Finishings
Introduction
This article takes you through setting your files up for print when special finishing is required.
Templates
To help you set your files up, download the latest InDesign templates here.
Spot UV
Basics
Spot UV is a transparent varnish hardened and cured by ultraviolet light. It is a great way to add a premium look to your print. This type of coating creates a glossy effect that really makes your print stand out.
If your file has Spot UV as an additional finishing please follow the below steps on how to setup your Spot UV swatch in InDesign & Illustrator.
- Create a new swatch, and name the swatch Spot-UV (exactly like this)
- Select the colour type from the drop-down as Spot.
- Ensure the colour mode is CMYK.
- In the colour percentages make sure the colours are:
- Cyan - 0%,
- Magenta - 0%
- Yellow - 100%
- Black - 0%.
5. Press OK. Now you have created a Spot UV swatch to use.
6. Next, select the objects that you want to be printed in Spot UV and use that swatch to indicate they will be printed as Spot UV.
7. The final thing to do, is to make sure the Spot UV elements are set to overprint. To do this select the object and navigate to your Attributes panel (Window > Output > Attributes). In the panel select Overprint Fill and/or Overprint Stroke.
Spot-UV Limitations
Vectors only for Spot UV: Spot UV elements must be supplied in vector format; any text shapes to be spot-varnished must be converted to paths/outlines.
Design with a little tolerance for mis-registration: The UV varnish is applied using a screen printing process, and registration with print can vary by ±2 pt.
If you are aiming to cover a printed shape having a hard edge, then the Spot UV shape should overlap the printed edge by 2pt, to allow for any inherent variations in registration. Shapes meeting the edge of the page, should be treated like backgrounds - bleed them off the very edge of the document.
Don’t try to align fine detail: Spot UV is not suited to alignment with fine detail, such as small type, or shapes with thin lines. Avoid lines thinner than 1 mm, and avoid reversed-out lines thinner than 2 mm.
Avoid large Spot UV areas over the edge: Avoid large solid areas of Spot UV bleeding to the edge as chipping and flaking can occur once the job has been guillotined or die-cut.
Solid varnish only, no tints: Spot UV cannot be specified as a gradient or tint, i.e. a changing tint from 100% to 0% over an area of artwork.
Tip: You’ll get the best results when you don’t try to match the Spot UV to printed objects, and instead, treat it as a design element in its own right!
Cutting, Creasing & Perfing
(A.K.A Die Cutting)
Basics
If you’re looking at creating a custom die-cut product or a product with extra added finishing, you will need to indicate what and where this extra finishing will go.
There are three different swatches that indicate all the different finishings; cutting, creasing and perfing. Below are the steps on how to setup your file to indicate these finishings in InDesign & Illustrator.
- Create a new swatch, and name the swatch Cut or Crease or Perf (exactly like this).
- Set Colour Type to Spot
- Set Colour Mode to CMYK
- Colour make-up for each finishing is as below,
5. Set swatch to Overprint (Window > Output > Attributes)
How to add Cutting, Creasing & Perfing guides to your artwork
- Place your lines above your artwork using the special spot colour swatch dependent on your finishings. We recommend creating a finishing layer within your artwork, to maintain a neat and tidy file. These swatches must remain as spot colours and must not be adjusted in any way.
- All lines must be at 1pt stroke width.
- Set the finishing elements to Overprint from within the Attributes panel.
- Only place lines on the front page of your artwork. (You may do so on the reverse to help with your design, but this must be removed prior to sending your file to print).
Die-Cut Limitations
2-up artwork: Select your finishing size that you would like your shape to be cut from, then create your artwork to fit that size. “Two-up” or ‘Multi-up’ option is not available.
Minimum corner radius: The minimum corner radius on a die cut is 3mm.
Acute Die-Cut Shape and Angles: If you are designing a die-cut product that requires an acute angle i.e. Change of direction, any change of direction must be a minimum of 30 degrees.
Vectors only for Die Cut lines: Die Cut elements must be supplied in vector format.
Smallest size: You need to be able to place either one 45mm diameter circle, or two non-overlapping 30mm diameter circles within your shape.
One straight side: Your job may be supplied with the cut-out shape held within the card skeleton.
Where possible, ensure that the shape includes at least one flat side, along the usual page edge. This will allow us to guillotine the flat edge to extract the final shape and use fewer nicks around the edge of the cut-out, thus improving the final appearance of the product. Note, the straight edge will still need to be set as ‘cut’ lines.
Nicks to hold your cut-outs: To prevent a cut-out shape from ‘falling out’ of the sheet while die-cutting, we will place small nicks in the cut lines. These nicks are made with a grinding wheel.
The more straight edges that we can cut at the guillotine later, the fewer nicks required to hold the product in the sheet.
We will always use the minimum number of nicks required to keep the required shape intact until it is packed. If you wish the push out shape to remain intact during use, you should select one of the perforating options instead of a cut.
Proximity of die-cut lines: Unless it is vital to your design, make sure that cut lines do not encroach within 4mm of the edge of the page. It could impact on the finishing of your order if lines are placed within 4mm of the page edge.
Lines that end at the trim edge of the product must bleed to the edge of the artwork.
A minimum of 5mm is required between die-cut elements.
Drilling
Basics
Drilling refers to a 1 or multiple hole punches within a document, like a calendar, swing tag or pages to be inserted into a binder.
If your file has drilling as an additional finishing please follow the below steps on how to setup your Drill swatch in InDesign & Illustrator.
- Create a new swatch, and name the swatch Drill (exactly like this)
- Select the colour type from the drop-down as Spot.
- Ensure the colour mode is CMYK.
- In the colour percentages make sure the colours are:
- Cyan - 0%,
- Magenta - 0%
- Yellow - 0%
- Black - 100%.
5. Press OK. Now you have created a Drill swatch to use.
6. Next, create a 4mm solid circle using that swatch to indicate where your drill hole needs to be.
7. The final thing to do, is to make sure the Drill elements are set to overprint. To do this select the object and navigate to your Attributes panel (Window > Output > Attributes). In the panel select Overprint Fill.
Drilling Limitations
Quiet Zone - Allow at least 5mm space between drill holes and each other, the edge of the page or any other die-cut elements.
Eyelets
Basics
Eyelets are used to attach banners and signs securely to structures with the aid of rope, string or
cable ties to buildings, cars, fences etc.
If your banner has Eyelet punching as an additional finishing, please follow the below steps on how
to set up your artwork.
Please note these steps may differ if your banner is hemmed.
Eyelet Swatch
1. Create a new swatch, and name the swatch Eyelets (exactly like this)
2. Select the Colour type from the drop-down as Spot.
3. Ensure the colour mode is CMYK.
4. Choose any contrasting colour to your background artwork colour.
5. Press OK. Now you have created an Eyelets swatch to use.
Eyelet Position
To indicate the Eyelet position on your artwork, place a 25mm solid circle using the above swatch
in each location you need an eyelet.
Please note that eyelets are placed 25mm in from the edge of the banner. This is measured from the center point of the eyelet.
Eyelet Limitations
Quiet Zone - Allow at least 40mm space around the center point of the eyelet for the quiet zone.
This is to allow for the size of the eyelet, as well as movement during application.
Questions?
If you have any questions, please contact your account manager.
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