Artwork Guidelines
When uploading design files, please keep the following in mind:
Accepted File Formats
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RGB is an additive light-based colour used for computer monitors that includes red, green & blue. It is additive since direct light is used to display colour. |
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CMYK is a subtractive 4 colour printing process that used cyan, magenta, yellow & black inks. It is subtractive since light is reflected off the paper. |
Adobe Adobe Encapsulated SVG File
PDF Illustrator PostScript
(preferred) (preferred)
Adobe TIFF File JPEG File PNG File
Photoshop
If available, save your artwork as a high-resolution Adobe PDF with Press Quality selected to avoid poor print quality. PDF is an open format, and some PDF elements are not printable. We suggest applying PDF/X to ensure all elements of your art file can be printed.
Word processors, spreadsheets, presentations, PDF readers and rudimentary image editing programs are not the ideal choice for editing or creating graphics. Also, we do not recommend using Adobe Reader to edit your PDF files. Use professional applications like Adobe Creative Suite, CorelDraw or QuarkXPress to export an Adobe PDF with Press Quality.
File Requirements
- Resolution of 300dpi or higher (800dpi preferred)
- Fonts are 5-points size or greater
- Lines are 0.5-point thickness or greater
- Graphics are embedded (not linked)
- Overprinting is removed
- Minimum barcode size of 80% with quiet zone
Your fonts must be embedded, If you’re not sure, convert your text to outline before uploading your artwork to avoid delays. If converted to an image, pixel-based typesetting of 800 dpi is suggested.
JPEG, PNG, BMP and other non-copyright images taken from the internet may include settings or artifacts that interfere with print quality. A higher resolution may help. For these and grayscale images, a minimum 600 dpi is suggested.
Color Palette 
We accept CMYK color palettes. If exact colors are required, we may recommend purchasing a printed proof to ensure we meet your colour expectations.
If white underprinting is required, the artwork (PDF, AI, PSD) must have a separate spot color defined in the file and named HPI-White.
Artwork Colours
CMYK colours are the industry standard for printed materials and produce truer, more accurate colour matching. We highly recommend CMYK art files be submitted in for best printing results. Files submitted in RGB will have to be converted in-house to CMYK, and the color difference can be quite dramatic, especially for bright colors.
File Layout 
Bleed Line
Include 1/16" (1.5mm) of space outside the dimensions (Trim Line) of your label as a Bleed Line. Any background color or graphic that you want printed to the edge of your label should extend to the Bleed Line to ensure that the final product has no gaps.
Safety Line
Include 1/16" (1.5mm) of space inside the dimensions (Trim Line) of your label as a safe area. All important text and graphics should be inside the Safety Line to ensure that they are not cut off during the printing process.
Ensure that all borders are at least 3/16" (4.8mm) thick and extend to 1/16” (1.5mm) inside the Safety Line. This will guarantee that they print consistently around the edge of your labels.
Trim Line
The Trim Line is where your label will be cut. This is the finished size.
When formatting the Safety, Trim, and Bleed line in your artwork, they must be set up as spot colors and named accordingly: Safety Line, Trim Line, Bleed Line.
Electronic and Printed Proofs
An electronic proof is the best option for visual inspections. We will e-mail you a PDF within 24 hours showing you exactly what your printed product will look like as it pertains to shape, position, and layout.
Please remember that colors on computer screens vary based on device settings, and as a result, electronic proofs provide a good approximation of color but are not an exact color match to printed products.
Printed proofs are available for purchase if you need to color proof your artwork before approving. The proof will be printed for color proofing purposes only.
If you need to test the adhesive or label material, please contact us to request actual material samples.
Regardless of the type of proof you choose, production of your order will not begin until you have reviewed and approved your proofs.