Art Requirements

Files:

  • All art files must meet these requirements
  • We can accept either MAC or PC formats
  • Files can be accepted by FTP, E-Mail, or CD hard Copy
  • File Formats Preferred:

    • EPS (text outlined, all pictures embedded)
    TIFF (300 DPI minimum)
    AI (text outlined, all pictures embedded)
    PSD (must included fonts)
    INDD (must included fonts & pictures)
    PDF (text outlined, all pictures embedded)

  • All files must have pictures embedded within the file. No linked or placed images. If not possible they must include all linked files.
  • All files should have outlined text (preferred)… If not possible they must include all fonts.
  • All files must include 1/8 inch bleed area.

NOTE: all electronic art files MUST be assembled using a Ariel-Media template. Art supplied that does not meet these requirements may be subject to additional graphic charges.

Ariel-Media reserves the right to re-estimate any project deemed not to comply with the specifications of this document.

Colors and Pantones:

Clients must specify all colors to be printed (Pantones or CMYK). Colors will shift in brightness and color if printed on silver. Opaque white base can be either a flood or custom.

Printing methods:

Ariel-Media offers two methods of printing on disc media.

Waterless UV Offset & Silkscreen.

Offset is dedicated four color process (CMYK) with the ability to add one spot color which is printed silkscreen. This option comes in handy when a spot color, Pantone formula, is critical to match elements such as logos and companioning materials. Offset is the best method for high quality images like photos and gradients.

Silkscreen is primarily for spot color printing although 4 color process can be printed as well.

Our silkscreen presses can print 5 colors including the opaque white flood base.

Film:

Ariel-Media strongly advises against clients supplying their own film.

Our films are imaged to our exact specifications and color profiles. We can not ensure a high quality print using films other than the ones we generate.

Proofing:

Projects will not be processed without an approval. Our primary method of proofing is PDF via email.

Hard proofing (check disc print for discs and contract prints for paper materials) are available along with a low resolution mockup when requested.)

PDF proofs sent via email are to be viewed for content and placement only. Color will vary when viewing due to three main facts.

  1. All computer monitors display color differently.
  2. All emailed PDFs are in the RGB color mode.
  3. PDF proofs are low resolution files to keep them email friendly in size.

Check disc print – this is an actual printed disc of your art file.

Contract proof – typically a inkjet proof. Color profiles are to print industry standards. Supplied mainly for proofing paper materials but may also be used to proof a disc label.

Masters & Art:

All masters must be on their own separate CD/DVD. WE WILL NOT ACCEPT a master that also contains the CD art files or any other information that is not going to be on the master. We cannot take the chance of accidentally putting or taking of the wrong information that will be put on the master (stamper).