Artwork Guidelines

This guidance should be used by all customers and where possible, have your graphic designer read this before providing new artwork.

Artwork Guidelines: Process

So this is the process we go through to make your labels:

• We receive your artwork
• This should be one file per design. You should NOT provide multiple designs on one page nor multiple pages in one file. STRICTLY One file per design.
• We must process your artwork into production files
• We seek your approval to confirm the artwork is correct by sending you a Design Confirmation
• Once approved, we will print the labels
• We won’t print anything until you agree to it.
• Once you have agreed to a document, we no longer accept responsibility for any errors or omissions.

Artwork Guidelines: File Sizes:

• Files only need enough data to print a file – additional data can create very large files that add nothing to the final product.
• Composite files that include pixel/raster images need to have those images processed correctly to minimise file size.
• Images should be set to 300dpi (or 360dpi) and CMYK mode.
• Images should be scaled outside of the label file and saved as a unique file (ideally at the actual size they will be printed), then imported into the final file.
• Clipping large images in the final file is not recommended as this adds needless data to the file.

Artwork Guidelines: File Settings:

• Resolution should be set to 300dpi – a standard PDF will be fine
• All vector graphics formats use mathematics to plot images so we can scale these for you without the loss of image integrity
• Image processing programs like Photoshop work on pixels (rasterised) and resolution can be lost with re-sizing
• Images within vector graphics files (or images provided) should be built at 300dpi (or 360dpi if possible).
• Image modes should be set to CMYK not RGB. We print with Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and BlacK (CMYK). Graphics will often be presented in RGB (Red, Green, Blue) mode.
• If you provide files in RGB we will convert them to CMYK and colour integrity may be lost.

Artwork Guidelines: Fonts:

• Fonts in artwork pose the most frequent problem we face with customer artwork.
• They form an integral part of your brand and design so are very important for your brand.
• Many fonts in a Brand’s artwork are bespoke or rare.
• We carry about 1500 fonts in our font library but don’t expect us to have yours unless it came with Microsoft Windows.
• If any font in your artwork is unusual or purchased, we will probably not have it.
• We will not buy fonts for you unless you pay for them in full in advance.
• You can provide a copy of your font or you can outline the text in your artwork.
• If you provide a copy of your font, we can edit text in your artwork.
• If you outline text in your artwork, we will not be able to edit it.

Artwork Guidelines: Rich Black:

Rich black uses a combination of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black inks to create a deeper black. It is useful in flexographic printing but unnecessary for digital printing.

• For digital work, we do not recommend using rich black i.e. Black with Cyan, Magenta and Yellow inks. Rich blacks tend to make text blurred.
• The digital press reproduces fantastic quality black in without the need for rich black enhancement

Artwork Guidelines: Canvases and Artboards:

• We prefer print ready (sometimes called “camera ready”) artwork.
• Your artwork should not need any clipping marks or other printer’s marks as we will only have to remove these which costs us time and money. They look nice but please omit these.
• Your file should only contain the information required to print.
• Additional information can be supplied in an additional file.
• Artwork should be designed to label size +3mm on a canvas (in Photoshop) or artboard (in Illustrator)
• e.g. if your label is 50mm x 70mm, we would prefer artwork on an artboard of canvas of 53mm x 73mm
• If you have a simple die line (e.g. rectangle, oval, circle etc.) You do not need to include that.
• If you have a complex die line, please provide that on its own in a separate file with identical size and position settings as the artwork*.
• If you have multiple designs, we prefer these to be in individual files rather than multiple pages in one file.

*If you wish to prepare the Die Line Correctly, you can set it to Spot Colour, Cyan, 0.25pt stroke and Overprint Stroke

Incorporation of Terms and Conditions:

There is a statement on the Design Confirmation we will send you. This statement has some important points included to leave you in no doubt that you are taking responsibility for what we print. The statement is as follows:

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: All orders subject to our Terms & Conditions of Sale. Visit www.pid-labelling.co.uk/legal/.
By agreeing to this design confirmation you are agreeing to the incorporation of our terms and conditions in the transaction to buy labels.
This proof is only a visual guide, not for colour match, and does not represent ink on final substrate. This proof is supplied prior to the final job for your approval. Check all copy, layout, colour separation, dimensions, barcodes and specification in detail. We do not accept responsibility for errors identified after approval. If this item is approved and printed you will have to pay for the order irrespective of any errors found after print.

What this means is if you find errors in the work after we agreed to print it and we printed it, that constitutes a completed order. We are not responsible for any errors subsequently found in the specification. This is because it is unreasonable for us to print work with errors found after the fact and not be expected to be paid for this work. If there are errors in the artwork as a result of an act on our part (e.g. omission of an element), then we accept responsibility for the error and will reprint the work correctly at no cost to you.

There is a specific statement about colour matching. If you wish to have a colour matched product, we will need to work with Pantone colours or a sample swatch. Pantone colours are provided at no extra cost for all flexographic work. Digital work cannot guarantee Pantone or colour swatch match due to the technical limitations of the printing process. For digital Pantone match, you should discuss your needs with your sales representative. Digital colour matching is a chargeable service as a result of the time it takes to adjust artwork to achieve the colour fidelity based on the printer settings at the time of print.