Label Artwork Creation Tips

We use a four color process printing system. This Process Color printing combines different percentages of cyan, magenta, and yellow thermal transfer ribbon to create all other colors.

Creating your label

Generally, we will place your artwork into our labeling software seperately and then type in your text and add requested graphics (boxes and lines) and bar codes. So even if you only have an idea for a label and a little artwork and text we can still create your label.

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Text and Fonts

The text file you send us can be in any file format from a Word document to a fax with the text hand printed.

We have thousands of fonts availble to us, but there are tens of thousands more available. If you are using special fonts be sure to include it with the file you send to us. The font must be usable by a Windows XP computer so Macintosh OS X users may need to convert their special fonts by using TransType or other similar converter. If you are using special fonts then place the fonts and the text into a ZIP file before sending to us.

Bar code

Our label creation software allows us to easily create your bar code. We only need to know the Bar Code Type (UPC-A, etc.), numberical data for your bar code, size and positioning of your bar code.

To obtain your UPC Registration Number (first 6 digits of the barcode) please contact: Uniform Code Council at (937) 435-3870 or visit: www.uc-council.org

Graphic Elements

We can create your simple graphic elements like lines and boxs for you. Just tell or show us what you desire.

Artwork and file formats

We can accept many types of file formats for your artwork files. All artwork should be in 300 dpi (dots per inch). Artwork-only images should be saved or imported in a PC Compatible format with the proper extension; .bmp, .tiff, or .pcx format.

BMP is a standard Windows image format on DOS and Windows-compatible computers. BMP format supports RGB, Indexed Color, Grayscale, and Bitmap color modes.

PCX format is commonly used by IBM PC-compatible computers. Most PC software supports version 5 of PCX format. PCX format supports RGB, Indexed Color, Grayscale, and Bitmap color modes, and does not support alpha channels.

TIFF (Tagged-Image File Format) is used to exchange files between applications and computer platforms. TIFF is a flexible bitmap image format supported by virtually all paint, image-editing, and page-layout applications. Also, virtually all desktop scanners can produce TIFF images.

File size and dpi

If you are creating complete label for us to print then use the following guides.

Our label printer is optimized for 300 dots per inch (dpi), so it is best to set your artwork with that setting. As an example, if you are creating artwork for the LA2017 label, which is 2 inches by 1.75 inches, the file you create would be (2 inches by 300 dpi) 600 pixels by 525 pixels (1.75 inches by 300 dpi). See image for a typical graphic layout setup for LA2017.

All images that are uploaded for printing need to be created in 300 dpi. DO NOT save or export you artwork with "Anti-aliasing."

Colors: CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black)

These are the 4 Ink colors used on our presses to create a multitude of colors for excellent reproduction of photographs, illustrations and graphic designs. However, please make sure all your files are in the RGB ( Red, Green, Blue)  format before submitting them to us.

Any color that does not contain 100% or 0% of each ribbon will be printed with a dot pattern (dithering or halftoning). When a color is printed with 100% or 0% of each ribbon, it is considered to be fully saturated.

Desktop scanners and computer monitors use the RGB gamut or color system. The gamut of a color system is the range of colors that can be displayed or printed. Full color printing reproduces colors inside CMYK color system. Not all RGB colors can be reproduced in the CMYK color system.

We recommend using the Pantone Process color systems for color reference. Some PMS  (Pantone Matching System) colors are not accurately represented in CMYK. Metallic colors, some oranges and some greens are not well represented by CMYK. If your files use these colors, it may be necessary to contact you to determine if you wish to change your design, or run our closest CMYK match.

The label stock, coated or uncoated, will have an effect on the final printed color.