Preparing Artwork
Artwork for flexographic printing has different requirements than for offset
or digital printing. So before you progress too far on your artwork we recommend
you contact us to
discuss your intentions. We will advise you or provide you access to Charta's
Artwork Manual. This will explain the finer details. The Artwork Manual is
regularly updated to incorporate new developments.
Following is a general guide to artwork requirements.
Most art prepared by art houses is for smaller items than cases which means
we usually need to enlarge the file when we receive it. For files in bitmap
formats (PDF, GIFF, TIFF, PNG, JPEG, EPS) the enlargement is unsuitable for
printing as the pixels become visible creating a jagged or pixelated look.
Vector format files (Illustrator and Freehand)
are the best and preferred formats for high quality
reproduction. Such files are described in geometric terms which preserve curves,
lines and colour fills through enlargement.
When specifying colours please use PMS references.
Use CMYK for full colour illustration production.
For multiple colour work, including CMYK, allowance must be allowed for
"trapping" - the overlay of inks where they contact each other. Charta will
advise you on this.
The dpi screen requirements vary according to the nature of the design
elements. Generally the range is 85 - 115. Charta will advise you according to
your design.
Charta works to the fine registration tolerance of 1.0 mm. (The corrugated
packaging industry standard is 2 - 3 mm.) This means we successfully reproduce
intricate design and full colour illustrations from photographic or graphic
sources.
Sans serif fonts reproduce most successfully.
We advise against serif fonts except in very large point sizes: minimum
recommended point size for serif fonts is 10 pt. Also, in the interests of
quality reproduction, we advise against outline fonts.