When you send a label artwork to your printing supplier, if you want to avoid rejected files, repeated revisions and delayed lead time, this guide includes main factors of standard label artwork. It will also show you how to improve your print quality and efficiency.
Why Does Standard Label Artwork Matter for Your Business?
What Is Label Artwork?
In the printing industry, label artwork is not just a simple design draft. It is the final file you send to suppliers for label production. This final file includes file formats, resolution, color mode and font requirements.
Importance of Standard Label Artwork
Design and file submission is the first step of label printing. The label artwork is the only basis of production.
The files which look qualified on your computer may cause printing errors, or fail to print. For example, if the important text is placed too close to the edge or there are wrong color settings, the printing suppliers will not help you fix these problems.
The wrong label artwork may cause unqualified labels and large-scale waste. It may also delay your delivery time.
Standard and correct label artwork helps ensure a smooth printing process. Standard files can also help reduce unnecessary costs and meet the lead time.
Print-Ready Label Artwork for Business: What Suppliers Require?
Most printing problems do not come from your design. They may appear because your files do not meet printing standards. The following are the main label printing file requirements which printing suppliers need.
Standard File Formats
Most printing suppliers accept AI (Adobe Illustrator) and print-ready PDF files for label printing. These two formats can keep the layers and color data complete. They are convenient for printing.
Most printers cannot work with regular PDF, low-version PSD or other unprocessed files. These files may fail to be opened or lose the content. You will have to make repeated revisions and delay the production.
You should note that the PDF which you submit must be in “print-ready” format. Even if your design is correct, it may not be able to be produced.
Resolution
Keep your label artwork files at 300 DPI or higher for clear printing. Higher DPI can improve print quality, but only when the original image resolution is sufficient.
Low resolution will make small text and brand logos blurry on the labels. The blurry barcode labels cannot be scanned quickly. This may hinder the goods storage and sales, and affect consumers’ experience.
Color Modes
- Three Main Color Modes
CMYK colors are suitable for printing machines. RGB colors can show well on the phones and computers. Pantone colors are spot colors to keep the same color of every batch.
- Application for Every Color Mode
The digital label printers use CMYK colors. The traditional label printers use both CMYK colors and Pantone spot colors. CMYK colors work well for common labels with no strict requirements. You need to choose Pantone spot colors for strict brand colors and zero color difference.
- Risks of Using RGB Color Mode
Some printing suppliers accept RGB colors for printing. But RGB colors will cause color differences after printing and break your original design. It will also cause inconsistent brand colors and influence the brand image. If you choose the wrong color mode, it will take more rework and increase your costs.
Font Requirements
You need to convert all text to outlines before sending print files. This helps turn the words into graphics.
This step can fix the text forms. It avoids missing or replaced fonts when printers open your files to keep printing stable.
Unconverted text is one of the reasons for file rejection. Printers may not have the same font which is used in your label artwork. Wrong fonts will break your design, delay production and influence the label performance.
You should prepare AI or print-ready PDF files, keep resolution above 300 DPI, use correct CMYK or Pantone colors, and convert all text to outlines in advance. This can avoid file rejection, rework and production delays. It can also ensure stable print quality and control your costs.
How to Optimize Your Label Artwork for High-Quality Printing?
After you finish the basic rules for label artwork above, you need to follow the requirements for high-quality printing.
Choose the Appropriate Bleed & Safe Zone & Trim Line
This is important for you to control production risks.
- What Are Bleed, Safe Zone and Trim Line？
- Bleed means extending the sticker’s background beyond the trim line. Leave a 1/16 (about 1.6 mm) inch of bleed outside the label trim line. It can prevent white edges caused by slight cutting errors and keep edges clean.
- The safe zone is an area for key content, such as text, QR codes and brand logos. Leave a 1/16 inch of safe zone inside the label trim line. It can protect the core information from being cut off during cutting errors.
- The trim line is the edge line of your label.
- Risks of Missing Bleed and Safe Zone
Insufficient bleed may cause white edges, which requires reprinting and increases extra costs. If the safe zone is too small, text, QR codes, and brand logos may get cut and make the stickers unusable. Lost key information will cause waste and affect your brand image.
Choose the Appropriate Graphics for Printing
It is recommended for you to choose vector graphics instead of raster graphics such as JPG and PNG.
Vector graphics stay clear even when enlarged by 600-800%, with no blurry images or text.
Common vector file formats include .ai, .pdf and .eps.
If the logos, text and other elements are made of raster images, they will turn blurry when enlarged. Most logos and screenshots which are downloaded from websites are all raster images. They are not suitable for printing.
Choose Layered Artwork Instead of Flat Artwork
Layered artwork is easy to change. All the graphics, colors and lines can be moved or modified separately.
Flat artwork like photos have fixed elements and are hard to change. If you want to change a single word or color, you will have to remake the whole label artwork. This adds extra communication time and delays your delivery time.
These steps can help reduce printing mistakes. Bleed, safe zones, vector graphics and layered artwork are not necessary requirements, but they can avoid white edges, blurry printing and repeated revisions. They help you improve production efficiency, reduce waste and reduce your overall costs.
FAQ
How to Make Artwork for Peel & Reveal Labels?
Users often do not know the peeling position on the top layer of peel & reveal labels. So you need to put peeling instructions on the top label layer.
Peel & reveal labels come with hinges. Make sure to leave an area of at least 3.5 mm wide for hinge adhesion.
Can Text Be Edited After Text Is Converted to Outlines?
After text is converted to outlines, all text cannot be edited or modified. Any content changes require artwork remakes. You should conduct label artwork file check before submitting the label artwork to avoid rework and file rejection.
DIY Vs. Hire a Designer: Which One Fits Your Needs?
For simple labels without strict brand color standards and detail requirements, if you are familiar with print artwork requirements, you can DIY artwork. This way saves more time and costs less.
For customized brand labels printing or designs requiring Pantone spot colors and peel & reveal labels, it is recommended to hire a designer to ensure label performance.
Do Different Label Materials Affect Label Artwork?
Yes. Different label materials have different color and detail performance. You need to adjust the colors and details of your artwork according to the printing material to avoid color differences and blurriness.
Can Suppliers Provide Label Artwork Templates?
Yes. Supplier-provided templates often contain key factors, such as standard trim lines, bleed, safe zone and the right color settings. The templates can meet printers’ requirements better and reduce the risks of printing.
Final Thoughts
Follow the label artwork tips in this label artwork guide when preparing your label artwork to avoid printing problems. Wrong file settings will cause unqualified products, lower profits, and influence your brand image and reputation. If you need a reliable label printing supplier, feel free to contact us.
