{"id":589,"date":"2023-03-03T17:32:25","date_gmt":"2023-03-03T17:32:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.duplication.ca\/blog\/?p=589"},"modified":"2024-06-05T16:42:31","modified_gmt":"2024-06-05T20:42:31","slug":"the-duplication-ca-guide-to-pad-print-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.duplication.com\/blog\/the-duplication-ca-guide-to-pad-print-design\/","title":{"rendered":"The Duplication.ca Guide to Pad Print Design"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When you put in a cassette order you want the finished product to look its absolute best. Following these steps not only makes our job easier, but it will ensure that your pad print will look just as gorgeous as intended. First you\u2019ll need to place your order on our cassette duplication calculator<\/a>, then we can get started!<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"TV<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

DESIGNING YOUR ARTWORK<\/em><\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

1) <\/strong>Download our latest template<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are a few things to consider when designing pad print artwork for your order. First, what kind of shell have you chosen? Our templates have layers for opaque tapes, clear\/windowless, and shells with square hub windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

https:\/\/www.duplication.ca\/printspecs\/cassette-cover-templates.htm#padprint<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each template has useful information about designing artwork that is unique to each type of cassette shell chosen, so be sure to check if we have updated templates available with every order and follow the directions contained in the file!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) <\/strong>Applications<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First and foremost, we highly recommend you send us vector artwork, so you should be using applications such as Adobe Illustrator or CorelDraw to design vector logos and line text. Graphic design applications such as Adobe Photoshop or GiMP can be used, but bitmapped images will be subject to additional fees. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS<\/strong><\/em><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

1) <\/strong>Vector Artwork<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We now require vector artwork for pad print. It helps us achieve finer lines with a fraction of the platemaking time. It\u2019s best to create artwork as a vector image, but we recognize that sometimes images are sourced from bitmap files or hand drawings. Outside of CorelDraw and Illustrator, there are freeware websites that allow you to upload your image and they will trace the outlines to convert to a vector file. The results will vary and often depend on the complexity and quality of your source material. Some websites have more options than others, so be prepared for trial and error tweaking until you\u2019re satisfied. Further tweaking can be done in programs like Illustrator, PhotoPea, or even Photoshop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are a few websites worth checking out:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rapid Resizer
<\/a>Vectorization.org
<\/a>Autotrace (Online Converting)
<\/a>PhotoPea<\/a> (click on Image -> Vectorize Bitmap)<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"
Difference in quality between bitmap (left) and vector (right)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

If you cannot retrace your images or convert to vector, we will be able to do it for a small fee. Bitmap images are also subject to a fee as they can take up to 20x as long to print the plate.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2) Grayscale<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of your chosen ink colour, make sure your artwork is done in black. If you requested 2-colour pad print you\u2019ll need to have each colour artwork in its own layer. The layers should be properly titled with their colour name (ex. one layer would be titled \u2018Red\u2019 and the other \u2018Blue\u2019). Again, regardless of the desired ink colour, each layer artwork must appear black.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3) Resolution<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A low resolution can cause the finished product to look pixelated and of poor quality. If you are using Photoshop or your own template, ensure the dimensions and resolution are 4331 x 4331 pixels wide at 1000 ppi. <\/strong>Please note that resolution isn’t applicable when working with vector art.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4) Creating Outlines for Text<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Often times we will receive a file with missing fonts, which means your meticulously curated typeface design will revert to a basic font style when we open the artwork file. But there’s an easy solution to this– simply Create Outlines for your text!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need to do is select your text, then navigate to the Type menu and select Create Outlines. The same can be done in Photoshop by selecting your text with the Direct Selection Tool and clicking on Convert to Shape in the Type menu. Avoid using faux font styling as it may not convert properly.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another method is to ‘Expand’ your text. This video gives a quick explanation on how to do so:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n