Design and Submission Guideline

Bleed

Definition: Bleed refers to the area of your artwork that extends beyond the trim line. This ensures that your design covers the entire page after trimming.

Why It Matters: During the printing process, the paper can shift slightly, and bleed compensates for this movement. Without bleed, you might end up with thin white lines on the edges of your printed piece where the design was meant to extend to the edge.

How to Implement:

• Set Up: Add 5mm of bleed to each edge of your artwork beyond the trim line.
• Design: Extend background colors, images, or design elements into the bleed area.
• Software Tools: Most design software allows you to set up bleed guidelines to help ensure your design elements extend far enough.

For artwork with background that stretches till the edge of the page, please create bleed (5mm for every side) for every page.

However, you do not need to create bleed for pages with white background and which the contents are centered in the page.

Trim

Definition: Trim refers to the final size of your printed piece after it has been cut from the larger sheet of paper.

Why It Matters: Understanding the trim size ensures that your design is created to fit the exact dimensions of the finished product, without losing important content or having uneven edges.

How to Implement:

• Specify Dimensions: Set the document size in your design software to match the final trim size of your product.
• Design to Size: Ensure all critical elements of your design are within the trim area and not extending into the bleed.

Make sure your artwork document size for every page is according to the output paper size.

Margin

Definition: Margin is the space between the trim edge and the content of your design. It’s essentially a buffer zone that ensures that important text and graphics are not too close to the edges.

Why It Matters: Margins help prevent important elements from being cut off or too close to the edge, especially when the paper shifts slightly during the trimming process.

How to Implement:

• Set Margins: Typically, a margin of at least 5mm from the trim edge is recommended for text and critical elements.
• Check Design: Make sure all important content is within this margin to avoid accidental cutting or poor appearance.

Safe Area

Definition: The safe area, also known as the "live area," is the zone within the trim size where you should keep all critical content like text, logos, and important images. This area ensures that essential elements are not cut off during trimming.

Why It Matters: Keeping content within the safe area helps avoid problems where parts of your design might be trimmed off or appear too close to the edge.

How to Implement:

• Define Safe Area: Typically, the safe area should be at least 5mm inside the trim size, but this can vary based on the specific project and printer recommendations.
• Position Content: Place all critical design elements within this zone to ensure they are not affected by the trimming process.

1. Document Orientation: Set your document’s orientation to match the final print product. For example, use portrait orientation for vertical designs and landscape orientation for horizontal designs. Make sure the artwork aligns with the intended print direction.

2. Bleed Area Alignment: Ensure that the bleed area is properly aligned with the document’s edges. For landscape orientations, check that the bleed extends correctly along the width and height of the document. For portrait orientations, make sure the bleed area is consistent on all sides.

3. Image Placement: Verify that images and important elements are correctly positioned within the document’s orientation. For landscape designs, ensure that horizontal images are correctly aligned. For portrait designs, check that vertical images fit appropriately.

4. Text Alignment: Align text according to the orientation of the document. For landscape layouts, text should be arranged horizontally. For portrait layouts, text should be oriented vertically. Make sure text is readable and not too close to the edges.

Landscape Orientation

Portrait Orientation

Mixed Orientation

Example Orientations

1. Flyer (Portrait): Final Size: 127 mm x 178 mm, Orientation: Vertical. Ensure all design elements are correctly aligned with vertical orientation.

2. Business Card (Landscape): Final Size: 89 mm x 51 mm, Orientation: Horizontal. Ensure that all text and images are aligned horizontally.

3. Booklet (Portrait): Final Size: 215.9 mm x 279.4 mm, Orientation: Vertical. Verify that pages are laid out correctly for vertical binding.

1. File Preparation: Create a master file with static content and provide a separate file with running number data or variable elements. Ensure all variable data fields are clearly marked.

2. Numbering Sequence: Define and provide the numbering sequence in your data file. Ensure that the sequence is correctly formatted and matches the order of the printed items.

3. Positioning: Indicate where the running numbers should appear on the artwork. Use clear markers or annotations to show the placement.

4. Proofing: Review a proof to verify that the running numbers are correctly placed and the sequence is accurate before finalizing the print job.

Example Running Number Jobs

1. Event Tickets: Numbering on the bottom of each ticket. Ensure each ticket has a unique number and is in the correct sequence.

