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Artwork Guidelines

Innovative Design And Prepress Department

Custom Label’s prepress department is completely in-house. We utilize the latest Adobe Creative Suite applications as well as state of the art PDF editing and workflow tools in order to ensure the quality and accuracy of our printed work.

Custom Label has streamlined our prepress department increasing our speed to press.

  • Online file upload options.
  • Digital and on-line proofing.
  • Hard copy proofs overnighted to you per your request.

If you are still working on your label design give us a call. Custom Label offers full-service design through a diverse group of graphic designers.

Print Preparation

We are current with all Adobe desktop publishing and PDF editing tools. We will provide a medium resolution PDF Proof indicating die size, corner radius, color selection and any special attributes of your label prior to printing.

Files For Flexographic Printing

Prepare all files for flexography as Hires PDF or native .AI in CMYK with fonts and links embedded.

Files For Digital Printing

  1. Prepare all files for Digital as a High-Resolution PDF or native .AI file.
  2. Provide individual files for each item to be printed, refrain from using multiple page documents.
  3. Flies should be saved in CMYK Color space, not RGB. RGB may result in undesirable color shifts in conversion to CMYK.

PDF File Tips

  1. Clearly define all colors CMYK and SPOT and delete any unused colors from the Palette.  
  2. Please do not work or save files in RGB Color Mode.
  3. All art must include accurately sized crop marks or a die line showing the position of the print to trim.
  4. Provide a MINIMUM of 1/16 inch or 1.5mm trim/ bleed.
  5. Keep all important graphic elements at least 1/16 inch inside the trim/die line.
  6. If using system fonts be to sure convert all fonts to outlines.
  7. Embed all linked images and fonts, if fonts cannot be embedded, convert to outlines or provide them with the native art files.

  8. Use of Patterned Paints (fill patterns), excessive use of Gradient Mesh, Transparency and other effects and techniques that make a file more complicated, can result in errors. Converting patterns to outlines (expanding), flattening and even rasterizing is recommended.

  9. Please do not overprint White/Paper.

  10. Review file using Separation Preview and Overprints before submitting.

  11. When saving PDF, please use Illustrator Default setting.

Using Linked Images

  1. Convert all files to CMYK at a minimum resolution of 300 pixels per inch or 120 pixels per Centimeter at 100% usage size.
  2. Embed Linked files or include in a folder with the native art file.

Other Files For Print

  1. Provide Native art files.
  2. Include All Linked Images and Fonts.
  3. Convert any System Fonts to outlines.
  4. Clearly define all colors CMYK and SPOT and delete any unused colors from the Palette.
  5. Please do not work or save files in RGB Color Mode.
  6. Insure that trim and bleeds are clearly defined and conform to established standards.

In the event that preflight determines non conforming files, we can prepare them for print according to our guidelines at an additional fee or provide you with the information to correct the files.

Custom Label

7800 Patterson Pass Road
Livermore, CA 94550

Phone: 510-876-0000

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