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Artwork Guideline
8 Rules for Preparing Artwork Files
Review these eight items before submitting your packaging design. Correct file preparation helps reduce revisions, prevent production issues, and maintain the intended print quality.
Artwork File Types
Submit your artwork in Adobe Illustrator .AI or print-ready .PDF format.
CMYK Color Setup
Set all artwork colors to CMYK to ensure accurate and consistent print results.
Outlined Fonts
Convert all text to outlines and confirm that font sizes are suitable for printing.
Special Finish Layers
Place foil stamping, embossing, spot UV, or other special finishes on separate labeled layers.
Dieline Requirements
Keep the provided dieline on its own layer and do not flatten, resize, or modify it.
Minimum Line Weight
All strokes must be at least 0.25pt thick
Embedded Images
Embed all linked images and confirm they are correctly sized within the artwork file.
Image Resolution
Use high-resolution graphics of at least 300 PPI for sharp and professional printing.
8 Rules for Preparing Artwork Files
When getting your artwork ready, please follow these 8 rules to ensure the best printing results.
File Formats
Send files in both Adobe Illustrator (AI.) or (PDF.) formats
Color Profiles
All colors must be in the CMYK color space
Text
All text objects must be outlined and sized properly
Additional Printing
Prepare seperate layers for additional printing
Dielines
Do not flatten the provided dieline template
Lines
All strokes must be at least 0.25pt thick
Images
Ensure all images are embedded and sized properly
Graphics
All graphics must be at least 300 PPI
Important: To ensure your fastest production time, please make sure all your designs meet our specifications.
Detailed Artwork Guide
Use the following instructions to check each part of your packaging file before submitting it to INS Packaging.
File Formats
Which artwork formats can I submit?
INS Packaging primarily accepts the following production file types:
- PDF — Portable Document Format
- AI — Adobe Illustrator
- EPS — Encapsulated PostScript
Vector-based AI, PDF, or EPS files are strongly recommended for logos, text, icons, patterns, and other non-photographic elements. Vector artwork maintains clean edges and consistent detail when resized or prepared for printing.
For PDF export, use a professional print-quality preset and review the exported file before submission.
How do I save as a PDF file in Adobe Illustrator for print?
Artwork may be created in another professional vector-design application, provided the final file can be exported correctly as AI-compatible PDF, EPS, or another approved print-ready format.
Before submitting the file, confirm that:
- Fonts are outlined
- Images are embedded
- Colors are prepared for print
- The dieline remains editable and separate
- Specialty finishes are clearly identified
When a usable production file is not available, our packaging artwork design service may assist with preparing or rebuilding the artwork.
What is the maximum recommended file size?
Files up to 100 MB can normally be submitted through the standard file-transfer process.
For larger projects, contact your product specialist before uploading. An alternative transfer method may be arranged when the artwork contains high-resolution images or multiple packaging components.
Avoid lowering image quality, flattening required layers, or deleting production information only to reduce the file size.
What should I do if I do not use Adobe Illustrator?
Unfortunately, due to the constraints of our accepted file formats, we can only accept AI., PDF., EPS., and on rare occassions, PDF files.
In such circumstances where you do not have Adobe Illustrator, we can recommend looking at alternative vector-editing programs similar to Adobe Illustrator. However, the same rule applies when it comes to our accepted file formats.
Alternatively, you may look into our artwork design services to help assist with any design work you may require.
What is the maximum recommended file size?
Files up to 100 MB can normally be submitted through the standard file-transfer process.
For larger projects, contact your product specialist before uploading. An alternative transfer method may be arranged when the artwork contains high-resolution images or multiple packaging components.
Avoid lowering image quality, flattening required layers, or deleting production information only to reduce the file size.
Color Profiles
How do I change an Illustrator document to CMYK?
In Adobe Illustrator, go to:
File > Document Color Mode > CMYK Color
Changing the document mode does not automatically correct every placed image. Linked or embedded photographic assets should also be reviewed to confirm that their color profiles are suitable for printing.
Color appearance can vary between monitors and printed materials. Paper type, ink coverage, lamination, coating, and surface texture may all affect the final result.
Review the proof carefully before approving your project for production.
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Can RGB artwork be used for printing?
RGB is designed primarily for screens and digital displays. It can contain bright colors that cannot always be reproduced accurately with conventional printing inks.
