Flexographic Prepress Artwork Instructions and Upload Portal

APPLICATIONS

  • Adobe Illustrator (preferred).
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Acrobat Professional


FILE PACKAGING

  • Final file for production supplied as either a Normalized PDF (NDFP) or Illustrator file with PDF copy.
  • Include all fonts (including fonts used in supporting files) or convert type to outlines.
  • Include all supporting files (for example - layered Photoshop images).
  • Package and compress all files before uploading to our FTP site.


SUBMIT FILES

  • CL&D FTP (Name file as: customer name_item) CL&D GRAPHICS FTP FILE UPLOAD


BAR CODE SPECIFICATIONS

  • CL&D Graphics reproduces each barcode to ensure it meets our standands of quality and scanability.
  • UPC Standards: 80% minimum size | 100 micron BWR | 1/8” quiet zone | 3/8” minimum height.
  • Barcodes are recommended to be printed in black. Barcode orientation can vary by package type.
Sample Bar Codes

LAYOUT

  • Text minimums: Positive Printing: 4 point | Reverse Printing: 4 point & bold.
  • Line minimums: Positive Printing: 0.4 point | Reverse Printing: 0.5 point.
  • Set Document Raster Settings to High (300 ppi).
  • Remove stray points.
  • Ensure white is not set to overprint.
  • Ensure PMS colors are not set to 0%.


TRAPPING

  • Use keylines to avoid color variations due to web movement with a 2.88 point stroke when reversing through multiple colors or 4/C.
  • Trap Size: Standard = 0.01 | Minimum = 0.007 inches.
Sample Trapping Image

PHOTOSHOP IMAGES

  • All images are a minimum of 300 dpi.
  • All images are CMYK, Grayscale or Duotone.
  • Maintain layers in all Photoshop images when applicable.
  • FPO’s are clearly marked.
  • Include clipping paths in Photoshop when the paths for four-color process or Photoshop images are used in trapping and screening. Note: Whenever possible, create drop shadows, glows, etc. in Illustrator.


GRADIENTS

  • Process color and spot color gradients are built using separate elements combined with the top gradient’s appearance setting set to 'Darken'.

COLOR & SWATCHES

  • Four color process printing should be limited to use in images.
  • Note: Pantone® colors are used for the most accurate color matching.
  • Swatches pallet should consist of Pantone® Plus Coated Library.

UPLOAD PORTAL