Graphic to Print - Some Basic Guidelines

Best Practices: Image Preparation for Print
To ensure the highest quality and accuracy for your print projects, particularly for UV printing processes, here are some technical guidelines for preparing your artwork.

1. File Formats & Compatibility
We recommend providing your designs in their native or high-fidelity formats:

• Adobe Photoshop (PSD): Best for photographic or raster-heavy content.

• Adobe Illustrator (AI): Preferred for logos, text, and vector-based illustrations.

• Uncompressed PDF: High-quality PDF exports. Ensure that no downsampling or compression is applied during the export process to preserve maximum detail.

2. Color & Resolution Standards

• Color Mode: All files should be set to CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) to guarantee color fidelity.

• Resolution: Raster images should have a minimum resolution of 300 DPI (dots per inch).

• Scaling: Files should be provided at the actual print size (100%) or larger. Avoid upscaling small images, as this leads to pixelation.

3. Typography & Vector Handling
To avoid errors during file opening or printing:

• Fonts: Always embed all fonts within the file or convert text to outlines/curves. This ensures that the typography remains intact even if the font is not installed on the production system.

4. Special Inks & Technical Layers (Spot Colors)
If your project requires special finishes, use a standard naming convention for your spot color channels to ensure they are recognized by your RIP software:

• WhiteUnderbase: Use this exact name for the white ink layer (essential for dark or transparent substrates).

• Varnish: Use this name for spot UV, gloss, or matte finishes.

• Braille: Use this name for tactile or high-build texturized content.

5. Bleeds & Margins

• UV Printing Precision: Due to the high precision of our UV printing technology, bleeds and safety margins are generally not required unless specified for a particular non-rigid material.