For packaging production:
- Use CMYK for standard full-color printing
- Use Pantone or other approved spot colors for specific brand colors
- Convert RGB images before final artwork submission
- Review significant color changes after conversion
Files submitted in RGB may require conversion before production, and the printed colors may differ from their on-screen appearance.
When should black artwork use 100% K?
For small black text, fine lines, barcodes, and other precise black elements, a single-color black value is generally preferred.
A typical setup is:
C: 0%
M: 0%
Y: 0%
K: 100%
Using only the black plate helps maintain cleaner registration around small details.
Large solid black backgrounds may require a different black formula to create a deeper appearance. Discuss the intended result with your product specialist before finalizing the file, as the appropriate ink combination can depend on the material and printing process.
Text
Text
What font size should I use?
Minimum readable font size depends on the selected typeface, material, printing method, ink coverage, and background.
As a general reference:
- Dark text on a light background: approximately 6 pt or larger
- Light text reversed from a dark background: approximately 8 pt or larger
- Fine, condensed, or lightweight fonts may require a larger size
Reverse text and thin lettering are more likely to lose clarity during printing. Always review typography at 100% scale rather than relying only on an enlarged screen view.
For ingredients, instructions, warnings, or other critical information, prioritize readability over visual density.
How do I convert text into outlines?
Before outlining fonts, save a separate editable version containing the original live text.
In Adobe Illustrator:
- Unlock the artwork layers containing text.
- Go to Select > Object > All Text Objects.
- Go to Type > Create Outlines.
- Inspect the artwork to confirm that no text has moved, disappeared, or changed unexpectedly.
Outlined text becomes vector artwork and no longer depends on the original font file being installed.
Keyboard shortcut
Mac: Shift + Command + O
Windows: Shift + Ctrl + O
After outlining, spelling and wording cannot be edited as normal text. Complete all proofreading first.
Additional Printing
Can my packaging use Pantone colors, metallic colors, or spot UV?
es. Packaging artwork may include Pantone colors, metallic effects, spot UV, foil stamping, embossing, debossing, white ink, and other specialty processes, depending on the product structure and selected material.
Each treatment must be clearly identified in the file. Do not rely only on visual appearance to communicate a special finish.
For example, a gold-colored object in the CMYK artwork does not automatically indicate gold foil. The foil area must be provided as a separate production layer.
Discuss the following with your product specialist:
- Finish type
- Finish location
- Material compatibility
- Minimum detail size
- Registration requirements
- Expected visual result
How should special finishes be prepared?
Create a separate and clearly named layer for every additional process.
Examples include:
- Gold Foil
- Silver Foil
- Spot UV
- Emboss
- Deboss
- White Ink
- Metallic Ink
- Varnish
Use solid vector shapes to define the exact production area.
For clear prepress identification:
- Keep each process on its own layer.
- Use a solid spot color or 100% K to display the treatment area.
- Avoid gradients, shadows, transparency, or photographic effects in the production mask.
- Name the layer according to the required finish.
- Include a visual reference showing the expected final appearance.
A duplicated artboard may also be used to show finishing areas separately from the full-color artwork.
How should interior printing be organized?
When the package includes printing on both sides, separate the exterior and interior artwork clearly.
Recommended file organization:
- Artboard 1: Outside Print
- Artboard 2: Inside Print
The corresponding artwork should also be organized into clearly named layers.
Do not place the inside and outside designs on top of each other without identification. Confirm the direction and position of the interior artwork after the package is folded and assembled.
Dielines
What do the lines on a packaging dieline mean?
Line colors and styles may vary by project, so always follow the legend included with the approved INS Packaging dieline.
The most common line types are described below.
Cut Line
The cut line indicates the final trimmed edge of the packaging.
Important text, logos, barcodes, and other essential elements should remain inside the designated safety area rather than sitting directly on the cut line.
Crease or Fold Line
Crease lines show where the packaging will be folded during production and assembly.
Avoid placing small text or critical design details directly across a fold unless the placement is intentional.
Can I modify the dieline?
Do not resize, stretch, redraw, move, or otherwise modify an approved dieline without confirmation from INS Packaging.
