FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Q: How do I prepared print files for Ace Embossing?

A: Use these guide lines for printing.

File Preparation for print

In order to ensure your files are print-ready, we recommend that you upload them in PDF format. When you generate a print-ready PDF, your computer will use the settings in Adobe Acrobat Distiller or any other PDF generating programs you may use. Please make sure that these are set properly before generating your PDF file.

If you are uploading PDF files created in Photoshop, please be sure all layers are flattened.

We also accept .JPG (JPEG), .EPS and .TIF (TIFF) file types, however PDF is the preferred format.

Check your file to make sure it meets our file creation guidelines. This will help speed up the production of your project and give your printed piece the best results.

1. Use the CMYK colorspace (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, black). These are industry standard printing colors. CMYK colors are different than RGB (Red, Green, Blue), which are used to display colors on your screen.

2. Use a minimum resolution of 300 dpi for image files.

3. Specify trim area with crop marks. (Don't place crop marks inside the work area.)

4. Artwork should have 1/4" (0. 25") bleed extending past the trim line. This is to prevent minor cutting variations from leaving unintended results at the trim edge.

5. Safe Area is the 1/4" (0.25") area inside the trim line. Do not put critical information or images within the Safe Area. This is to prevent minor cutting variations from leaving unintended results at the trim edge.

6. If you want printed borders, they must be placed a minimum of 1/4" (0.25") inside the trim line and include bleed. This is to prevent minor cutting variations from leaving unintended results at the trim edge.

Bleed and Safe Area

We require that you extend any images that run up to the trim line a minimum of 1/4" (0.25") past the trim line to create "bleed". Depending on what program you use to create your file, this may or may not change the total image area of your file. Programs like Photoshop that do not allow the creation of "bleed" or the addition of crop marks will require an image area that is 1/2" (0. 5") larger than your desired final overall image area in both dimensions.

Safe Area is the 1/4" (0.25") area inside the trim line. Do not put critical information or images within the Safe Area. This is to prevent minor cutting variations from leaving unintended results at the trim edge. If you choose to make less than this minimum clearance, we will NOT be responsible for items that are cut off in this area.

Q: What does 4/0 mean?

A: 4/0 means printed 4 color process on one side of sheet. Here are some more terms and thier definitions.

PRINT DEFINITIONS

4/4

Full color on both sides of the sheet. This option can reproduce the range of colors you see in a typical photograph out of the standard 4 printing colors: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Typical examples of this are magazine covers and high-end catalogs.

4/1

Full color (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black as above) on the front and black on the back. A typical example of this is a flyer.

4/0

Full color (cyan, magenta, yellow, and black as above) on the front and no printing on the back. A typical example of this is a poster.

COATINGS

AQ 1 Side

AQ is short for Aqueous Coating. This is a semi-gloss, environmentally friendly, water-based coating applied to the front of the printed piece. It provides additional gloss and protection, and it can be written on with a ballpoint pen.

AQ 2 Sides

AQ is short for Aqueous Coating. This is a semi-gloss, environmentally friendly, water-based coating applied over the entire front and back of the printed piece. It provides additional gloss and protection, and it can be written on with a ballpoint pen.

Satin AQ

AQ is short for Aqueous Coating. This is a matte finish, environmentally friendly, water-based coating applied over the entire printed piece. It reduces the gloss of the printing and it can be written on with a ballpoint pen.

UV 1 Side

UV is short for Ultra Violet Light-Cured Coating. This is a high-gloss coating applied over the front of the printed piece. It is not recommended for printed material you need to write on after being produced.

UV 2 Sides

UV is short for Ultra Violet Light-Cured Coating. This is a high-gloss coating applied over the entire front and back of the printed piece. It is not recommended for products you need to write on after being printed.

Spot UV

UV is short for Ultra Violet Light-Cured Coating. This is a high-gloss coating applied to specific spots of your choosing.

Spot UV 2Sides

High-gloss coating applied to specific spots of your choosing on both the front and back of the printed piece for emphasis or as a design element. Do not put spot UV anywhere that you will need to write.

Q: What kind of files are needed for foil stamping and embossing?

A: Vector files with all fonts outlined/embedded. Something created in adobe illustrator is best; ai, eps, or illustrator PDF. If there are any links be sure to embed them in the file.

Please ask some questions so we can add to the content!

525 Sinclair Frontage Road, Milpitas, CA 95035 ● USA ● (408) 262-2585 ● info@aceembossing.com