File Setup - Adobe Illustrator
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Layer 1: Name this layer "Artwork" - place your finished full color artwork here.
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Layer 2: Name this "Thru-cut" - place thru cut line here. This is the outer outline of your sticker that indicates how the individual sticker or finished product will be cut. Place this last in the Layers list. This must be offset from the kiss-cut line by a minimum of 0.2".
Safety Margin
Text and images should be away from the trim edge by a minimum of 0.05".
Bleed
Bleed is the artwork that extends past the trim line or finished size of your product. If any element of your artwork is designed to be printed to the edge, it must be extended past the trim line and into the bleed area by a minimum of 0.05" on each edge.
The addition of bleed compensates for uncontrollable shifts that occur during the printing and trimming process; and ensures that any content touching the edges does not leave unwanted gaps or borders.
Cut Line
The stroke of the thru-cut line must be a minimum of 0.25pt.
Fine Detail
The finest detail we recommend is 0.5pt line-weight; however, please note that light colors or lines that are not solid (such as dotted lines) should be made thicker.
Color
Artwork can be supplied in CMYK or RGB.
Image Resolution
All images should be 300 PPI or higher (at 100%).
See: Image Quality
File Format
Our preferred file format is PDF.
White Print
By default, we offer CMYK digital printing which consists of cyan, yellow, magenta and black inks. When supplying your print-ready design files or viewing a PDF proof, the white areas are considered transparent - they represent the sticker stock you chose.
White ink is available on our Super Matte Transparent and Super Gloss Transparent stocks only, which can be ordered from our White Ink Stickers page. Unless one of these stocks or the specialty ink, White Ink, is selected, then your stickers will only be printed in CMYK. Note that these are only available as individual stickers or on sticker sheets. See: How do I prepare files with white or metallic ink?