Packaging prepress instructions are an essential aspect of the packaging design and manufacturing process. Following the guidelines and specifications are crucial for proper printing and manufacturing of packaging materials.
Guidelines and recommendations
- We accept PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4 files
- Document size is set to final print size (die line size)
- Bleed at least 2 mm
- Image resolutions 300 dpi
- CMYK or grayscale or SPOT colours (no RGB colours in objects or images)
- Max ink coverage 300% (depends on colour profile)
- For deeper black effect for larger objects, we suggest using rich black colour combination C=50 M=40 Y=40 K=100
- All fonts are included/embedded or outlined
- Use 8 point or bigger texts (or text height more than 2 mm, or minimum line width more than 0.3 mm)
- Small black texts and objects with overprint and 100K (not rich black)
- No overprint for light text or object over darker background
- Important texts/graphics are at least 2 mm from technical lines
- Barcodes 100K or preferably in single colour.
- All postpress finishing elements (foiling, cut lines, crease, spotUV etc.) should be on separate layer or as a spot colour
- Filenames should contain design name, product type and measurements, version number and client design code (if available) and by double-sided prints also information about the sides (outside and inside), for example:
00561-1_FishBox-Box_105x105x195_v2_outside.pdf
00561-1_FishBox-Box_105x105x195_v2_inside.pdf - In case the double-sided print files are sent as a single file, the designs should be on separate pages. The outer side should be on page 1, marked as ‘outside’ and the inner side on page 2, marked as ‘inside’.
- If colour matching is essential, please provide contract proof, printed sample or colorimetric values of the colours. Direct colours specified according to Pantone scale.
- Recommended colour profile for cartons and flexo is ISO Coated v2 / FOGRA 39.
Guidelines for EAN barcodes
Here are guidelines for the dimensions of barcodes: see the EAN13 Barcode Image Specifications.
Additional packaging guidelines
Here some useful links from ECMA (European Carton Makers Association)
Page of Tehnical Guidelines: https://www.ecma.org/publications/technical-guidelines.html (direct link to the brochure).
Page of Braille Guidelines: https://www.ecma.org/publications/ecma-braille-guidelines.html (direct link to the brochure.)
Common printing specifications
- Packagings are printed by common sheet-fed offset LED- or Hg-UV printing technology (aka litho).
- Possibilities for finishing: WB/UV varnish, spot colours, metallic colours etc. Ask for more.
- Max. colours: CMYK + 4 spot colours or up to 8 spot colours.
- Print sequence: black, cyan, magenta, yellow, Pantone/special 1, Pantone/special 2.
- Screening: ABS round 175 lpi.
- Screen angles: cyan 15°, magenta 75°, yellow 0°, black 45°, spot colours 45°.
- Minimum dot: 1% prints as 1%; maximum dot 99% prints as 99%.
Samples produced with the Demo printing machine
It’s important to note that samples produced with the Demo printing machine are intended for reference purposes only and may not accurately reflect the print impression or tonality of the final production equipment. These samples are not manufactured to printing standards, and therefore, we cannot guarantee that the sample and the final product will appear similar.
Need more help?
If you have any questions about the prepress recommendations or you need more detailed explanation, feel free to contact us at info@kroonpak.com.
