1. Missing Fonts
This has been a common problem with artwork since we moved to digital file preparation over a decade ago. You might have this wonderful fancy font in your artwork, but if we don't have it, when we open your file we will get an error message. The best way around this is to always outline your fonts before sending us your file.
2. Missing Bleed
If you want your color to print all the way to the edge of your label you need to include a bleed. For example, if you want to print a 3" x 5" label, the size of the artwork you would create would be 3.125" x 5.125". Also, you need to leave some space around the very edge of your label that is free of text. The reason we need this is because during die-cutting the label material can drift ever so slightly (up to 1/32"), so you need to make allowances for this in your artwork.
3. RGB vs CMYK
Most digital color printers today (including your little desktop inkjet) print in CMYK, also known as four color process. However, all computer monitors display color as RGB (Red-Green-Blue). Now if you create your file for the RGB color space, the color is going to look different when printed on a CMYK printer, so it is always a good idea to create your artwork as CMYK. You should request a press proof if color is very important to you.
4. Improper File Resolution
Many times people send us a file of a picture or graphic that was on their web site and expect us to create a nice looking label from it. Unfortunately, in most cases the file on the web site is very low resolution, often as low as 72 dpi.
5. Tight Borders
If you want a thin border on your labels that prints right near the edge, or bleeds off the edge you are just asking for trouble. While label printing technology has advanced a great deal, there is still some very slight movement when printing and die-cutting your labels. While this movement is only a very small fraction of an inch, if your border is near the edge of the label it will be noticeable.
This has been a common problem with artwork since we moved to digital file preparation over a decade ago. You might have this wonderful fancy font in your artwork, but if we don't have it, when we open your file we will get an error message. The best way around this is to always outline your fonts before sending us your file.
2. Missing Bleed
If you want your color to print all the way to the edge of your label you need to include a bleed. For example, if you want to print a 3" x 5" label, the size of the artwork you would create would be 3.125" x 5.125". Also, you need to leave some space around the very edge of your label that is free of text. The reason we need this is because during die-cutting the label material can drift ever so slightly (up to 1/32"), so you need to make allowances for this in your artwork.
3. RGB vs CMYK
Most digital color printers today (including your little desktop inkjet) print in CMYK, also known as four color process. However, all computer monitors display color as RGB (Red-Green-Blue). Now if you create your file for the RGB color space, the color is going to look different when printed on a CMYK printer, so it is always a good idea to create your artwork as CMYK. You should request a press proof if color is very important to you.
4. Improper File Resolution
Many times people send us a file of a picture or graphic that was on their web site and expect us to create a nice looking label from it. Unfortunately, in most cases the file on the web site is very low resolution, often as low as 72 dpi.
5. Tight Borders
If you want a thin border on your labels that prints right near the edge, or bleeds off the edge you are just asking for trouble. While label printing technology has advanced a great deal, there is still some very slight movement when printing and die-cutting your labels. While this movement is only a very small fraction of an inch, if your border is near the edge of the label it will be noticeable.
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