Using My Print Valet™ Generated Die Lines
MPV-generated die lines should always be used when uploading artwork for a standard style under the “Choose Your Style” drop-down. Custom die lines are only accepted for “PDF Cut-Crease Upload” style uploads.
Do Not Edit or Rotate Structural Drawing
The unique structural template (CAD die line) generated by MPV has been designed to flow through our automated system smoothly and accurately. This template should not be altered or rotated. The printed art is cut out based on the original template orientation. Rotating the die line may yield unintended results.
File Contains Die Line Layer
To ensure your project cuts correctly, the unique structural die line must be visibly included as part of the print file, in its own layer(s). The die line layer should only contain the die line and should be the top layer above any artwork layers.
The structural drawing will contain spot colors (“Cut” or “Artios Cut” and “Crease” or “Artios Crease”) for the cut and crease lines that should not be converted to CMYK. CMYK conversion will result in the cut and crease lines being printed on the structure. These spot colors should not be sampled to create artwork intended for print.
We recommend you provide die line assets to your customers with layers already correctly labeled.
Add Custom Artwork to a New Layer
Within Adobe® Illustrator, create a new layer below the die line layer(s) to add your custom artwork to.
Using Your Own Custom Generated Die Lines
Custom die lines are only accepted for “PDF Cut-Crease Upload” style uploads (see images under “Using My Print Valet™ Generated Die Lines”).
Use Technical Spot Colors for Cut and Crease Lines
Cut and crease lines must be included as technical spot colors. Cut lines must be named either “Cut” or “Artios Cut” and crease lines must be named “Crease” or “Artios Crease.” Failing to name your cut and crease colors correctly may cause these elements to print on your artwork.
Partial Cuts and Perforations
Currently, MPV does not support partial cuts (cutting 50% through the material).
We can produce a perforation effect using the supported Cut and Crease line types. To do this, draw a continuous Crease line where you want the perforation, then overlay a perforation pattern of Cut segments over this line, alternating between Cut segments and gaps to mimic a perforated line. Ensure you apply the technical spot colors "Cut" and "Crease" to the appropriate line elements. Please note that the shortest Crease segment we can produce is 5/8 inch.
Overprint Stroke
Overprint Stroke must be checked on for all die line elements. In Adobe Illustrator, select your die line elements and open the Attributes panel. Check the box next to Overprint Stroke. Failing to do so will result in your die line printing over your artwork on press.
Artboard Size
The artboard size of uploaded artwork must be equal to the size of the blank dimensions plus bleed. For two-sided print, both pages must be the same size.
Printed Sheets
Upload artwork without the die line. If the die line is not removed, the die line will print on the sheet. All artwork must include .1875” minimum of bleed and .4375” of blank trim. This should result in 1 1/4” (5/8” on each side) added to the die line L x W dimensions.
The blank dimensions input on MPV equal the desired sheet size. The sheet size would be the size of the artboard.
For additional information and sheet setup examples, please review our C500 Printed Sheet Trim Guidelines.
Artwork Preparation
Use Adobe® Illustrator to add your customer’s artwork to either an MPV-generated die line file or your own generated cut and crease file.
Bleed and Margin
- Include a 3/16-inch bleed beyond the die line on all edges and ¼-inch bleed into any glue flaps.
- Margins, rule outlines, and copy need to be at minimum 1/8-inch inside of all die line edges and scores.
Image Resolution
For best results, all artwork and image resolution should be no less than 300dpi.
Placed Graphics
- Always place graphics at 100%.
- Ensure all graphic components are placed within your artwork layer(s), not the die line layer. Artwork placed on the die line layer may be inadvertently deleted during our prepress process.
Raster vs. Vector Art
Combining raster and vector artwork with the same CMYK color build can result in different final print appearance. Artwork that uses the same CMYK build should be built either as all vector or all rasterized images to avoid any possible color shifts.
Embedding Files
If your file contains links to supporting graphics, be sure to either embed all graphics or include the linked files in your .zip folder when delivering final graphics to The BoxMaker.
Complex Graphics
Artwork files that include transparency, effects, gradients, drop shadows, or multiple layered images should be flattened into a single CMYK Adobe® Photoshop file to ensure the integrity of the image/artwork.
Color Profile
Art files should be built as CMYK. RGB images and PMS colors will be converted to CMYK, which can greatly affect the color of print.
Technical Spot Colors
Do not use technical spot colors (Cut, Crease, Annotations, Dimensions) in your artwork. These colors are meant to be used for the die line only. Using the technical spot colors in your artwork could cause artwork that uses technical spot colors to not print.
Lines and Strokes
- Minimum thickness for positive lines: .25pt.
- Minimum thickness for reverse lines: .75pt.
Text and Fonts
- Please proofread all text carefully. We are not financially responsible to fix client-supplied typos.
- Minimum text size for positive text: 4pt
- Minimum text size for reverse text: 6pt.
- Point size may need to be larger or a heavier weight used based on individual font characteristics.
- When reversing type, use one weight heavier than weight intended to use.
- Avoid using small trademark (™) and register mark (®) symbols to print in reverse as they may fill.
- Convert all text to outlines (recommended), or include font files in . zip folder when delivering final graphics to The BoxMaker.
- Do not set text components to overprint. Overprint text may disappear in the final print result.
Ink Saturation
- Black Ink: Too much ink in any one area can lead to printing or drying issues.
- Rich Black: If your art includes black, we recommend a rich black build of 30C/30Y/30M/100K. For best results, include a .5pt. stroke of 100% black (K) to avoid print overspray.
- Black Text: We recommend 100% black (K) for small black text.
UPCs, Barcodes, and QR Codes
If intended to be scanned, UPC-A type barcodes need to be at least 150% size (approx. 2.2-inch wide). For proper scanning, the height of the bars is recommended to be at least .5-inch tall. Barcodes and QR Codes should be designated as 100% black (K) for best scanning results.
Postscript Overprint Settings
Do not set type or other elements to Overprint unless that is the intended effect. It can cause type or other art elements to disappear or drastically change color on darker backgrounds.
Artwork Upload
Acceptable File Formats
All files uploaded to My Print Valet™ must be saved in PDF format and include either the MPV-generated die line assets or your own provided cut and crease file assets in separate visible layers within the document.
To check to see if the correct die line layers are included:
In Adobe Acrobat, go to Tools > Print Production > Output Preview and ensure all CAD layers are turned on.
Corrugation Direction
The PDF graphic/structure file must be uploaded with the corrugation in the vertical position.
Two-Sided Print
Two-sided print project files must be submitted as a single PDF that contains two artboards (pages). The first artboard will print on the outside of the structure and the second will print on the inside. The die line on the inside artboard should be a mirror image (horizontally) of the die line on the first artboard.
File Size Limit
My Print Valet™ uploads are limited to 500MB. To submit artwork files larger than 500MB, send file to parkers@boxmaker.com using the file transfer software of your choice.