Artwork Specifications

Software Compatibility

Mac

THE PREFERRED FILE FORMAT IS ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR. We do however also accept QuarkXPress, Freehand and InDesign. Additional charges may apply for Pagemaker files - please note that Pagemaker may not fully facilitate our flexographic trapping requirements. PLEASE DO NOT SET TYPE OR LAY OUT YOUR LABEL IN PHOTOSHOP, rather set type and compose file in Illustrator. JPG and GIF files cannot be used to produce labels from.

PC

Macintosh is the preferred platform, however we can accept following PC file formats: Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, QuarkXPress and CorelDraw! (version 10 or lower only). Please remember to convert ALL text to curves/outlines (make sure that you have carefully proofread your label art before sending it to us!). Avoid using any “special fills” in Corel as they do not transfer into Illustrator. If you are using Quark or InDesign be sure to send us all fonts and placed images used in your document. Additional handling charges may apply to PC format artwork. If you are using any other software for your labels please consult your csr/sales representative to verify compatibility.

Disks

CD’s, DVD’s, 3.5” diskettes. Other disk types may be subject to a conversion cost. Always send a copy of your files, do not send us your original files. Please submit a printout (or matchprint) as well as black and white laser separations along with your disk. You may email smaller files (3Mb or less) to our art department directly: art@consolidatedlabel.com. Please follow all of our requirements closely, also remember to include your contact information and the name or the customer service representative assisting you.

Original Art, Scans, and Text

Please include placed graphics and photographs on your disk. Scan resolution should be a minimum of 250 dpi at final scale. When supplying paragraphs of text converted to curves or rasterized into a bitmap format, please include original text (.txt) files on your disk, as well as the fonts.

Fonts

Illustrator and CorelDraw!: Convert all text to outlines (curves). Quark and InDesign: Include all fonts used in your artwork on disk (or in your email). Where Postscript fonts have been used include both printer and screen fonts. We recommend Sanserif fonts for small type (4.5 to 7 pt.)

Image Area

Maintain 1/16” margin from dieline, unless it is an intentional bleed.

Color Specifications

Specify required PANTONE® numbers on spot color artwork.

Color Separations

Before sending your disk to us for output, please ensure that you print out ALL separations to your laser and check that each separation shows the intended art.

Trapping

It is not necessary to add traps to your artwork.

Lines and Rules

Minimum setting .35 pt. When printing negative (reverse) lines/rules .5 pt is the minimum recommended.

Bleed

Any art element that fill to the dieline MUST have a minimum 1/16” bleed beyond the dieline or cropmarks.

Nutrition facts

Please contact the Food and Drug Administration for necessary requirements needed for your particular application.

Barcodes and UPC's

Bar width reduction should be at .002” when created at 80%, and .003” when created at 100%. We do not guarantee scanability of barcodes smaller than 80% scale.

Dies

Be sure to contact one of our customer service representatives before starting your artwork for a listing of the available die shapes and sizes which are stocked in-house. Custom dies can also be created for you. Prices vary.

Color matching

Process color matches cannot be made to your laser or inkjet prints.

Type Specs

4.5 pt. minimum. Avoid fine reverse type. Avoid process builds on type less than 12 pt.

Questions and Additional Info

We would like to help. Please contact your customer service representative or visit the “Artwork Answers" section of our website.