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Flexographic Prepress Artwork Instructions and Upload Portal

Applications

  • Adobe Illustrator (preferred)
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Acrobat Pro


File Packaging

  • Final production files must be supplied as either: a Normalized PDF (NDFP) or an Adobe Illustrator file with a PDF copy
  • Include all fonts (including fonts used in linked or supporting files), or convert all type to outlines
  • Include all supporting files (for example, layered Photoshop images)
  • Package and compress all files prior to uploading to the CL&D FTP site


Submit Files

  • Name file as: customer name_item
  • Upload to CL&D's file transfer portal (FTP)
  • Use the CL&D Graphics FTP file upload link to submit everything


Bar Code Specificiations

  • CL&D Graphics reproduces all barcodes to ensure they meet our standards for quality and scanability.
    • UPC Standards
      • Minimum Size: 80%
      • Bar Width Reduction: 100 micron
      • Quiet Zone:1/8”
      • Minimum Height: 3/8”
    • Additional Guidelines
      • Barcodes are recommended to be printed in black
      • Barcode orientation may vary depending on package type
Sample Bar Codes

Layout

  • Text Minimums
    • Positive Printing: 4 point
    • Reverse Printing: 4 point and bold
  • Line Minimums
    • Positive Printing: 0.4 point
    • Reverse Printing: 0.5 point
  • Document Setup
    • Set document raster settings to high (300 ppi)
    • Remove stray points
    • Ensure white is not set to overprint
    • Ensure PMS colors are not set to 0%


Trapping

  • Use keylines to avoid color variations caused by web movement with a 2.88 point stroke when reversing through multiple colors or 4-color process
  • Trap sizes:
    • Standard: 0.01
    • Minimum: 0.007 inches.
Sample Trapping Image

Photoshop Images

  • All images must be a minimum of 300 dpi
  • Color modes accepted: CMYK, Grayscale or Duotone
  • Maintain layers when applicable
  • Clearly mark all FPO
  • Include clipping paths when four‑color process or Photoshop images are used for trapping and screening
  • Whenever possible, create drop shadows, glows, and similar effects in Illustrator rather than Photoshop


Gradients

  • Process and spot color gradients should be built as separate elements and combined using the top gradient’s appearance setting set to "Darken"

Color and Swatches

  • Four‑color process printing should be limited to images only
  • Pantone® colors are recommended for the most accurate color matching
  • The swatches palette should consist of the Pantone® Plus Coated Library

Upload Portal