2. Invoices: Running numbers in the top right corner. Confirm the sequence and positioning before printing.

Prepare ONLY 2 Files

Template

File 1: Artwork file

File 2: Numbering file

Example

File 1: Artwork file

File 2: Numbering file

1. Document Setup: Set up your artwork in spreads, not individual pages. Include front and back covers, and ensure pages are arranged in the correct order for binding.

2. Bleed and Margins: Include a bleed area of 5mm around all edges of each page. Ensure all critical content is within a margin of 0.25” (1/4 inch) from the edge to avoid cropping.

3. Page Numbering: Clearly indicate page numbers in your artwork, if applicable. Ensure they are positioned correctly and do not interfere with important content.

4. Proofing: Review a proof to check page alignment, color consistency, and bleed areas. Confirm that the booklet is correctly assembled in the proof.

Example Booklets

1. Product Catalog: Includes a front cover, interior pages, and back cover. Ensure the design flows seamlessly across spreads.

2. Annual Report: Set up in spreads with front and back covers. Verify page numbering and content layout before printing.

1. Document Size: Set the document size to the final sticker dimensions. Include a bleed area of 5mm around the sticker to avoid white edges after cutting.

2. Cut Line: Define the cut line clearly, typically using a separate layer or color to indicate where the sticker will be cut. Ensure the cut line does not overlap important design elements.

   Multi-Edges Die Line: There should not be more than 5 cutting edges within 10mm.

   

3. Safe Zone: Keep all important text and images at least 5mm away from the cut line to prevent them from being trimmed off.

4. Proofing: Review a proof to check the cut lines, bleed areas, and overall design placement before final printing.

Preparation for sticker file

Actual sticker preview

File 1: Sticker artwork (bleed)

File 2: Sticker knife

Example Stickers

1. Product Labels: Set up with correct cut lines and bleed areas. Ensure that all text and logos are within the safe zone.

2. Promotional Stickers: Include a bleed area and clearly defined cut line. Check that the design is correctly aligned and not too close to the cut line.

1. Document Setup: Create artwork using the die-cut template provided. Ensure that all design elements fit within the specified panels and adhere to fold lines.

2. Bleed and Margins: Include a bleed area of 5mm beyond the cut lines to avoid white edges. Maintain a safe zone of 5mm from fold lines and cut edges to ensure critical content is not cut off.

3. Fold and Glue Areas: Pay special attention to areas that will be folded or glued. Avoid placing critical content in these zones to prevent it from being obscured or cut off.

4. Proofing: Review a proof to ensure that all panels align correctly, the bleed areas are properly set, and that the design looks correct when folded into the final box shape.

Example Packaging Boxes

1. Retail Box: Set up with the die-cut template, ensuring all design elements fit correctly on the various panels.

2. Shipping Box: Design must account for fold lines and glue areas. Verify that the artwork aligns properly when folded into the final box shape.

Design Considerations

1. Select Areas for Spot UV: Choose the elements of your design that you want to highlight, such as logos, text, or images. Spot UV is most effective on details that benefit from added texture and gloss.

2. Contrast and Visibility: Ensure there is enough contrast between the Spot UV and the rest of the design. High-contrast areas will make the Spot UV effect more pronounced and impactful.

3. File Preparation:

   • Create a Spot UV Layer: In your design file, create a separate layer or file for the Spot UV areas. Use a distinct color (e.g., 100% K) to indicate these areas.
   • Specify Thickness: Indicate the desired thickness or texture for the Spot UV coating to achieve the intended 3D effect.

4. Avoid Overlapping: Ensure the Spot UV areas do not overlap with critical text or fine details that might be distorted by the coating process.

File Requirements

1. Format: Submit files in high-resolution PDF, AI, or PSD formats.

2. Resolution: Ensure a minimum resolution of 300 DPI for all design elements to maintain quality.

3. Color Mode: Use CMYK color mode for the primary design and a separate Spot UV layer in a designated spot color (between 35% to 100% K (black)).

Production Tips

1. Proofing: Request a proof to review the Spot UV effect and ensure it meets your expectations before final production.

2. Layered Files: Send layered files to clearly separate the Spot UV design from the main artwork. This helps in accurate placement and application.

3. Review with Printer: Discuss your Spot UV design with our team to confirm compatibility with your chosen print materials and to finalize the finishing details.