Art Requirements

If you are creating your own artwork, Technigraph can provide a deco template that shows the decorating live area of the container to which either screen printing or pressure sensitive labels can be applied. All pressure-sensitive label stock must be supplied by the customer ready to apply. If you are using a plastic bottle or jar manufactured by Alpha Packaging, you can check its library of online deco templates.

Artwork can be received electronically at timtschumper@technigraph.net. The artwork will be manipulated and prepared for screening by our Graphics Department. Pre-production proofs of the processed file will be drafted and routed via e-mail for the customer’s final review and approval. We require our customers to carefully review and approve each proof document with signature and date, and return each approved document to Technigraph. Note: No project will be started until the customer has approved and returned approved proofs to Technigraph.

Graphic Arts Department Design and System Protocol

Contact Information
If you have any questions about how to prepare art files, or what software and file formats are compatible with Technigraph’s production protocol, please contact Tim Tschumper:

Tim Tschumper - Art Director/Manager
e-mail: timtschumper@technigraph.net
phone: 507-454-3830 @ extension 230

Macintosh System
OSX 10.5 Leopard

Accepted Media

• CD/DVD
• Attachments via E-Mail (files under 20MB)
• Client Based FTP Download (please contact Tim Tschumper for FTP access)

Primary Design Software

• ADOBE CS5 (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop)
• Acrobat Professional 9.5.0

Design Software Settings

• Layering
  • Accurate layering is recommended when possible, where applicable.
• Colors: Swatch Use; Assignment
  • Individual document color setting to be CMYK; no RGB.
  • Spot colors only! Accurate color assignment required for separation.
  • Delete any/all unused swatches in color palette.
• Attributes
  • OVERPRINT applied to overlapping graphics unless a knock-out or trapping is required.
• Fonts
  • Adobe Illustrator files preferred with all type as outlines (paths).
  • Live type requires complete font sets to accompany master file.
  • Minimum point size: 3.5 pt San Serif; 4.0 pt Serif; 4.0 all others.
• Document Linked Image Support Files
  • Original images are required and must accompany final production file(s).
• Rules/Line Weight
  • .35 point minimum; .50 point recommended.

Secondary Software

• Stuff It Deluxe 9.0
• Norton Anti-Virus 11.0
• Safari
• Mail 3.0
• FileZilla (FTP)
• Extensis Suitcase FUSION 12.1.7

Screen Print Color/Color Registration: + - .031 - .062"

• Determined by container shape, material, quality and design.
• Graphics & registration must comply with determined tolerance.

Pressure Sensitive Label Application Tolerance: + - .031 - .062"

• Determined by container and label shape, material, quality and design.
• Preliminary “on line” label testing prior to production may be required.

UPC Standards: GS1

• UPCs must comply with GS1 Industry Standards. For information, visit http://www.gs1.org/productssolutions/barcodes/
• Customer to provide complete UPC number F.P.O. in layout or in slug/legend (see note).
  • Magnification below 80% is not recommended or performance guaranteed.
  • Adequate Quiet Zone required for all bar codes and formats.
  • Truncation, below 70% of nominal size, not recommended.
    NOTE: Digital master UPC symbols will be ordered by Technigraph for proper format and adjustment. UPC cost per item will be added when pre-press billing is generated.
• Technigraph will not be held responsible or liable for performance related issues resulting from UPCs in violation of GS1 Standards/Guidelines, printer, container limitations or other uncontrollable conditions. Instances where such UPCs are used, Technigraph clients/customers are required to sign, date and return a “Non-Conforming UPC Release of Liability” prior to production. This document will be kept on file for future reference.

Gradients/Tints/Halftones: Conditional and Controlled

• Gradients images reproduction limited to image resolution & quality.
• Adjustment to image values may be necessary to improve printing process and physical properties to obtain desired affect; appearance.
• Lines per Inch (LPI) Standard: 100 Line Maximum.
• Dot Range: 10% - 90% (positive dots less than 49% recommended to tints). Note: dots with values of 0-9% and 91-99% may not reproduce consistently.
• Stochastic (Random Dot) available but limited to pixel spot size. This process not recommended or guaranteed for consistent reproduction.

Design, Error Correction / Pre-Flight / Pre-Press Charges

• Rates range for $65.00 per hour to $100.00 per hour in minimum “one half-hour” increments. Conditional.

Printers Disclaimer: Technigraph reserves the right to limit, edit or amend any portion of this preliminary protocol. Primary standards are subject to further review and/or advisement where a concern of quality is determined, to include but not limited to, unprinted ware condition & shape, transit method, storage, graphic design & complexity, pre-press, decorating process and/or other physical, environmental or other concern. Additional limits and restrictions can result without notice.