Our state-of-the-art equipment and customer satisfaction make us your best choice for high-quality labels.

Graphic Design

Below, you will find some useful information to help you stay current with the ever-changing landscape of graphic design programs and what we require if you are sending art to us.

Files we accept in order of preference:

  • Freehand (11.0 “Freehand MX” or less)
  • Adobe Illustrator (11.0 “CS” or less)
  • QuarkXPress (6.0 or less)
  • Adobe InDesign (3.0 “CS” or less)
  • Adobe Photoshop (8.0 “CS” or less)
  • CorelDRAW (8.0 or less, PC only)
  • PDF* See note below
  • We also accept EPS, TIFF, JPEG, BMP, or DCS files.**See note below

PDF files are acceptable, but we prefer the original files. We will not be able to work with some PDF files. Sending a PDF may delay the processing of the artwork. *Bitmap images, including support files, must be a minimum of 600ppi (pixels per inch) for line art and type, or 300ppi for 4-color process. (Web graphics are usually unacceptable)

Please indicate:

  • The TYPE of file being sent
  • The finished size and shape of your label
  • The colors used in the file (include PANTONE numbers)

Most Important:

  • ALL FONTS AND SUPPORT FILES use in your art MUST be provided for proper output
  • Sending Fonts is preferred to type that is converted to paths/outlines.

Files we basically cannot use at all:

  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • WordPerfect
  • Corel PrintHouse
  • CAD drawings as artwork.

Preflight Preparation

The more you can do in this area, the quicker it will be to have your labels produced.

Preflight preparation is the process of collecting, updating and sending files or applications to a printer for production. Preflight preparation uncovers missing data or fonts, misplaced illustrations, trapping errors, incorrect sizing and other important details. The first thing to include is the primary document, whether in PageMaker, QuarkXPress or Photoshop. Check above to ensure we have the current version of the software you're using. If there are compatibility problems, you may need to submit a PostScript file or PDF for output.

Be sure to include all fonts with the documents you submit. We may not have a specified font, so include the screen and printer fonts, in addition to bold, italic and other versions. Include additional font dingbats or end-marks as well, if required. Most printers use Type 1 fonts or TrueType fonts. Type 1 and TrueType fonts use different kerning and spacing methods. Using the wrong version can damage the text flow and layout.

Include hardcopies of the illustrations, images and photographs with the application file if you want to provide your final color match. Label each graphic and make sure all files are uncompressed. GIF images have low resolution and RGB format is not used in color printing. Avoid using GIF, JPG, WMF, BMP and PICT formats in files unless they meet the requirements above.

CMYK: a four-color process using a percentage value of the colors cyan, magenta, yellow and black.

RGB: a three-color process using values of the additive colors red, green and blue, producing visible light.

SPOT: a one-color process (or multiple spot colors) using percentages of full color and the tinting, screening or shading of additive colors.

Do a color separation to verify all text and images separate correctly and there are no empty text blocks and such >>> before sending your file.

Back to Top