The dieline controls the package dimensions, folding positions, glue areas, locking tabs, openings, and production tolerances. Even a small structural change may affect:
- Product fit
- Assembly
- Die-cutting
- Folding
- Gluing
- Material usage
- Production cost
Send requested structural changes to your product specialist so the dieline can be reviewed and updated correctly.
Can I flatten the dieline into the artwork?
No. Keep the dieline and printed artwork on separate layers.
Flattening them together makes it difficult for the prepress team to isolate structural lines and may cause dieline marks to appear in the printed artwork.
Recommended setup:
- Keep the dieline on the top layer
- Name the layer clearly
- Lock it while designing
- Keep it editable
- Do not rasterize it
- Do not merge it with the background artwork
Before exporting the final production PDF, follow the instructions provided by your product specialist regarding dieline visibility.
Lines
What is the minimum stroke thickness?
Very thin lines may become inconsistent, break during printing, or disappear on textured materials.
The minimum suitable thickness may also depend on:
- Printing method
- Ink type
- Substrate
- Foil stamping
- Spot UV
- Embossing
- Reverse printing
- Registration tolerance
For specialty finishes, larger or thicker artwork may be required. Submit delicate details for review before approving the final design.
Images
How do I embed linked images in Adobe Illustrator?
Embedding images keeps the required image data inside the Illustrator file and reduces the risk of missing assets when the artwork is transferred.
In Adobe Illustrator:
- Go to Window > Links.
- Select the required linked images.
- Open the Links panel menu.
- Select Embed Image(s).
- Save the file and reopen it to confirm that all images remain visible.
Alternatively, use Illustrator’s packaging function to collect the artwork file and all linked assets into one project folder.
Before submitting, make sure the file does not contain outdated, duplicated, or hidden image versions.
How do I review image information in Illustrator?
Open the Links panel through:
Window > Links
Select an image to review its properties, including:
- File type
- Color mode
- Original resolution
- Effective resolution
- Scale percentage
- Link status
- File location
Pay particular attention to effective resolution. Enlarging an image inside Illustrator lowers its effective PPI, even when the original file has a high resolution.
How can I confirm whether an image is suitable for print?
Review the image at its final placed size.
For most packaging artwork, photographic and raster content should be approximately 300 PPI at the intended print dimensions.
Images below 150 PPI may show:
- Pixelation
- Soft edges
- Reduced detail
- Blurred text
- Uneven image quality
Do not assume that increasing the PPI value in image-editing software will restore missing detail. A small or low-quality source image cannot be converted into a genuinely high-resolution image simply by changing its resolution setting.
How do I check the color mode of an image?
Open the Links panel and select the relevant image to review its color-space information.
Photographic assets intended for standard full-color printing should normally be prepared in CMYK or converted using the color profile specified for the project.
After conversion, check:
- Skin tones
- Neutral grays
- Dark areas
- Bright colors
- Gradients
- Brand colors
RGB-to-CMYK conversion can cause visible color changes, particularly in highly saturated blue, green, orange, and fluorescent-looking areas.
Graphics
Should design elements be raster or vector?
Use vector artwork for elements that require precise edges or may need to be resized, including:
- Logos
- Text
- Icons
- Barcodes
- QR codes
- Line drawings
- Borders
- Geometric patterns
- Finishing masks
Use raster formats for photographic or pixel-based content.
Common raster formats include:
- JPEG
- PNG
- TIFF
- PSD
Common vector formats include:
- AI
- EPS
- SVG
Avoid converting text, logos, or line graphics into low-resolution images. Keeping these elements in vector format helps preserve clean edges and allows the prepress team to prepare them accurately.
What resolution should raster graphics have?
Raster graphics should generally have an effective resolution of approximately 300 PPI at the final printed size.
Check the effective PPI after the image has been scaled and positioned in the artwork.
For example, enlarging a 300 PPI image to twice its original dimensions reduces its effective resolution to approximately 150 PPI.
Review the Links panel to identify images that have been enlarged beyond a suitable production resolution.
Still Have Questions?
Not every packaging design uses the same printing process, material, structure, or finishing method.
Send your artwork to our packaging team for review before production. We will help identify file-preparation issues and clarify the requirements that apply to your specific packaging project.
Contact Our Packaging Specialist
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Sustainability
- InsPackaging is pushing change for a greener tomorrow. For every order, trees are planted through the National Forest Foundation.
Compliance
- InsPackaging is committed to delivering manufacturing excellence.
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