Art Specifications
The Basics
To produce the best quality product, all art must meet the specifications below. All art will be inspected by our art department, and we will contact you to let you know if there are any problems. If you need help with your art, or need art created, let us know and we will work with you to create or alter your design.
INK COLORS
6 Color Printing Coming Soon!
Please supply PMS color specifications for your job. Color matches are free of charge (subject to a 10% variance.) We can print up to total of 4 spot colors per bag (4/0, 3/1, or 2/2.) Orders of 3000 bags can specify only standard ink colors, orders of 5000 or more can specify any PMS color.
POSITIONING and PRINT AREA
Unless otherwise specified, all art will be centered on bags. A minimum margin of 1” on all edges works best for most bags. The actual print area varies for different bag styles. Information about calculating the print area for your bags is located on specific product pages, or by going here.
TRAPPING
Plastic film can shift up to 1/8" during printing. On multi-color jobs, white space should be left between colors if possible. If colors must overlap, trapping should extend 1/16”-1/8”. When setting trapping, be aware of the print order: lighter colors print first, followed by darker colors, and black will always print on top. If unsure of the color print order on your job, please contact us.
ART CHARGES
If your art doesn’t meet the needed requirements for printing, we will let you know so that the art can be adjusted. If you prefer, we will provide a quote for adjusting art. Art created or adjusted by our art department is billed at $50/hour.
Please check your design for needed text and for typos. Art charges will apply if additional text needs to be added to your art. If specific fonts will be needed for additional text, please provide the font (PC format) or font name, and a sample of the font. If we don’t have access to fonts, there may also be a charge for purchasing fonts (generally $20-$50 per font.)
All art costs must be approved prior to production.
SUBMITTING ART ELECTRONICALLY
Size all art to 100% of the final print. For multiple color designs, include a composite of the design as well as separations for each color. Separations should be sent as individual files with colors converted to black (see note on trapping above.) Label each file with the job name and color.
VECTOR FORMAT ONLY
- Acceptable file formats: EPS, PDF, AI (CS3 or eariler), and CDR (X3 or earlier)
- VECTOR FORMAT ONLY
- All text must be converted to outlines (curves).
- Halftones are printed at 35-lpi, and should be limited to larger areas for best results
- Files should be unsecured and editable. Text must be converted to outlines.
UNACCEPTABLE FILE FORMATS
- TIFF, JPG, GIF, BMP, PSD or PNG image files must be converted prior to printing.
- Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, or other word processing documents must be adjusted prior to printing. Because art made in these programs can shift from computer to computer, a printed copy of the art is required.
- InDesign or QuarkXPress files can not be used.
- Art charges apply if art needs to be converted
FONT MATCHING
Fonts that are not converted to outlines may not display or print correctly. If unable to convert fonts, provide the font files (PC format) or the font names. Fonts will be matched as closely as possible, but exact matches cannot be guaranteed. Font matching will incur additional art charges. If fonts can not be identified, or if fonts need to be purchased in order to complete your art, additional charges (including the cost of any fonts purchased) will apply.
PRINTED ART
If unable to send art electronically, printed art may be acceptable, but additional art charges will apply. Send original laser print, at 100% size, printed in black (one print per separation) at a minimum of 300dpi. All halftones should be printed with a 35-lpi screen. For multiple color jobs, provide a color composite, as well as each color separation printed in solid black. (see note on trapping above)