If you're ordering specialty print finishes like Spot UV, Embossing, Debossing, or Foiling, it's important to set up your design files correctly. These finishes add a unique, eye-catching touch to your prints, but they require a bit more attention to detail during the file preparation process. This guide will walk you through the steps to ensure your files are ready for production, helping you achieve the perfect look for your project.
Step 1: Preparing Your CMYK Files
Start by setting up your design as you would for a standard CMYK print job. If your product requires CMYK files, follow the usual guidelines to create them. Some products, like Premium Black, won’t need CMYK files—if that's the case, you can skip this step.
Once your design is complete, export the front and back as press-ready PDFs, clearly labeling them with "Front" and "Back" in the file names. These files will only include the basic design, without any of the specialty finishes.
Example:
Step 2: Creating Separation Files
Next, you’ll need to create a black-and-white file that shows where the specialty finish will be applied. You can do this by adding a new layer, creating a new artboard, or setting up a separate file in your design program. In the example below, we’ll show you how we set up files for our popular Spot UV process:
Black Areas: These represent where the treatment (e.g., Spot UV, Foiling) will go.
White Areas: These will remain untreated.
Make sure the black you use is 100% K (K100) in CMYK. We recommend using vector-based programs like Adobe Illustrator or InDesign for best results, especially for embossing, debossing, and foiling. While you can create Spot UV files in Photoshop or other pixel-based formats, it can be trickier to get the details just right.
K100 Black
CMYK: 0, 0, 0, 100
Step 3: Export Separation
Before exporting, double-check that your separation files line up perfectly with the original CMYK artwork from Step 1. This helps ensure everything aligns correctly during the printing process.
Export each separation as a press-ready PDF, using clear and consistent file names:
Type | File Name | Example (Front) |
Spot UV | UV | Set1_Front_UV.pdf |
Emboss | EMBOSS | Set1_Front_EMBOSS.pdf |
Deboss | DEBOSS | Set1_Front_DEBOSS.pdf |
Foiling | FOIL_[colour] | Set1_Front_FOIL_Gold.pdf |
If you're using multiple treatments on one side, create separate files for each one. For example, if the front of your design includes both Spot UV and embossing, you’ll need separate files for each.
For this example, there are four files generated:
Step 4: Uploading Your Files
Once your files are ready, upload them through our order system. Be sure to include every file required for your project to avoid any delays. If you're unsure whether your file is set up correctly, make sure to select the Online PDF Proof option when placing your order. This allows us to review your file and ensure it's 100% perfect before it goes to print.
Wrapping Up
Getting your design files right is key to making sure your specialty print finishes look amazing. By following these steps, you’ll help ensure that your project turns out just the way you envision it. If you have any questions or need help along the way, our support team is always here to assist.