Electronic Prepress
Here are some guidelines for creating electronic artwork for the flexo printing process. Following these guidelines will help keep additional costs down and eliminate any problems when imaging the file and printing the label.
Software Compatibility: Mac platform, Adobe Illustrator 9.0.1, Adobe Photoshop 6.0. Labels will be imaged from Illustrator, therefore the label should be set-up out in Illustrator (text, drawn logos, die lines, etc.). Process images, Duotones or Bitmap images should be placed Photoshop eps files C 300 dpi (CMYK not RGB) and send the Photoshop files separately. If artwork is set-up in Corel Draw! remove all bitmap images before exporting and send bitmap files separately. Please include a hard copy or at least a PDF of the file as you see it, so placement and scale of elements can be checked. Do not send files in Microsoft Publisher, Word, Pagemaker, Quark Express or other word processing applications.
Fonts: Please include fonts used within your file, both screen and printer fonts. When this is not possible convert fonts to outlines.
Minimum Point Size for Positive Serif Text: 5pt
Minimum Point Size for Reverse Serif Text: 6pt Bold
Minimum Point Size for Positive San Serif Text: Opt
Minimum Point Size for Reverse San Serif Text: 5pt Bold
Avoid building colors for fonts less than 12pt.
Minimum Line Weights: Minimum positive line weight 0.012" Minimum reverse line weight 0.015"
Die Lines: Please contact Express Label for available die sizes and shapes available. Custom dies can be created upon request. 1/16 inch (.0625") bleed is standard as well as a 1/16 inch (.0625") margin inside the die line.
Color Specifications: All colors need to be defined as process or spot (do not use RGB colors). Spot colors need to carry their proper PMS designation.
Screen Tints and Gradients: Screens may range from 100% to 2%. Any screens that run below 2% will not reproduce correctly. Be very careful with gradients, make sure all the colors used have at least 2% screen value throughout the entire gradient. Gradients are preferred rather than blends. 120 bpi is the standard line screen, although this could go up to 175 lpi or down to 85 bpi depending on the substrate we're printing on.
Trapping: 0.01" trap,
Barcodes and UPCs: We can not guarantee scannability of barcodes below 80%.
Nutrition Facts Panel: Express Label can set-up the Nutrition Facts Panel to our understanding of the point sizes and leading required by the FDA. Please contact the Food and Drug Administration for necessary requirements needed for your particular application.
