AMS - Resources

General

• All full colour artwork should be saved in CMYK profile at a minimum of 300dpi.
• Artwork intended for digital printing should include a minimum Bleed of 3mm.
• Send your artwork on a separate disc to your master, clearly label both discs appropriately. Include your name and the date.
• We prefer EPS files or high res PDFs. Illustrator and Photoshop files are also acceptable, but must be backward compatible to Version 10 or below.
  
• Ensure that all fonts are outlined.
  
• Please send a colour printed proof of each artwork file. Keep in mind that your printer may not provide an accurate colour print. Similarly, computer monitors are not reliable for colour accuracy. If colour matching is important, quote a Pantone number for reference or indicate that the colour proof supplied is for colour matching. Should colour matching be important to you, EPS is the most ideal format to work from.

Tips:

• For offset printing, the minimum printable type size is 5pt. For reversed out text, larger type size is preferable. For screen printing, the minimum type size is 6pt.
• Any line artwork should have lines at a minimum width of 0.5mm. Again, prferably larger for reversed out lines.
• Bleed is an extra 3mm of background fill/image for every edge that is to be trimmed.
• Extra extra bleed is appreciated if we are printing laser labels.
• Bleed is not required for disc face artwork that is for offset or screen printing.
• A resolution of 300dpi is absolutely necessary. Ensure that any linked or embedded images are also at 300dpi.
  

CD Face Artwork

For small runs, we print laser labels or straight to disc using inkjet printing. Laser labels require extra bleed due to movement when printing, so be sure to keep all essential elements in your design (e.g. text) well within the borders of the template.

For runs of over 500, we print to disc through either a screen or offset printing process. For best results please consider the points below when creating your design.

• Unless you specify a white base, the base colour of your CD will be silver, which will give less contrast than your paper visual.
• Your paper visual will generally be printed at a higher resolution than can be used for screen printing.
• Do not include Bleed in your Cd Face artwork. (Always include Bleed in paper part artwork)
  
• Include registration marks and key lines on separate layers.
• Please note that not all discs allow for printing to the centre stacking ring.
• Graduated tints can sometimes 'band' causing an obvious step from light to dark.
• Spot colour tints generally require a white base for best results. If printing on silver, expect less contrast.
• If we are running film for you: Ideally, your artwork needs to be an EPS file. Outline all fonts.
  
• Include all original graphics used in the design.
• Run out a black & white laser of each colour separation and send this with a colour proof.
• Images should be in CMYK format for full colour jobs, otherwise artwork should use spot colours.
• Prior to running films we can, at your request, proof your artwork via an emailed PDF.
  
  Important: We accept no responsibility for any variation between your digital artwork and eventual film output. If colour matching is essential, a sample CD proof can be inspected for sign off. This service will incur extra charges.