Art Submission Guidelines

spot_varnishGuidelines for Customer Supplied Art

Here you will find technical requirements and design suggestions that will help you design and send artwork that is suitable for printing on labels and tags.

 

Software Compatibility

  • Adobe Illustrator . . . . .Version CC or earlier
  • Adobe Photoshop . . . .Version CC or earlier
  • Adobe InDesign . . . . . .Version CC or earlier
  • Quark Xpress . . . . . .Version 10.7.5 or earlier

If you use another vector based program, send your art in pdf format. Make sure to embed images, graphics and include font files or convert fonts to outlines. This will save time when opening files and eliminate font errors.

If you DO NOT SEE your file type listed, contact the ALG Customer Service. We might be able to accept formats other than those listed.

We CAN NOT accept art in Excel or Word documents.

You may send files to us in the following ways:

  • CD, DVD or USB Flash Drive
  • Files may be e-mailed to our art department: art@alglabel.com
  • Files may be uploaded to our website: www. alglabel.com

    To aid in the efficiency of processing your orders for faster turn around, please consider the following when naming art:

    If the art is a 2” x 3” label for “Joe’s Market...” with a P.O. Number 1234,

    Name the art file: 1234joesmarket.eps

    Or if you don’t have a P.O. # - Joesmarket2x3label.eps

    DO NOT name the art file: art for label, large label, jm label, 2x3 label or sticker.

Please do not use spaces or symbols (including .) in your file names. Our server will kick back any file that has more that one . in the name. We will NOT get your art and that could result in a delay getting your order printed.

  • If there is more than one file per order, such as a quark file with placed images, call all the files similar names:
    1234joesmarket.qxd 1234joesmarket.eps 1234joesmarket.tif
  • DO NOT name them:
    1234joe’s Market.qxd scan.tif basket of fruit.eps
  • This will increase the speed of turn around for art proofs and cut back on the requests from us for art to be re-emailed.
  • We receive over 600 pieces of art per month and having more detailed names for art will be a big help to us and it will help us serve you better. If you email your art and your email address does not contain your company name, please make sure you put your company name in the body of the email or in your signature.

Always remember to include the following with every project:

  • Accurate printouts indicating color separations.
  • Original artwork for scanning if you are using FPO (For Position Only) art.
  • CD containing:
  • All layout files
  • All fonts used (Screen & Printer)
  • All linked image files
  • Original application files for EPS files
  • High-Res images (300 DPI or better)
  • If screens are used indicate LPI if you have a preference.

 

IMAGES

The images used in your art should be at least 300 dpi. They will be printed in CMYK and should be sent in CMYK. There may be a delay in proofing if we have to convert from RGB or INDEX to CMYK.

VIGNETTES

Vignettes have become very popular with today’s graphics designers. When preparing a vignette that will be printed on a flexographic press you must take into consideration the following: Do not make your vignette run from 0% to 100% but rather from 5% to 95%. The reason for this is that the photo polymer plates used in flexo printing can only hold a 3% or greater dot, and any screen higher then 95% is likely to turn into a solid. If you design with these constraints in mind, your blends will look smoother and print better.

TRAPPING

Trapping is not needed in 4-color process work. The only real trapping consideration when doing 4-color process work is that any black text should be set to overprint and not knockout. Our state of the art equipment will adjust the trap for all art supplied in spot colors.

HARD COPIES

We use your hard copy or PDF proof as a reference to verify size, bleed, fonts and to check for missing type and page elements. We can not stress enough the importance of producing precise hard copy laser prints or PDFs. We use these extensively for internal proofing. Make sure to include a hard copy or PDF proof that...

  • Represents the latest revision of the project
  • Is 100% of the final size required
  • Is printed with the file name
  • Has spot colors designated
  • Has Position Only images designated “FPO
  • Includes a dieline with the correct corner radius

 

SIZE & LAYOUT

  • Final label or tag size, and bleed requirements should be communicated clearly.
  • One of the most common problems that we encounter is bleed. Bleed is an extra amount of printed images (borders, lines, or graphics) that runs past the trim edge of the label. All elements that run all the way to the trimline (diecut) must be extended 1/8th of an inch past the line as bleed, and all bleed borders must be at least 4 pts. (about 1/16’) thick.
  • Another area of potential delays is that art has not been built to the exact final reproduction size. Also make sure to use the correct corner radius.
  • Keep all print that does not bleed off at least 1/16th of an inch from the trim edge (dieline).
  • All documents should be created on a page size that is the size of your finished label. (I.E. if you have a 2” x 4” label place it on a 2” x 4” page not on an 8 1/2” x 11” page.
  • On string tags please show hole placement at least 1/8” from the edge of the tag Our hole size is 5/32” in diameter. All print should be kept 1/16” from the hole.

 

FONTS

For successful production of your job, we must have fonts of the same version, name and manufacturer that were used in your document. It is trade practice and our policy to use only fonts that have been supplied by our customer. It is essential that you send us both the screen and printer fonts for all typefaces used, including those embedded in EPS files. We cannot proceed with your project if even ONE font is missing. Always double check your file for missing fonts. To avoid font issues, change fonts to outlines when ever possible.

MISC.

* As with fonts, we cannot proceed if any linked images have not been included.

* If you use Position Only files and supply us the original art we will scan the art and place it for you as indicate. Your Customer Service Rep will contact you with the art time and charges for this on a case by case basis.

* Please double check if the job is to be printed in spot colors or 4 color process and build it accordingly.

* If you have any questions please talk to your Customer Service Rep.

Helpful Hints

For best results, we recommend using standard type fonts.

Standard type fonts are more pronounced, resulting in better printing and better readability.

Standard Font (Helvetica)

Stand Font (Arial)

Standard Font (Times)

To ensure a quality product, please keep the minimum font size to 8 points for standard fonts and 14 points for Script fonts. Generally, the larger the type, the more clear the printing will be.

8 point Standard Font 14 point Script Font

If the label is smaller than 2 inches, then send us the art at 200%.

For best results, send a digital file.

If artwork does not scan well or needs to be adjusted for printing, there will be art charges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reverse Printing Must Have Bold/Standard Type

Fine Line Art and Detailed Art work WILL fill in.

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Contact

American Label Group, Inc.
705 Fentress Blvd
Daytona Beach, FL 32114. email@alglabel.com
(800) 504-8247