Please set up the artwork to the required finished size. Our standard size is 90mm x 54mm. However, we can produce some finishes up to 210mm x 148.5mm (A5).
We require artwork to have 3mm external bleed and 3mm internal bleed.
All colours should be set up as Pantone Solid Uncoated or Pantone Metallic.
All fonts should be outlined.
Our specialty finishes require a specific setup to ensure they’re produced correctly.
Each separate embellishment requires its own special setup. Read below for more information, or download our Artwork Guide above.
A print-ready file (Adobe InDesign or Adobe Illustrator) with fonts outlined.
We will set up the artwork to our specifications, but we don’t make non-print-ready files print-ready. If you require help with design layout, please click here.
We generally recommend Adobe InDesign or Adobe Illustrator. Using vector-based artwork and programs is best.
Set up the artboard to your desired finished size.
If any imagery or colour comes within 3mm of the artboard size, it needs to extend 3mm past the artboard. This is to allow for variation in print processes.
All important information should be at least 3mm away from the trim edge.
See our embellishment settings below, or download our Artwork Guide above.
First, set all swatches (fill and strokes) to overprint.
Second, name your swatches according to the following rules:
Emboss – Select any Pantone swatch, and rename to EMBOSS.
Deboss – Select any Pantone swatch, and rename to DEBOSS
Foil – Select any Pantone swatch, and rename to FOIL – “INSERT FOIL NUMBER”. For example: FOIL – #6 Blue (G).
If you don’t have our foil swatch card from our Sample Pack, see a list of our foil colours under the Card Details section on our Sample Pack page.
Diecut – Select any Pantone swatch, and rename to DIECUT
Letterpress – Use desired Pantone Uncoated colour and add LETTERPRESS to the end. For example, Pantone 200U – LETTERPRESS.
We recommend the below:
White foiling: Offset white ink is transparent, we recommend using a white foil instead. Line weights above 0.25pt tend to be better. This also applies to smaller text.
Embossing and debossing: The thicker the artwork, the greater the impact.
For debossing, we choose to press as heavy as our equipment will allow, which can result in show-through on the other side.
Alignment between different foils and embellishments can vary. Be mindful that it’s not an exact science, and movement can occur. Avoid tight fits between embellishments.
Coloured paper will change the look of your desired Pantone colour. We recommend using the ‘multiply’ function in your Adobe software to help visualise how it may appear when printed.
All our Thick paper range can be embossed.
Currently, we don’t emboss anything above 400gsm, this includes our Thicker, Thickest and Mix & Match range.
No, you can’t.
Embossing before or after mounting yields unpredictable results.
No, we don’t.
As an offset ink, it’s too transparent to show up well on dark paper.
We recommend metallic inks, e.g. silver (Pantone 877 U), or a white foil. See our recommendations on white foils above under “How can I get the best out of my embellishments?”
Create a 10mm slug in your artwork at the bottom.
Add the words ‘EDGE’ and the Pantone swatch to the slug. For example: EDGE – Pantone 200U.
Create a 10mm slug in your artwork at the bottom.
Add the words ‘EDGE’ and the foil swatch to the slug. For example: EDGE – Foil #6 Blue (G).
Create a 10mm slug in your artwork at the bottom.
Add paper details on each artboard/side.
For example:
Page 01 = 270gsm Colorplan Citrine
Page 02 = 270gsm Colorplan Imperial Blue.
HHHI Limited
© 2024
What we are pondering
“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”
— Steve Jobs
