Artwork Guideline

To help accommodate as many people as possible, PakFactory accepts a range of different file formats for submission. These are limited to:

• PDF (Portable Document Format)
• AI (Adobe Illustrator)
• EPS (Encapsulated PostScript)
• PSD (Photoshop Document)*

*On special requests only and may require additional charges.

Design File Formats

Graphics and text designs (basically, any non-photographic content) are best submitted as vector-based PDFs, AI, or EPS. This will ensure your lines and texts are nice and crisp when printing.
For best results, we recommend using the following preset to preflight your designs: Press Quality

1. When your artwork is finalized and is ready to be saved, navigate to your App menu: File > Save As...
2. With the Save As... window open, specify the format as Adobe PDF (pdf)
3. With the Save Adobe PDF window open, specify the Adobe PDF Preset as Press Quality and save.

Tip: Want to speed things up? After your artwork is finalized and is ready to be saved, use this shortcut to save your file:
Mac:
PC:

Unfortunately, due to the constraints of our accepted file formats, we can only accept either AI., PDF., EPS., and on rare occasions, PSD files.

In such circumstances where you do not have Adobe Illustrator, we can recommend looking at other vector-editing programs similar to Adobe Illustrator however, the same rule applies when it comes to our accepted file formats.

Alternatively, you may look at our artwork design services to help assist you with any design work you may require.

Due to various reasons, we only accept file sizes up to 100mb. However, files larger than 100mb may be accepted by request only with your product specialists.

To change your document color mode, navigate to your App menu: File > Document Color Mode > CMYK Color

Important: While your entire document color mode has been converted into CMYK Color, any image assets must still be converted into CMYK for added precautions

Important: While PakFactory will try it's best to match the gradient density of each color, PakFactory is not liable for any discrepancies in the final color output. We recommend when reviewing your CTP to ensure everything is to your expectation before submitting your final production order.

The RGB color space is commonly used exclusively for digital displays and is not recommended to be ever used for printing.

Due to the nature of how printers process color information, CMYK or PMS colors are the only recommended color spaces for printing.

Learn more about the RGB color model and why it's not used for printing.

When printing black elements of design such as text, using the CMYK color mode, the K (Black) ink in printers provides a more accurate color output.

Tip: Due to the variance of black when using the CMYK color space, we recommend to speak with our product specialists to specify the type of black you would like to use on your packaging. Here are different types of blacks:

The minimum font size for legibility varies depending on the product material and your chosen printing process. However, the safest recommended printable minimum size for fonts is generally at 8pt and reverse print at 10pt.

Keep in mind that some typefaces have thinner or lighter font weights, which may affect the print legibility.

• Dark text on light background: 6pt
• Light text on dark background: 8pt

If unsure, please consult with our product specialists to ensure your printed texts come out readable.

• Ensure all your artwork layers are unlocked, navigate to your App menu: Select > Object > All Text Objects
• After all text objects are selected, navigate to your App menu: Type > Create Outlines

Tip: Want to speed things up? After you've selected all your text objects, use this shortcut to outline your texts
Mac:
PC:

Absolutely! We can print in all printable PMS (Pantone®) colors and Spot UV, however you must ensure to add the necessary layers to your file to properly communicate which graphic elements will be using PMS or Spot UV. To ensure no mishaps during production, properly communicate with your product specialists as well.

To properly communicate to our production team about any special options or printing (Pantone®, foil stamping, spot UV, etc.), additional file preparation is required to avoid production issues. Please follow these steps closely to prevent any production delays and errors:

1. All other printing options should be indicated appropriately and separated into different layers.
2. For clarity, they should also be placed on a duplicate artboard in black (100% K value).

1. If your packaging requires interior printing, please indicate properly on separate artboards "Inside Print" and "Outside Print."
2. The interior and exterior artwork should also be placed in separate layers and properly named.

Our dielines are carefully engineered using our proprietary software and are purposely created for use on our printing presses. Therefore, any altercations to the original dieline can result in potential production errors. We strongly do not recommend any changes to your dielines and are not liable for any production errors caused by this.

Tip: For any changes for your dielines, please request them with your product specialist.

Please do not flatten the artwork and dieline layers. Our dielines are engineered using our proprietary software and are purposely created for use on our printing presses. To ensure that all printing and die-cutting functions are accurate in production, please avoid any altercations to the dieline.

All strokes and thin likes must be at least 0.25pt or 0.003in in thickness.

Ensuring that all your image assets are embedded into your saved file is vital to avoid any attachment issues of your files. When you do not correctly embed all your images, we may result in missing images needed to print your packaging.

1. To access all your linked images, navigate to your App menu: Window > Links
2. With the links panel open, multi-select all images, click on the sub-menu and select Embed Image(s)

All your images should be checked for correct image properties before sending your final file for print. In order to do this, follow these few steps:

1. To access all your linked images, navigate to your App menu: Window > Links
2. With the links panel open, select an image and click on the dropdown arrow to view the properties

Tip: Follow these few criteria's for printing perfection

Ensuring your photographic-content (JPEG, PNG, GIF) is at least 150 - 300 PPI is crucial for printing with the highest clarity. Any PPI below 150 is not recommended for print, especially for larger format prints.

1. To access all your linked images, navigate to your App menu: Window > Links
2. With the links panel open, select an image and click on the dropdown arrow to view the properties
3. Check the PPI to be at least 150 - 300 PPI

All photographic content and other image assets must be converted into CMYK color space for accurate color printing.

1. To check your images for color space, navigate to your App menu: Window > Links
2. With the links panel open, select an image and click on the dropdown arrow to view the properties
3. Check color space for CMYK

Ensuring your photographic-content (JPEG, PNG, GIF) is at least 150 - 300 PPI is crucial for printing with the highest clarity. Any PPI below 150 is not recommended for print, especially for larger format prints.

1. To access all your linked images, navigate to your App menu: Window > Links
2. With the links panel open, select an image and click on the dropdown arrow to view the properties
3. Check the PPI to be at least 150 - 300 PPI

All photographic content and other image assets must be converted into CMYK color space for accurate color printing.

1. To check your images for color space, navigate to your App menu: Window > Links
2. With the links panel open, select an image and click on the dropdown arrow to view the properties
3. Check color space for CMYK