Rating Plate Labels - All rating plate labels and service equipment stickers are screen printed. Aluminum rating plate labels have special matte finish for ball point pen or typewriter - does not indent or emboss. Embossed aluminum rating plate labels have a satin finish and will dent or emboss when written on with ball point pen or typewriter. Apply them indoors or out.
Embossable and Write On Aluminum Decal Proof Information
All proofs are posted on-line at your request. Proofs are not mailed or faxed.
If a proof is requested, it will add 1 to 2 days to the standard 8 day production time - assuming prompt approval. (8 day production starts once you have approved the proof.)
NOTE: Changes requested from proof which are changes from customer's original submitted artwork, text, or graphic specifications will incur an additional artwork charge, and will further extend production schedule by at least 1 day.
Complete Artwork and Proof Policy
Bleeds
For screen printed products, artwork should stay 1/8" from the edge of the decal or continue past the edge 1/8" if the imprint will bleed. If two colors touch on your artwork, the light color should bleed under the dark color by 1/32".
Scanned Images
Follow the instructions below for best results when using a scanned image within the art layout.
• Use an original continuous tone image scanned on a high-end drum scanner.
• The scan must be CMYK at 300 DPI resolution or higher at actual print size.
• Most flat bed scanners only scan in the RGB mode. Although these files will look good on the computer monitor, the color information will not convert correctly for a four-color process printed image.
• Both created and scanned images must have a resolution of 300 DPI or higher at final print size.Resolution cannot simply be increased in the program if working from a low resolution file. This merely spreads the original pixel information across a greater number of pixels and does not improve image quality. (Most internet images are a low resolution of 72 DPI.)
• Scanned images cannot be manipulated. Text, logos, borders, etc. should be created in a drawing / layout program such as Illustrator, FreeHand or QuarkXpress. This allows us to make necessary adjustments to the digital file such as adding trap.
• Convert all text to paths, curves or outlines. If this is not possible send both screen and printer Type 1 fonts used for the job being printed.
• Color proofs are made from the digital file and may vary slightly from your computer monitor or color printer. The final printed product may also vary slightly from the color proof due to the differences between printing and proofing methods.
Preferred Programs
• FreeHand - Mac Version 8.0 or higher
• Quark XPress - Mac Version 4.0 or higher
• Adobe Illustrator - Mac Version 9.0 or higher
Accepted Programs
• Pagemaker - Mac Version 7.0 or higher
• Corel Draw - Mac Version 10.0 - Export file as .ai - Send all support files - Keep colors as spot - Export text as curves.• FreeHand - Windows Version 8.0 or higher - Convert text to paths.
• Adobe Illustrator - Windows Version 9.0 or higher- Save Windows as Adobe Illus. 9.0 - Convert text to outlines.
• Corel Draw - Windows Version 10.0 or higher - Export file as.ai - Keep colors as spot - Send all support files - Export text as curvesFont InformationConvert text to paths, curves or outlines (vector art). If this is not possible, send in both screen & printer Type 1 fonts used for the art to be printed. Be sure to list all font names used.
Do not send PC fonts.
Support Files Information
• EPS - Illustrator - Save as Illustrator EPS.
• FreeHand - Save as editable EPS.
• Quark Xpress - Save page as EPS.
• TIFF - Photoshop file saved as a 300 dpi grayscale at actual size.
• PDF - File must contain: vector art, high resolution (300 dpi) grayscale images for halftones, postscript fonts. Bitmap raster Image - 1200 dpi. DO NOT send in your original!
• Compress files for faster upload with less chance of transfer interruptions using Stuffit™ for Windows or Zip for Windows.
Accepted File Storage
• Macintosh or PC formatted - 3.5 inch Diskettes.
• Macintosh or PC formatted - Removable 44mb, 88mb, 200mb (Must be SyQuest compatible).
• Macintosh or PC formatted - Iomega ZIP drives, 100 mb, 250 mb, or 750 mb.
• Macintosh or PC formatted - CD ROM, DVD, Jaz 1 gb or 2 gb.
Please contact CustomerCare if you need additional information.
