SPECIFICATIONS FOR CREATING LABEL GRAPHICS
We will be happy to create the
graphics for your labels for you, or you can have the graphics
done by your own artists. This section is meant to provide information on how you
or your artists can best prepare
your graphics for us in order to eliminate or minimize costly mistakes and remakes. Our intent is
to give you the specifications you need to optimize your graphics and assure the best possible
results for the finished printed labels.
This list is not all-inclusive, so if you have questions not answered here, call us.
Accepted Software
We can use either Mac or PC files created with these programs: Adobe InDesign, Adobe
Photoshop, Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator, and Quark Express. Our
preference would be to create your design in illustrator,
convert all text to outlines, and then create a .PDF file to
supply to us. Please do not use crop marks provided by the
program, but instead create a die line to show position and add
1/8" bleed to art. If you have questions about how we use these files, feel free to contact us, but please
understand we can provide neither technical support nor creative direction for
any of them.
Sending Your Files to Us
You can send your files to us
either on disk, by email, or by uploading the files directly to
our server in our online Services Center on this website.
ON DISK -- We accept only
CDs or DVDs. Our street and mailing address is:
Southwest Label & Printing, Inc.
1155 W. 23rd, Suite 10A
Tempe, AZ 85282
BY EMAIL -- Please use
Stuffit, ZipIt, or WinZip, or any compatible program to compress
all files and include them in one archive file. Attach the
archive file to the email, describe the contents in the Subject line, and provide any necessary
instructions in the email message. Send the email to: Prepress@SouthwestLabel.com
UPLOAD TO OUR SERVICES CENTER
-- Please use Stuffit, ZipIt, or WinZip, or any compatible
program to compress all files and include them in one archive
file. Call us at 480-927-0274 to request a User ID and
password. You will also need to ask for the Job No. assigned to
your order. Click on Log-In on the main menu bar above and enter
your User ID and password. Once you have logged-in, you may
change your password to one of your choice. Select Upload
on the Services Center submenu and follow the instructions on
that page to upload your file.
What
to Send
- Layout file(s) and all support files (such as TIFF, EPS,
and all original files) must be provided. This includes
logos, blends, or other artwork and any fonts used in these
files, along with all required linking files. If fonts are
not converted to outline form, then font files will also
need to be included.
- All hi-resolution full-color images must be converted to
CMYK with a minimum resolution of 300 DPI at final size.
Please do not use images in RGB mode, as colors change when
converted to CMYK. You must do this conversion yourself so
you can see and approve the converted colors.
- Supply a digital color approved proof when ordering.
Please mail or deliver to us a color printout from your files so we
have a reference to go by when we output your job. It helps us to know how you want everything to look
in the final result. Also include a die outline on new custom die-cut jobs.
Process Colors
Use CMYK "process" colors,
NOT RGB when constructing files. Select the "Process" box in the color
palette. You should also specify PMS colors, either instead of or in addition to process colors. Be sure the
"Process" box is NOT selected for any PMS colors and note the numbers of the PMS colors on the layout.
Bleeds
Colors, photos, and graphics extending to the trim must extend at least
1/8"
past the trim.
Trapping
We will handle trapping.
Physical Artwork
Yes, we can still handle artwork, illustrations, and
photographic prints and transparencies. Additional costs for digitizing and/or negatives
may be incurred for this.
Press Guidelines and Specifications
Up to six colors may be run at one time. This means you can run
full-color process plus an extra spot color or two, or a UV varnish, all at the same time. Maximum print
area is 9½" by 27" for finished art. We cannot take any screens to zero percent.
Art will need to be
adjusted to a minimum of 2% to account for any such situations.
Tints, blends, and/or gradients must have a minimum of 2% color
fill. Do not use any type size smaller than 3 point, especially reverses.
Additional Assistance
Again, if you have questions about any of our procedures or requirements,
please call us so we may discuss them with you. We are here to assist you with all of your label needs..
Phone: 480-927-0274
Hours: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday thru Friday, and
often on Saturdays.
