TURTLE BOXES Guidelines to create a perfect Artwork
There are several things you need to bear in mind when creating artwork. So we've put together some tips that will help you produce the perfect artwork file. We explain the aspects of colour, size, format, line thickness, margins and the right resolution for your image files. Now there's nothing stopping you from producing perfect artwork files!
Document Colours
- Prepare your files using CMYK as the colour mode, not RGB.
- When saving your files, select ISO coated V2 colour profiles:
- Avoid using 4c for black text; instead, set the font colour to 100% K/ Black.
- Instructions for special colours: To avoid mottled or patchy colours, areas with another process colour (CMYK) overlaying a special colour should be created using knockout rather than overprinting. Likewise, special colours over a CMYK colour should be knocked out.
- If you order a greyscale item, the file needs to be created in greyscale.
- We recommend creating grey areas in shades of black to ensure a perfect print result.
Files in Original Size
- Create your files in their final trim size.
- If possible your files will be automatically scaled to fit the order format (without bleed). Please note that scaling a smaller format to a larger one can lead to a decrease in resolution quality.
The right trim allowances/bleed
- Always add trim allowance to the size ordered
- Standard packaging product trim allowance: 3 mm
- Envelopes: 1 mm
- Do not use borders to frame the whole front side or any side.. They can be partially cut, due to the mechanical cutting tolerance and can effect the appearance of the final product.
Safety Margins
- Keep all contents at least 3 mm away from the edge of the finished size.
- Make sure colours, background pictures and layouts extend into the bleed area so as to avoid leaving white lines as a result of cutting tolerances.
- For artwork without a trim allowance or after scaling, we reserve the right to create a trim using a mirror. The missing millimetres are mirrored from the inner edge to the outside.
Images and Graphics Resolution
- Pictures, images, and graphics: 250 dpi
- Greyscales and colour images: 250 dpi
- Line artwork (e.g. texts in a small font size and drawings): 1.200 dpi
Line Weights
- Lines should be at least 0.125 pt.
- Do not use borders to frame the whole page. They can be partially cut, due to the mechanical cutting tolerance and can effect the appearance of the final product.
File Formats
- Always save your files in print-ready, uneditable formats, preferably PDF (PDF/X-4)
- Avoid using multiple layers (Optional Content) in your PDF files. Retain native transparencies to avoid colour space conversion.
Embedded Fonts or Paths
- Convert fonts to paths or embed them to avoid typeface discrepancies. Use fonts that don't have any licence restrictions and make sure the font coding in the PDF file is correct.
- Make sure there is sufficient contrast between background and font colours.