LABEL ARTWORK REQUIREMENTS | GUIDELINES
Preparing your artwork correctly is essential to achieve high-quality custom label printing. Follow our Label Artwork Requirements, color matching standards, including image and font specifications to ensure your artwork is print-ready and produces accurate, consistent results.
Preferred File Formats
Adobe Illustrator (.AI)
- Fonts converted to outlines
- All images embedded or Include all linked images
- Artwork built at 100% size whenever possible
- Saved in CMYK color mode
PDF/X
- High-resolution PDF
- Fonts embedded or converted to outlines
- Images embedded or Include all linked images
- Include bleed when applicable
- Saved in CMYK color mode
Fonts & Graphics
- Convert all fonts to outlines whenever possible. If fonts are not converted, please include all printer and screen fonts used in the artwork.
- Include all linked images and graphic files.
- Scanned images must be a minimum of 300 DPI.
- Save raster images in CMYK, grayscale, or duotone mode.
- Build artwork at 100% size whenever possible.
Color Setup
- Define colors correctly as:
- CMYK Process Colors
- PMS Spot Colors
- Verify whether objects should overprint or knock out.
- Remove unused color swatches before submitting artwork.
NOTE: RGB files may result in unexpected color shifts during printing.
Minimum Print Standards
- Minimum positive line weight: 0.5 pt
- Minimum reversed line weight: 1 pt
- Minimum positive type:
- 2 pt Sans Serif
- 3 pt Serif
- Minimum reversed type:
- 5 pt Sans Serif
- 8 pt Serif
- Scanned images must be at least 300 DPI.
- Printable dots down to 0.3%.
Bleeds & Die Lines
- Bleed should extend 0.125″ beyond the die line.
- Keep critical artwork at least 0.0625″ away from the die line.
- In case you are creating your own trapping, we recommend a color trap:
- 0.5 pt inside
- 0.5 pt outside
Process Printing & Color Matching
We print labels using:
- CMYK Process Printing (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black)
- PMS Spot Colors
Our color management workflow targets a Delta E (ΔE) value of 2.0 or less, providing excellent color consistency and repeatability between production runs.
Color variation may occur due to differences in substrate, coatings, laminations, ink formulations, and viewing conditions. For critical brand colors, we recommend providing Pantone references whenever possible.
Questions?
For any questions regarding file preparation or compatibility, please contact our Art Department before submitting your files.