How to create print-ready files for commercial label printing
Barcode Factory has an in-house graphics department that ensures your labels, tags, signs, forms or even brochures are created and prepared for the exact printing process to best meet your needs. Multiple printing processes all require different file preparation. We help you choose the correct label material being printed on, amount of color inks, quantity of labels, and final application to provide you with the best quality label or tag, at the best price.
What kind of label do you need?
Simple shipping or product labels with barcodes are typically created using your own in-house software like BarTender or NiceLabel software programs. When your needs expand to sequential numbered labels, or variable printed labels with or without pre-printing, we can assist with file creation.
Detailed product, or prime, labels may have intricate design in full color. We can assist in creating or assisting in your art files, and provide proofs in advance. We insure scan-ability of barcodes like QR codes, UPC codes or vanity barcodes. We make sure the design is not only eye catching, but functional.
Print-Ready Artwork
The level of knowledge among designers can vary greatly, but graphic fundamentals are usually followed and the supplied artwork can be easily worked with. If you don’t have a designer, we will quote your project and guarantee you’re thrilled with the results. Most companies don’t use the programs required to create artwork proper for printing.
Which programs are used?
Please note: MS Word, Excel, Power Point, MS Paint are NOT art production programs, and should not be used. The operating system no longer matters, be it MacOS or PC based, but the programs do matter greatly. Programs that create a Vector-Based output, such as Adobe Illustrator are the first choice for creating any printable artwork. Image or pixel based programs, such as Adobe Photoshop can also be used if the label is going to be 4-color process (full-color).
Acceptable programs for creating print-ready files:
We offer design and production services. Contact us for an estimate on everything from simple label art to vanity barcodes.
Adobe Illustrator, all versions, saved as native .AI, or .EPS file, or saved specifically as a PDF in these versions: Press Quality, PDF/X1a, or High Quality only, with Printers Crop Marks and Bleeds. (Adobe InDesign is a page layout program that will also work well for creating artwork).
Adobe Photoshop files created at 100% of the art, with .125” bleeds, and a minimum of resolution 300 dpi, in CMYK mode. The same conversion settings in Step 1. Will be required to save as a PDF.
Conversion of some other files is possible including Coral Draw or .DXF files as they are vector-based programs, but will need additional work.
Common artwork mistakes
Are all PDF’s the same? Absolutely not. A PDF is an Adobe product that universally converts all files into a Portable Document File. Their goal is simple readability by every computer and they are the best. However, since nearly all programs can “convert” to PDF that does not make them a print-ready file. All MS Word programs will not convert images or text correctly into a “PDF for Print”.
Best Practices
Below are samples of 4-color Process and Multiple Spot PMS colors set correctly for the printing process. Simple rules to always follow are:
Always make the artwork feel size the exact cut-size of the label, i.e 4” wide x 6” tall, etc. Note: the bottom of the label as it oriented on the roll or fanfold as it comes out of the thermal printer.
If any imagery or color will print beyond the edge of the label, include “bleed settings” in the original document setup.
Document must always be made in CMYK- Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, not RGB.
PMS colors chosen on the art should be defined as “Solid PMS + Process”. These settings are defined for either Coated or Uncoated. Choose the color swatch according to your specific label material. Such as, Synthetic and gloss labels are Coated, matte finishes are considered Uncoated. i.e. PMS234U and or PMS234C.
All artwork files should have the fonts “Outlined”. This tune the fonts into vector lines and removes the necessity to supply us your original fonts. Command is typically: Select All > Type > Outline Fonts > Save as original of as a PDF for Print.