How do I prepare files with white ink?

If you are ordering Super Gloss Transparent or Super Matte Transparent stickers with white ink, it is imperative that your files are set up properly. The instructions below are for Adobe Illustrator.

Step 1: Create Spot Colors

A couple notes before you get started:

• The names and values need to be input exactly for the correct color to be printed.
• Ensure the fill of the artwork is the desired color, and the stroke is no fill. 

White Ink

For designs with white ink, create a new spot color as listed below and apply it to your your artwork:  Swatch Name: WHITE Color Type: Spot Color Color Mode: CMYK Color Values: 25/25/25/25

Step 2: Apply the Spot Colors

After you create the required spot colors, apply the spot color to the respective artwork.

Step 3: Review Layers

Make sure your artwork and cutlines are in the proper layers. It is important for the layer names and order to be as follows:

1. "Artwork" - place your finished full color / CMYK artwork here. The spot colors are in two separate layers within the Artwork layer.
   • "White" - place the white parts of your artwork here.
     
     
2. "Kiss-Cut" - place kiss cut line here. This is the inner outline of your sticker that takes the shape of your logo / design (after it is peeled off the backing). It should be contained entirely within the through cut line and the layer should also appear before the through cut line.
   
   
3. "Thru-Cut" - place through 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.

Step 4: Save as a PDF

Saved the finished design as a PDF.

A few notes: 

• If your sticker will not be kiss cut, then your file will not need a kiss-cut cutline or layer.

• Margins - The through cut line should be offset from the kiss cut line by a minimum of 0.2".

• 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 0.1".  

• Cut Lines - The stroke of the kiss cut line and through 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.

• Image Resolution - All images should be 300 PPI or higher (at 100%). See: Image Quality