SCN INC. Printing Requirements

When planning to submit your own artwork, here are a few guidelines

Requirements by Print Method

Screen or Flexo printed items:

• All jobs require vector artwork

• Raster artwork is only acceptable for photographs and similar style artwork.

• If raster artwork is the only art available contact your sales representative for details.

• Digital (full color) Items

• All jobs require vector or raster artwork.

• If raster artwork is the only art available 600dpi is required for best results.

Software and/or File Format

Preferred:

• Illustrator (CS4) .ai

• InDesign (CS4) .indd

• Photoshop (CS4) .psd - (.psd is raster artwork)

Supported:

• Freehand (MX & up) .fh8

• Corel Draw (11 & up) .cdr

• Quark Express (7 & up) .qxd - .tif (if raster is acceptable, see above)

• .pdf (fonts must be converted)

Vector Artwork is required to avoid additional charges and additional time . . .

• Artwork must be submitted at actual size of finished product.

• All fonts must be converted to outlines/paths.

• All placed/linked images must be embedded or included separately.

• All images must include the required bleed if necessary.

• A color copy or jpg indicating cut should be submitted for reference.

• All spot colors should be specifically identified, include white if necessary.

• Cut/Die line should always be clearly indicated with an unused spot color.

Methods for Submitting Artwork

Preferred: Email and /or via our website here - CD-R/RW

Tips:

1. Include a .JPG or PDF for reference

2. Convert all fonts to paths/outlines

3. include or embed all placed images

4. Submit artwork at actual size

5. Identify all spot colors

6. Allow for bleed if necessary

7. Submit the original file if possible

8. Never flatten/merge layers of a .psd

9. Indicate the cut/die line clearly

10. Verify art meets all Artwork Guidelines

Cut Margins and Bleeds

Cut Margin: Cut margin is the minimum space required between elements of art and the finished edge of the product. Size and product are the two main factors that determine cut margin. Note that bleed borders must meet or exceed our minimum cut margin.

Bleed: Bleed is the distance the ink extends past the finished edge of the product before final cutting. Standard minimum bleed is 1/8" (.125"). Raster files must allow for the required bleed when submitted because they are not editable like vector files.

Fonts/Text

Available Fonts: Adobe Font Folio 9.0

Minimum Font Sizes:

San Serif in All Caps: Positive: 4 pt. bold / Reverse: 6 pt. bold

Serif in All Caps: Positive: 6-8 pt. bold / Reverse: 10-12 pt. bold

Live Text: LIve text is still in a text format in the artwork's original program and can still be spell checked and corrected. Live text does require the fonts used in order to be displayed and printed correctly.

Converted Text (Outlines/Paths/Curves): Converted Text is vector artwork and as such can no longer be spell checked. However it does not require fonts in order to be displayed or printed correctly.

Common Fonts:

Alphanumeric Numbering, Variable Data, Barcodes - Available in Black Only. May require an Excel Spreadsheet.

Alphanumeric Numbering: Black numbering is available with letters for use as prefixes and suffixes. Example: "A123", "123 RED LOT"

Variable Data: Variable data is available for things such as phone numbers and locations. Submit an Excel spreadsheet containing the data.

Barcoding: Barcodes are available as constant, variable, or consecutive, in either COde 128 or Code 39. Barcodes with variable numbers will require an Excel Spreadsheet.

Pro-Cut Guidelines

• All Text must be at least .25 inches tall.

• The space between characters and elements must be at least .045 inches.

• Main strokes, line weights or art elements should be a minimum of .0625 inches.

• Pro-cuts should be measured according to the active material area being used.

• An additional carrier for the material will be applied automatically for the process.

Proofs are frequently required for this product.

Contrasting Colors

When selecting colors for use in a layout remember that Visibility is key. Often color combinations can hinder visibility due to a lack of contrast. Below are some examples of low contrast color combinations and our recommendations for better visibility.