Artwork Guidelines

Preparing your files for print

File Types:

Printrade only accepts .pdf, no larger than 150mb.
For layered files, when saving, choose “Adobe 7 (PDF 1.6) compatibility” when saving your pdf.
We do not work with alternative file types such as jpeg, tiff, .ai, .psd, etc.

Sizes:

The overall image size should be the same size as the product size. 
For contour cuts, the cut size has to be the same size as the product size. 

Colour space:

All PDFs must be submitted in the CMYK colour space. If submitted in RGB, your file will be converted automatically to CMYK.

Bleeds:

All bleeds are automatically generated.
Do NOT add any bleed, registration marks or crop marks.

Note: If your file has bleeds, you can use our design studio to crop in your artwork.

Spot Colours:

Spot colours should be names with the correct name.
E.g Pantone 123 c.

Fonts:

All fonts are to be converted to outlines. 

Images:

All images must be embedded at final size.
Minimum resolution at 100dpi.

Contour Cuts

All substrates thicker than 3mm, all inside cuts will require a 10mm radius.
Note that Printrade reserves the right to simplify complex cut paths to maximise the quality of the final product.

Use of Cut Paths:

We use the following naming conventions for naming layers for our paths:
KissCut – Mostly used for stickers, to only cut though the sticker, not the backing paper
ThruCut – Used for cutting shapes though the material (known as die cutting)
Score – Used for scoring Corrugated Plastic for folding.
 

Settings up for cut paths:

• Your file must include layers.
• Label your cut layer as “KissCut” (or any other cut path) and your CMYK layer as “CMYK”.
• Your KissCut paths must use a 1pt stroke.

Saving your file for files with cut paths:

• Save your file as a PDF.
• Choose “Adobe 7 (PDF 1.6) compatibility” when saving your PDF to preserve your layers.
• Under Options, make sure “Create Acrobat Layers from Top-Level Layers” Is checked.

White ink

Printrade allows for printing with white ink on selected products. With the option to “flood white” or “spot white”.

Spot White - This allows you to design with white ink with in your artwork.
Flood White  - Flood white will flood the print whith white ink behind the CMYK Print. (usually used for printing on clear substraits such as acrylics).

Settings up for White Ink:

• Your file must include layers.
• Label your white layer as “White Ink” and your CMYK layer as “CMYK”.
• Create a swatch names “Spot White”.
• Make sure all areas you want printed white are in the “White Ink” layer, coloured with the “Spot White” swatch.

Saving your file for CMYK + White

• Save your file as a PDF.
• Choose “Adobe 7 (PDF 1.6) compatibility” when saving your PDF to preserve your layers.
• Under Options, make sure “Create Acrobat Layers from Top-Level Layers” Is checked.