DESIGN & PRINTING GUIDELINES

PERFECT ARTWORK.
PERFECT PRINTING.

We recommend using our template / Guidelines to create a print file to avoid error and delay. You can download the templates from each product web page.

Quick Checklist for Submitting Artwork

  • Use our graphic templates for designing
  • Print-file should be in CMYK colour profile.
  • Do not up-sample your images.
  • Use vector formats for text, line-art and logos.

RED LINE (Crop Mark)

This is the crop-line (trim-line) where paper/card will be cut in the final stage of production. Any important content should not be near this line, design beyond Red line will be cropped in the final product.

Black Line (Bleed Mark)

This is the Bleed line. A bleed is printed content that extends beyond the trimmed edge (Red Line) of your final printed piece. Bleeds are important because they allow your artwork to be cut without artifacts. If there is no bleed you may have a small white space around the cut edge.

Blue Dashed Line (Content Safe Area)

This is the Bleed line. A bleed is printed content that extends beyond the trimmed edge (Red Line) of your final printed piece. Bleeds are important because they allow your artwork to be cut without artifacts. If there is no bleed you may have a small white space around the cut edge.

Template-DesignTemplate-Final
Flat Spot UV lamination visiting card printing by Redpixel

Spot UV
Design Instructions

Spot UV is a clear and glossy over-printing process for specific areas. Minimal use of UV adds a more appealing look.

  • Create a separate design where UV is indicated using 100% black color.
  • The UV file should align with its position in the original design.
  • We recommend using UV for logos, big & bold text, and prominent graphics.
  • Avoid applying UV to graphics smaller than 1mm.
  • Avoid placing UV at the corners of the design or near the trim line.

Spot UV Design Ideas

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UV_02-aUV_02-b
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Spot UV on printed design, logo or content
Clear effect anything without printed below the Spot UV
Clear Spot UV with pattern across the artifacts

Foil Printing Instructions

Foil printing is an overprinting or stamping process that offers options in Gold, Silver, and various metallic colors.

  • Create a separate design where Foil print is indicated using 100% black color.
  • The foil design should not be included in the original artwork.
  • Foil printing should not be positioned near the corner of the trim line.
  • Foil is not recommended for designs or text smaller than 1mm.
Redpixel printworks foil print business card
Foil-Setup

Die Cut Cards
Design Instructions

Foil printing is an overprinting or stamping process that offers options in Gold, Silver, and various metallic colors.

  • For die-cut cards, use our template and submit the design using the same.
  • For custom-shaped cards, the die-cut should be smaller than 88×94 mm.
  • The die-cut design should be in vector format with a 1pt/1px thick black line.
  • Important content, logos, spot UV, or foil should not be positioned near the die-cut trim line.

Technical Terms / Glossary

1What is Artwork?
An Artwork / Print-file is a file which is used for printing. Usually, these files are created in graphic applications like CorelDraw, Adobe Illustrator, InDesign or Photoshop.
2When is Vector?
Vectors are shapes plotted by points along a mathematically generated path. Vector images can change to any size without losing quality. Popular vector image formats are AI, CDR, SVG and EPS formats. Your text should always be in a vector format. Use Convert-to-curves or Convert to Outline tool in graphic applications. Logos work best in a vector format.
3What Are Bleeds? Why are Bleeds Important?
A bleed is printed content that extends beyond the trimmed edge of your final printed piece. Bleeds are important because they allow your artwork to be cut without artifacts. If there is no bleed you may have a small white space around the cut edge.
4Why CMYK Colour Profile
Your computer uses a color space called RGB to produce the colors you see on your screen. A printing press uses a color space called CMYK to produce similar colors using just four colors of ink: cyan, magenta, yellow and black, also known as 4 color process. When you send your files to a commercial printer, they must be in the CYMK color space.
5What is UpSample & DownSample
When you make an image smaller than its original size, you are downsampling it, when you make it larger you are upsampling. You should always avoid upsampling your images. Adding data to an image will usually result in a very poor printed image. Usually, vectors or text don’t change its quality in sampling of images.