Dropbox
    – Google Drive
    – WeTransfer
    – MediaFire
    – Hightail
    – Box
  • If conversion to CYMK format is applied, we suggest that a SWOP coated conversion table is used so enough detail and shape remains in image for DeLine to separate for indicated PMS targets.

You may also upload files to our website at https://delinebox.wpengine.com/artwork-upload

START YOUR PROJECT

START A PROJECT