While there are many steps to the label printing process, probably one of the most important is getting your art ready to go to press. Having workable art ensures excess time and money are kept to a minimum and helps the process of proofing and printing to run more smoothly. Below, we have listed the three most common questions we run into when receiving and creating art. Further requirements and specifications can be found on our website by clicking the link at the end of the blog.
Common Questions
1. What file formats do you accept?
At Louisville Label, we use Illustrator to get our art ready for press. Because of this, the easiest format to use is a Vector file, also known as an AI file. That being said, we also accept a few other formats as well, including EPS, PSD, High Res PDF’s, High Res JPEGs, and High Res TIFs. The difference between the files is our ability to edit and manipulate. If you have not gotten your art created, finding an artist who uses Illustrator will make for the smoothest transition to press.
If your art is in a different format than an AI or from another listed above, we can take a look at it and let you know if it will be usable. No matter the file format, we will almost always need to see the art to get an accurate idea of how it should run and be priced. At this time, we will let you know if any changes need to be made to make it print ready.
2. Do you create and make changes to art in-house?
While we can do minimal changes to some art, as a general rule, we like to have art sent to us ready to print. We do have an artist we can refer customers to, if they need something created or changed prior to printing. On a case-by-case basis, we will make changes and create art in-house. Typically, our art charges for this run $75/hour; however basic proofing changes such as correcting a misspelled word can usually be done without any cost. We will let you know, prior to proofing, whether there will be an associated cost.
3. Can you match colors exact?
This is sometimes a more complicated answer than yes or no. Every press will print colors differently, specifically when you get into digital printing. What you see on your computer screen and what is printed out on your printer at home will not always look exactly the same as what will be printed here. As well as presses making a difference, the material the label is printed on can also affect the colors. As a general rule, art that is set up in spot colors is easier to color match. Most of the time, art that is set up in Four Color Process will have to be printed as-is. This is because, typically any changes made to one color will effect the rest of the print, making the colors not editable once on press. All of that being said, if there are specific colors are you trying to match, please let us know at the beginning of the proofing process; this includes any printed samples you would like us to try and match. We will take a look at your art and information you have given us and see if we can make that happen.
While these are the top three most common art-related questions we run into, this is by no means an extensive list. If you have a question that was not answered in this blog, visit our website to find more information and specifics about our art requirements and capabilities. And, as always, if you still have questions or would like to speak with someone in person, contact us.
