If you need further help or don’t see an answer to your question, contact the prepress department at prepress@rppsplash.com.
If you need help deciding on what stock or any other sales-related questions, contact us at sales@rppsplash.com.
Most frequent questions and answers
Native Illustrator or InDesign files work best. A high-resolution PDF generated from Illustrator, InDesign, also works.
- Visit the How-To section for more information on setting up your files on our Prepress Checklist.
It is best to send your files through a file transfer service, i.e., Dropbox, Google Drive, box.com, wetransfer.com. If you use an FTP site, be sure to email the link to your sales rep and prepress@rppsplash.com
- Visit the How-To section for more information on setting up your files on our Prepress Checklist.
When creating your label document in Illustrator, your artboard size must be the size of your finished dieline or trim size.
For example, if you have a 4″ x 4″ finished label size, your artboard must be 4″ x 4″.
If you have a custom shaped dieline, the measurement that is the largest in Width and the largest in Height is the size of your artboard.
The printing industry standard is 300 DPI. Your files need to originate at 300 dpi. Changing a low-resolution file to a high-resolution file after being created does not make it high resolution.
- Visit the How-To section for more information on setting up your files on our Prepress Checklist.
- For more information on image resolution visit https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/image-size-resolution.html
Yes. PMS (Pantone Matching System) colors will need to be indicated as such. Do not convert them to CMYK if you intend to print them as a spot color.
- Visit the How-To section for more information on setting up your files on our Prepress Checklist.
- For more information on how to edit colors, visit https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/using-creating-swatches.html
Yes. We have the best white ink in the flexo printing business with just one pass. Many other flexo printers have to do a double or triple bump of white ink, adding unnecessary expense.
- For more information on how to edit colors, visit https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/using-creating-swatches.html
- Visit the How-To section for more information on setting up a White Ink Layer.
Yes, to both questions. Specifying what needs to print as white is required. We recommend using a different “spot” color that you are not using in the file and change the name to “white ink.”
Adding a separate layer for the white ink is recommended.
- For more information on how to create a new color, visit https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/using-creating-swatches.html
- For more information on how to create, use and edit layers visit https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/how-to/ai-layers-basics.html
- Visit the How-To section for more information on setting up a White Ink Layer.
Yes, this will need to be on a separate layer and color in your native file. Like a white layer, we recommend using a different “spot” color that you are not using in the file and changing the name to “Spot Varnish.”
This also needs to be on a separate layer.
- For more information on how to create a new color, visit https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/using-creating-swatches.html
- For more information on how to create, use and edit layers visit https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/how-to/ai-layers-basics.html
Yes. All images, illustrations, and elements need to be in CMYK. Many colors can change dramatically in the conversion process and have an unexpected outcome.
- Visit the How-To section for more information on setting up your files on our Prepress Checklist.
- For more information on how to edit colors, visit https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/using-creating-swatches.html
Yes. Outlined fonts are preferred. However, you can “package” the fonts and images in Illustrator and InDesign. Just make sure you include packaged fonts when uploading your files.
- Read our How-To, What the font? for more information on fonts.
- Visit the How-To section for more information on setting up your files on our Prepress Checklist.
- For more information on how to package your fonts and files, visit https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/using/package-files.html
Yes. Any serif or script font below 10 pt printed in white or reversed out of a dark background can fill in. Adding a .1 pt stroke to the text in the same color or using a bold font will help with readability.
Yes. Dielines are critical to getting the exact size, shape, and radius. Please include it on a separate layer.
If your file size is the same size as the finished die cut, size still include it in your file. We need to know what size the corner radius should be.
Generally, we recommend at least 1/8″ (.125). On smaller labels, it’s your preference. We don’t recommend a square cut unless there is no other option. Get the Corner Radius Guide here.
Rewind is the way your label is positioned on the roll and how it comes off the roll. Your labeler equipment will require the labels to come off the roll in a specific way. See your equipment guide. Based on the illustration, you will let us know which rewind you need. Get the Flexo Rewind Guide here.
This depends on your project.
- If your project has any liquid, i.e., water, oil, drink, chemical, etc., you need to use film (BOPP).
- If your project contains pills, powder, or other product that is not liquid, you can use either a paper stock or a film (BOPP).
- If your project is squeezable, i.e., toothpaste, hand lotion, or something similar, you need to use a comformable (BOPP) stock.
If your project involves liquid of any kind, we highly recommend a laminate. The look and feel you are trying to achieve will also determine the type of topcoat you use.
Industry standard is 10% over/under unless otherwise specified by you.
No. All of our labels are custom printed and die cut.
See our sustainability page for more information.