Guidelines for Preparing Your Files
Stickers may not entail as much attention, as some people may assert, over other print products that are more demanding and complex. Yet, stickers require the same amount of concentration or consideration for it is processed in the same manner.
Here then are some areas where you would like to prepare and check your sticker files for before sending them to a professional sticker printing company:
1. Check to see if your design is wholly done in CMYK mode. You do not want to risk including or using an RGB image or any other detail in your sticker design. RGB’s colors cannot be captured by your printer since the presses are engineered to print materials in CMYK.
Printers do not entertain files that are in RGB mode. And even if you persist, your RGB file’s colors may significantly change. Color accuracy cannot be guaranteed and you may not have the file or design you originally had in mind.
2. Include image files and fonts. Make sure the images are in CMYK as well. As for the fonts, you need to include them so your printer can see your original design without missing fonts or incorrect font styles.
Your printer does not house all possible font styles imaginable, so do not assume that your printer know what your fonts are, unless these are highly common like Arial or Times New Roman.
3. 300 dpi Resolution. Create clear and sharp stickers with images set at a resolution of 300 dpi or dots per inch. It doesn’t matter how small your stickers may be, it is with the resolution that determines the details that can clearly show on your prints.
As an added note, fonts need to have a resolution of 400dpi so these are legible and every fine line present in the font style is capture in print.
4. Proof your own work especially for the copy, punctuation and grammar. A printer is not required and liable to make any changes in the text of your stickers. So always check your spellings, your name, contact details and the like.
5. Bleeds are necessary. Printers are also not liable to make the bleeds for your files if and when you have forgotten them. Printers have the right to return your files if and when this happens. Do not forget to place bleeds measuring 1/8 of an inch al around your sticker.
6. Center your sticker. Know the true center of your sticker but this does not mean that you have to put the highlight of your sticker smack in the center. This is only done to check the alignment of your file.
7. Trim Area. Observe that the trim area is the actual line where your stickers will be cut to size. Observe a safe distance from the trim area by not putting important text very close to it.
8. Check for Spot colors. Spot colors are those which may require you and your printer to buy a different kind of ink just to match the color you want.
Your printer may return your file if spot color is necessary because if you push through with printing your stickers without the necessary spot color, your stickers’ colors may come out significantly different.
There are various terms and conditions with which a professional printing company operates in processing your sticker printing project. However, this is not to say that your online sticker printer is cold-hearted. Keep your communications lines open and obtain assistance from your printer if and when you can. Make your stickers a success and work on preparing your files the easy way, the right way.
More topics on Sticker Printing can be found at Full Color Printing Services - U Printing |
