Seattle's source for quality duplication, replication, design and packaging services.
Other manufacturers may have sizing specifications and artwork requirements that do not match ours. Due to this we require that your design files conform to our specifications and requirements as noted herein. Failure to do so may delay the start date of your order and its completion date.
To avoid compatibility issues caused by different computer platforms, software and font types, we require that:
We recommend the use of Adobe design programs - FREE 30 day trials can be downloaded from www.adobe.com.
Failure to understand the difference between CMYK and RGB can lead to disappointing print results. If you are not experienced in designing for commercial grade printing please make note of the following:
Computer monitors, digital cameras, scanners and many computer-printers use the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) color mode to display images. The RGB colors are combined together in varying amounts to provide a much larger range of colors for viewing purposes.
Commercial full-color printing companies use the CMYK printing process and inks. Most of the colors displayed by your RGB computer monitor (and printer) can be duplicated in the CMYK printing process... but not all. This can cause variations between the colors you view on your screen (in RGB) and what will actually print (in CMYK). Additionally, it is important to note that the images displayed on your RGB computer monitor are displayed through the generation of light, thus, very vibrant colors can be created. Images printed onto the paper and plastics used in manufacturing your order are viewed by the human eye through the reflection of light off the product's surface. The result is that vibrant RGB colours printed onto paper or plastic in the CMYK process appear less vibrant (duller) than the images you view on your computer monitor.
Be aware that the color display on your computer monitor is not likely to be 'true'. Calibrating your monitor for design in CMYK provides a better representation of the true print colors on the screen so that there is less variation between the colors you see on the screen compared to what is printed. Though color calibration improves the accuracy of the color display, the monitor is still not going to be 100% accurate. Additionally, many consumer-level computer printers work in the RGB color mode so there may be a variation in the way some colors are represented on your paper print compared to what will actually print in CMYK.
1. Your design page properties must be set to 300dpi (dots per inch).
2. Your design page must be set to the CMYK color mode (not RGB).
3. All bitmaps should be 300dpi and supplied in either CMYK or Grayscale as applicable.
4. Processing/saving your bitmap images as .TIF files will produce better results than .JPG or .GIF.
5. Acceptable tonal range for gradients/screens is between 15% and 85% - tones outside that range may not print.
6. Always allow at least 1/8” (3mm) of bleed past the finished edges of the design.
7. Don’t crowd the finished edge of your design with text and imagery unless it actually bleeds off the edge of the design. We recommend leaving a minimum gap of 1/4" (6mm) space.
8. Artwork files for stapled booklets are to be supplied in PRINTER SPREAD
FORMAT [pdf download].
9. Delete all images, text and/or layers that are not required in the design.
10. Name your files so they can be easily identified (eg: traycard_cover.eps).
11. Indicate whether your CD/DVD disc artwork requires a white flood/backprint.
12. Minimum recommended type size for positive print: 5 points
13. Minimum recommended type size for reversed print: 6 points
14. IF USING PHOTOSHOP: Because text tends to be pixelated when included in bitmap images, we highly recommend that Photoshop be used to process images but not for typesetting. For best results it is preferable to export images from Photoshop as .TIF files and then typeset in a program such as Illustrator or InDesign.
15. For spot color screenprinting - the design must be color-separable. It is recommended that each individual color is designed on a separate design layer.
16. For spot color screenprinting - best results come from line-art graphics and text. Bitmap images tend to be more jagged in appearance.
17. For screenprinted discs - refrain from using transparencies, gradients and screens in your design. When screenprinted, anything less than 100% solid color will print as a dot pattern and will not have the consistent and smooth appearance that you see on your computer monitor.
18. For spot color screenprinting you must specify Pantone Matching System (PMS) Solid-Coated colour numbers. The PMS designation is “C”.
19. Leave the design template in the design for our visual reference but ensure it is on its own layer. Never flatten the design template into the artwork.
20. Convert all text to outlines/paths. If using Photoshop please rasterize all text layers.
21. Save/export your designs as .EPS or high-resolution .PDF files. If you must use Photoshop as your only design program please supply your files as .PSD.
22. If you are designing using linked images please supply those images in a separate folder.
23. Place all of your relevant design files/folders into one folder. Name the folder with your Job Number and Project Name.
24. MAC Users - Use ‘Stuffit’ to compress your design folder. Name this file with your Job Number and Project Name.
25. PC Users – Use ‘Winzip’ to compress your design folder. Name this file with your Job Number and Project Name.
26. Submit your design file on CDR or contact us for uploading instructions.
27. Your supplied artwork files are expected to be ready-to-print without changes or modifications being required. Realtime provides three proofing options as noted below.
