FAQ: CD & DVD Replication - Art Department
- How do I get my files to you?
- What file formats do you accept?
- I don't have my order form in yet. Can you start on my artwork proofs?
- I don't see the template I need listed on your site, how do I go about getting it?
- What are bleeds?
- What are safeties?
- I need ICON to generate a barcode for me, so I'm leaving a white box in my layout. What size should it be?
- I have a small correction I'd like to make to my artwork. Can you guys take care of that?
- What do I need to know about color mode?
- What do I need to know about image resolution?
- 4/4, 4/1? What is all this stuff?
- What do the different lines on the templates mean? Where is the cut line?
- I'm ordering a spot-color disc face, how should I supply this to you?
- I hear fonts cause big headaches sometimes. I don't like headaches; what can I do to avoid getting one?
- I'm supplying Photoshop files, should I leave them in layers or flatten them?
- What's the difference between "Black" and "Rich Black" or "CMYK Black?"
- Are there any problems I should look out for when working with Rich Black?
- How will my proof be supplied?
- What Do I need to know about my PDF proofs?
- Can I get a printed proof?
How do I get my files to you?
There are a few ways. First, you can burn your artwork files to a CD-R and send them in with your order. Or, you can upload your files to us, once your order is placed via our website. You may also upload your files via FTP at ftp.builtbyicon.com.
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What file formats do you accept?
Icon accepts the artwork in the following formats: 1. Adobe Photoshop (.PSD) 2. TIFF (.TIF) 3. Encapsulated Postscript (.EPS) 4. Adobe Illustrator (.AI) 5. QuarkXpress (.QXD) 6. Adobe InDesign (.INDD) 7. Portable Document Format (.PDF)
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I don't have my order form in yet. Can you start on my artwork proofs?
Actually, we can't. Sorry about that. We've found that this actually doesn't save any time, and is more likely to cause confusion and delays. Please get your order forms in as soon as possible, and we'll begin work on your job. As long as we have an order form, and your files, we can begin. We do not require a CD or DVD master to begin work on your proofs.
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I don't see the template I need listed on your site, how do I go about getting it?
For template requests, e-mail the ICON Art Department at graphics@builtbyicon.com. You can also give the Art Department a call at 1-866-400-ICON xtn. 14.
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What are bleeds?
Bleeds are the portion of your image that extends past the cut line. They are used to ensure continuous print off the edge during cutting. Bleeds are required for all paper printed parts. Failure to include bleeds may delay your job or cause a small white border at an edge of your printed piece.
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What are safeties?
The safety is the margin on your image where it is suggested that no live text appear. The reason is similar to that of bleeds, in that it's a failsafe against variance during the cutting stage. It's a good rule of thumb to leave at least 1/8" between any text and cut line.
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I need ICON to generate a barcode for me, so I'm leaving a white box in my layout. What size should it be?
The standard size to be left should be 1.25" x .5".
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I have a small correction I'd like to make to my artwork. Can you guys take care of that?
ICON is more than happy to take care of small changes to your artwork before proofs are made. If we have all the materials we need to do so, there will be no additional charge for modifications of this nature. We're here to help.
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What do I need to know about color mode?
All full color images need to be composed in "CMYK." All black and white or grayscale images should be composed in "grayscale."
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What do I need to know about image resolution?
All raster images submitted to ICON should be 300 dots per inch (DPI) at full size.
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4/4, 4/1? What is all this stuff?
Indications like 4/4 and 4/1 (commonly pronounced "four over four" and "four over one") refer to the number of colors on each side of a printed piece. 4/4 refers to a printed piece where four colors – generally CMYK – are printed on both sides. Generally, 4/1 refers to a printed piece where CMYK is printed on one side, while black (grayscale) is printed on the other.
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What do the different lines on the templates mean? Where is the cut line?
The cut line is the solid red line. It is where your final printed piece will be cut.
The bleed line is the dashed red line. It extends around the cut line. While the bleed will not appear on your finished piece, your image or background color should extend to this line.
The safety line is the dashed pink line. This line is located inside the cut line. No text should extend past this line.
The dotted and dashed red line represents the fold. It's where we will fold your final printed piece.
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I'm ordering a spot-color disc face, how should I supply this to you?
If you are using Adobe Illustrator, please set your file up with the spot colors you'd like in the document. Please use the Pantone Coated Library. Indicate whether or not you require a white flood.
If you are using Adobe Photoshop, please set up each spot color as a different layer. You may either pick Pantone Coated colors, or we can use the Photoshop color picker to approximate the Pantone Coated equivalent of your CMYK color.
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I hear fonts cause big headaches sometimes. I don't like headaches; what can I do to avoid getting one?
If you are using Photoshop to design your entire layout, rasterizing your text layers will avoid any font problems. However, very small text may appear jagged. This is why many people prefer to lay text out as vector data.
If you are using Illustrator, we recommend converting all your text to outlines (sometimes called "curves.")
If you are using Quark or InDesign, supply ALL fonts used in the layout. Failure to do so may result in delays.
To avoid problems, and obtain the best possible result, we recommend the following. Create all of your type in Illustrator. Before sending your files off to press, convert your type to outlines.
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I'm supplying Photoshop files, should I leave them in layers or flatten them?
When supplying Photoshop files it is best leave them in layers. If any minor modifications to bleed, safety, etc. are required, it's easiest for us to have the ability to work with your file's layers.
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What's the difference between "Black" and "Rich Black" or "CMYK Black?"
When printing in full color CMYK, percentages of all four colors are often used to create a richer looking black. A common configuration of percentages is as follows:
Cyan – 75%
Magenta – 68%
Yellow – 67%
BlacK – 90%
A standard black would simply be 100% Black, with the other colors all printing 0%.
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Are there any problems I should look out for when working with Rich Black?
A common problem we see with supplied artwork files has to do with the percentages on each of the four colors being too high. The accepted rule of thumb is that the total of all four percentages should never exceed 300% at any given point.
Here's an example of what NOT to do:
Cyan – 100%
Magenta – 99%
Yellow – 95%
BlacK – 100%
This combination of colors leaves too much ink on the page. The result is a muddy, often unclear image. Designers should pay close attention when composing the image, not to use colors that approach these values. It is extremely important to stay at or under 300%.
If you have already composed your image and there are areas that total over 300%, give us a call and we'll take a look to see if there is anything we can do to help. We have a few tricks for evening everything out, without causing drastic color changes.
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How will my proof be supplied?
ICON employs Computer to Plate (CTP) technology. This allows us to skip time consuming and costly production of film. As a result, we are able to supply you press accurate proofs via Adobe PDF. PDF proofs are placed on the web for your approval.
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What Do I need to know about my PDF proofs?
Be sure to check over your proofs carefully. Look for any issues with fonts, placement, bleeds and safeties, missing images, color, etc. These files were generated directly from your files, but your careful consideration in reviewing them is needed to make sure no problems occurred.
After your approval, these files will go to print. ICON cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions not brought to our attention during the proofing stage. Any customer alterations resulting from errors and omissions from original customer files may incur additional design time charges.
Due to variations in home computer monitor settings, color PDF proofs may not represent colors exactly. If you wish, you may request a printed SWOP proof, which will more accurately display final printed colors. Contact your customer representative for pricing.
Delays in furnishing approval will result in delays in your order.
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Can I get a printed proof?
We have the ability to run printed proofs, please get in touch with your sales representative for more information and a price quote.
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