Foil Blocking - Artwork Specifications

Posted: 26 Jul 2013

Please ensure artwork is supplied in line with these specifications. Artwork received that is not in line with these specifications may be subject to amend charges. Keylink cannot accept responsibility for print errors or late deliveries where artwork has been supplied incorrectly.

Elements which are too close together may fill in.

Artwork origination

We advise that artwork is only generated and amended in the following design programs: 
Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign/Quark Xpress or Acrobat in the following formats - EPS, PDF, AI or TIFF

Artwork can also be supplied in the following hard copy methods: Film (negative, right reading, emulsion side up), Paper (Positive, right reading).  If supplying on paper, please use a laser printer NOT an inkjet printer as this is unsuitable; you should also ensure that the design is in black and white and as crisp as possible.

Keylink cannot accept responsibility for any unwanted results from artwork originally generated in any other package. This is especially true of ‘office’ programs such as Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, etc, regardless of how the files are exported. Word and Powerpoint do not embed tyepfaces, so if you are using an unusual typeface, please supply this along with your artwork. You must also supply a visual of your design by email or post (or fax) so that we can be sure we are recreating exactly what you expect.

Artwork should be saved in the following file formats: 
Vector artwork - PDF or EPS
Bitmap artwork - TIFF

Resolution

All non-vector artwork should be supplied at a minimum of 600 DPI, any artwork supplied lower than 600DPI may produce a block of lower quality than you require.

Illustrator/Freehand files should have their final output set to 2540.

PDFs should be set as follows; overall resolution of 2540, individual line art resolution of 1200DPI and individual bitmap resolution of 600DPI. 

Colours

Please set all colours as spot colours (rather than CMYK) and ensure that only the colours required for the final block are included in the artwork files. Please delete all unused colour swatches from the colour palettes. 
Please note that it is unlikely that the colours shown by your monitor will be the same as is produced by the blocking, this is because a monitor displays in RGB and is subject to Balance and Contrast adjustments (like a TV). Please also note that a desk Inkjet or Laser printer will also not truly reflect print colour, as these printers are not calibrated to do so.

Type

All fonts used should be embedded (PDFs) or converted to outlines (Illustrator EPS or AI). 
Minimum size type in positive print is 6 point in block type such as Helvetica and 8 point in serif type such as Times Roman. It is not recommended to use extra bold or light type faces smaller than 8 point.
Minimum size type in reverse print is 8 point in bold block type such as Helvetica Bold and 8 point in a serif type such as Bookman Medium. It is not recommended to use extra bold or light type faces smaller than 8 point.
Minimum size rule lines are 1 point.

Overprint

Please ensure that no elements of the design are set to overprint. We cannot always check for this and it is likely to generate unexpected results.

Programme Specific instructions:

InDesign/Quark
Please do not use the text display attributes (Bold, Italic, etc), instead use font families with suitable choices. 

Photoshop files
Please save all Photoshop files as either uncompressed TIFF files. All Photoshop files must be flattened prior to saving, TIFF files saved with layers may not work correctly when the file is ripped and may generate unwanted results. JPEGs should be saved with the quality set to it’s maximum (Photoshop 12)

Artwork Supply

Ideally artwork should be supplied by email if the file size is less than 10 megabytes, any Email with attachment(s) sent that are greater than 10mb may not be received.  If this is the case, please use a service such as WeTransfer.com and send the email/WeTransfer to sales@keylink.org. Please remember to include full contact details with your Email. 

CDs/DVD'd/memory sticks will not be returned unless specifically requested at time of order. Please note that we do not hold any supplied artwork.

Compression

Files should be supplied uncompressed wherever possible; Stuffit / Drop Stuff may be used to compress files if necessary. However all files send via Email should be compressed as either sit or zip files.

Proof

All artwork must be supplied with a colour proof. All open files (non bitmap artwork) sent digitally must be sent with a clearly labelled JPEG proof. Keylink cannot accept responsibility for any printing errors if no proof is supplied.

Re-supplying artwork

We aim to check and prepare all artwork as soon as it is received; if you need to amend your artwork and re-supply it you must phone the office to arrange this and clearly label the re-supplied version. Keylink cannot accept any responsibility if incorrect versions are printed when multiple versions have been supplied with no phoned instructions given. If the files are complex and take significant time to prepare for print a charge may be made for re-supplied files.

Artwork supply address

Post artwork to: 
Unit 1A, 31 East Industrial Estate, Kingfisher Way, Dinnington, Sheffield S25 3AF
E-mail artwork to: sales@keylink.org

Confirmation

Artwork will only be processed on receipt of written, fax or E-mail confirmation of the full order and receipt of payment, or authorised Purchase Order where agreed credit terms exist.

If you have any questions please contact the sales office:
Phone: 0114 245 5400
Email: sales@keylink.org

Please note there is inevitably some spoilage during the set-up process (usually no more than 10 units whatever the run length) so the quantity supplied will be slightly less than the quantity invoiced.