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Graphics / Prepress
ALG offers a full range of prepress capabilities, from initial design and layout to finished product. With our Mac based electronic prepress system we are able to provide high quality, service, and quick turnaround.
Services Available
• Custom design and layout
• Proof turnaround in 2 working days or less on most jobs
• Bar Codes in many major symbologies
• Technical support for file submission
• Language translation services
• Digital Print consecutive numbering capabilities in liaison with our Flexo presses
• File pre flight & preparation specifically geared towards flexographic, screen, or digital printing.
How to Supply Files
ALG is able to receive artwork via email, CD, DVD or ftp upload/download. It is recommended that large files be compressed for emailing.
ALG suggests that art files be vector based & created in an application such as Adobe Illustrator. This type of file is better suited for flexographic/ screen print artwork creation & prepress production.
We fully support files generated in the following applications:
• Adobe Illustrator CS3
• Adobe InDesign CS3
• Adobe Photoshop CS3 (reserved for 4 color process printing)
All artwork submitted is subject to a preflight inspection process to determine if the art is suitable for printing and to identify any potential printing issues. Art formats not supported may also require additional time to convert to a useable format.
The following artwork guidelines are suggestions that will quicken the production of your order and prevent a need for additional work. Each order is treated individually, and we are happy to customize artwork requests whenever possible.
- It is recommended that all text & layout be composed in Adobe Illustrator.
- Please turn all fonts to outlines. This assures that text will not re-flow, fonts will not be missing & artwork is complete.
- If a 4-color process label has any placed or embedded graphics please supply those support files in addition to your layout file. Any such images should be supplied at 300 dpi at final scale.
- All art elements must maintain 1/16” distance from label edge.
- Any art elements that bleed off label edge should have no less than 5 points (0.0694”) of (outside) bleed.
- Please set art files up at 100%
- Use spot colors whenever possible instead of cmyk (for cleaner printing)
- Indicate Pantone spot colors (Indicate any printing white on label)
- Indicate finished label size
- Minimum text size is for 5 pt regular print & 6 pt for reverse (avoid reversing small serif type if possible) There is a 9 pt minimum for text that a reverses out of 4 color process.
- Minimum stroke size .5 pt regular & 1 pt reverse (Keep in mind we trap with 1 pt for flexo & 2 pt for screen printing)
- There is no need to pre-trap files before supplying to ALG
Screens and Halftones
• Standard screen: 133 lpi for flexo, 65lpi for screen
• Screen angle: 90˚ for flexo, 62.5˚ for screen
• Minimum dot: 2% for flexo, 9% for screen
• Maximum Screen: 150lpi for flexo; 85lpi for screen Proofs
Proofing is a critical step in assuring you receive your product to your specifications. The following are the proofing methods available to meet your needs:
• PDF-files
• Color or black & white laser Jet proofs
• Color transparency proofs
• Black on clear film proofs
• Epson match prints for accurate 4 color process proofing. |