*PROOF OPTION “A” – Electronic Proofs
*PROOF OPTION “B” – Hard-Copy Printed Proofs
PROOF OPTION “C” – Pre-Approved
28. IMPORTANT: View your .PDF proofs with Adobe Acrobat and ensure the “Overprint Preview” function is turned on.
29. THE PURPOSE OF THE PROOF is to give you one last chance to review the design for overall accuracy and completeness of the design components before it goes to print. Any errors or omissions that you do not correct in the proofing stage will be present in the finished product.
30. It is the sole responsibility of the client to review all details of the supplied proof, which includes (but is not limited to) layout/design, page sequencing, dimensions, spelling, and punctuation.
31. In order to proceed with production the client must submit written approval of the proofs via fax or e-mail. A specific and clearly worded approval is required (ie: “Proofs are approved for printing”). Verbal approval cannot be accepted.
32. By providing an approval in writing, the client indemnifies and holds the vendor free from responsibility and liability for any errors or omissions in the proofs that are not found and corrected by the client. Furthermore, the client acknowledges that the reworking and/or reprinting of materials due to client error is at the sole expense of the client. Such costs will be formally quoted in writing and must be approved by the client in writing before any additional work can take place.
33. IMPORTANT: The requirement for revisions or for the supply of new artwork files may delay your order.
34. As noted herein customer-supplied artwork files must be supplied in final form (ready to print without revisions). If revisions or new artwork files are required after proofs have been generated, the Pre-Press and Proofing process must begin again. Due to the work involved additional charges may be incurred by the client (except in instances where the required change to the proof is due to the vendor’s error in generating the proof).
35. Electronic proofs are never to be used to evaluate color accuracy because computer monitors typically don’t represent color values accurately. If color correctness is a concern you must request hard-copy printed proofs for final approval (see Proof Option “B” as noted above). Due to variations inherent with offset printing processes, a color variation of up to 5-10% between the printed-paper proofs and the final printed product may be unavoidable and this is considered to be within acceptable industry tolerances.
36. For orders that proceed based on Proof Option “A” (electronic proofs only – not to be used for color evaluation) the client-supplied designs will go to print based on the color values as supplied in the imagery.
37. For Spot Color Screenprinting: Client’s must specify Pantone Solid Coated (“C”) color values. Colors will be mixed according to the PMS color value formula and cross-referenced to the PMS Solid Coated reference guide.
38. For CMYK Disc Printing: A client-supplied sample print (on disc or on paper) can be accepted for CMYK color reference, but an exact CMYK color match cannot be guaranteed. For color warranty you must request Proof Option “B”.
39. For Gang-Run CMYK Print: Client-supplied samples cannot be used for color reference on gang-run CMYK printed materials. For color warranty you must request Proof Option “B”.
40. IMPORTANT: We strongly recommend that you do not (A) schedule the release of your product, (B) book a product release event, or (C) schedule a trip or tour, prior to receiving your product. Every effort will be made to fill orders within the timeline quoted at the outset of the project, however, quoted ready-by-dates are to be considered estimates only and are not guaranteed. Though uncommon, delays can occur and the vendor assumes no responsibility for any damages growing out of or owing to any delays.
41. Place your barcode in a 1 1/4" X 1/2" white box, in a spot of your choice on the traycard or back panel of your cardstock product.
NOTE: REALTIME manufactures some products in Canada. U.S. Customs regulations require that we indicate this on all packaging. We will add a very discreet "Made in Canada" on the backside of certain printed materials (usually in a lower corner, under the barcode).
for shortrun ("burned") CDR & DVDR on-disc label printing
Please provide as a 300-dpi TIFF with a crosshair in the middle for alignment, setup in "Short run CDR & DVDR" template (do not include template keylines). For best results, avoid large swaths of solid black and fine-screened halftone images in your design (see examples).
Please provide as a 300-dpi PDF with a crosshair in the middle for alignment, setup in "Short run CDR & DVDR" template (do not include template keylines). Prices are for artwork with average coverage of 20% (full-surface solid coverage will incur extra charges).
(2 & 4-page configurations only)
Please provide as production-ready 300 dpi PDFs, setup with proper crop/perf. marks visible and 1/8" bleeds. Do not embed template keylines in your final production PDFs.
[CONTACT US FOR EXAMPLES OF CORRECT LAYOUTS]
Shortrun Templates - download