How should I prepare my artwork files for cassette production?
Cassette Artwork Guidelines
Please download the art templates from here. Align your design within the template specifications. Kindly delete the template lines when you submit your art. Our partners at National Audio Company have provided detailed submission instructions listed below.
In order your artwork to print properly on the cassette shell, and for J-Cards and O-Cards to fit correctly, it is necessary for you to use the templates supplied by Qrates. Failing to do so can cause considerable production delays.
- AI, EPS, PDF, PSD, JPEG and TIFF files are acceptable (CS6-compatible or lower).
- We recommend using Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop to place your artwork into the templates. In Illustrator, convert all fonts to outlines. In Photoshop, select text layers and “Convert to Shape”. (Some text and layer effects may be lost when converting to paths, but most special effects — like drop shadow, emboss or glow effects — will not print well on cassette shells.) InDesign can be used by placing the Illustrator PDF on a layer and building art in front of it.
- Your package inserts are laser printed in NAC’s graphics department on high-end equipment. J-CARDS can be full-color (CMYK) both sides, and O-CARDS full-color outside. They are then scored and assembled with your imprinted or labeled cassettes. Quantities larger than 2,000 may be sent for offset litho printing. This adds some time to the expected delivery date.
- For sharpness in reproduction, keep your J-CARD and O-CARD image resolution high enough for detail – a minimum of 300 ppi, preferably 600 ppi. Text layers maintain their best quality if converted to vector shapes. In every case, follow the boundaries on the template to leave margins for your critical art elements. Please extend background colors or images to the “Bleed Lines” outside the cut lines where the cards will be trimmed.
- Eliminate unused layers in files or flatten the artwork EXCLUDING THE LINES OF THE TEMPLATE if they contact the art. Hiding the template before flattening prevents the template lines from becoming part of your artwork.
- Flattening text into your image in Photoshop may result in compromised print quality. To retain smooth lines in your Photoshop text and avoid missing font issues, use “Convert to Shape” on your text layers to convert them to paths. Be aware that some effects on text layers will be lost with this method. If sending a flattened image (JPEG, TIFF, etc.), be sure your art file is kept at the original resolution of the template or greater – 600 ppi for JCards and labels, 1200 ppi for imprints.
- For best legibility, use font sizes no smaller than 6 pt. Lines in your text or graphics that have a thickness of less than approximately 0.5 points (approximately 0.2 mm) may not print, and gaps smaller than this thickness may fill in with ink.
- For CASSETTE IMPRINTS work in the Gray Scale mode. Only “Line Art” can be imprinted, meaning all ink areas must be completely black against a white (non-print) background. Vector art produces the highest quality line art. The line art will be used to make a single-color plate to imprint the cassette shell.
- Eliminate unused layers in files or flatten the artwork EXCLUDING THE LINES OF THE TEMPLATE if they contact the art. Hiding the template before flattening prevents the template lines from becoming part of your artwork.
- Our IMPRINT template for Photoshop is 1200 pixels per inch, and your graphics should be left at that resolution, or made as vector art in Illustrator or Photoshop. This is necessary for sharpness when imaging your design on film for imprinting, especially if the design contains small type or fine detail.
- Large areas of solid color will not print consistently and should be avoided. Limit your design to 40% or less ink coverage in the print area. Images that extend from edge to edge of the template area are discouraged. Artwork that requires full-face printing can be produced on our laser printed label sheets instead of imprinting.
- Tonal ranges (grays) will be converted to a dot or line screen. Lighter than 20% may be lost, and darker than 80% may fill in to solid ink.
- Laser-printed LABELS are an alternative to imprinting, and recommended if your artwork is multi-color, highly detailed, or requires more than 50% ink coverage. If you want your label to be filled from edge-to-edge with background color or an image, make sure you extend the artwork beyond the cut lines to the bleed line —both on the outer edges and inner hole.
- Large areas of solid color will not print consistently and should be avoided. Limit your design to 40% or less ink coverage in the print area. Images that extend from edge to edge of the template area are discouraged. Artwork that requires full-face printing can be produced on our laser printed label sheets instead of imprinting.
- Tonal ranges (grays) will be converted to a dot or line screen. Lighter than 20% may be lost, and darker than 80% may fill in to solid ink.
- Hide or remove the template lines in your file when submitting.
