Which graphics programs should I use?
For professional print file preparation
we recommend Adobe programs — InDesign or Illustrator.
Both allow you to correctly set all the required
parameters: bleeds, safety margins, spot
colors and the die-cut. Other programs may be used
provided all technical requirements are met.

How do I correctly export a PDF file from Adobe Illustrator?
Export using the PDF/X-1a: 2003 standard or as a high-
quality print file. Set a 2.5 mm bleed around the entire
format. In the “Marks and Bleeds” option select
“Use Document Bleed Settings” — only then will the bleed
be saved in the PDF file. Do not add printer’s
marks, control bars or cut marks —
they are not required and may corrupt the file. All special
layers (hot foil, white underprint, die-cut) must be
contained in a single PDF file — do not send them separately.

Can I send a file in AI, EPS or CDR format?
As standard we accept only PDF files. If you work
in another program — use our file
preparation service, and our graphics team will convert
and prepare the print-ready file for you.

What is bleed and why is it required?
Bleed is an additional area of artwork beyond the edge
of the label — 2.5 mm on each side. During cutting
minimal deviations can always occur. Bleed guarantees
that color or artwork reaches the very edge of the label
without a visible white strip at the border. Every element
that is meant to reach the label edge must be
extended into the bleed area.

What is the safety margin?
It is a 2 mm zone inside the die-cut line, in which
no important design elements should be placed —
text, logos, barcodes. Due to natural
deviations in the cutting process, elements closer than 2 mm
to the edge may be trimmed or appear
asymmetrical. If the design contains a border near the edge,
it must be at least 2 mm thick.

How do I set the drawing area?
The drawing area must be set to the final format
of the label — without bleeds. You add bleeds separately in the document
settings (2.5 mm around). The drawing area defines
the print boundary — everything outside it is treated as bleed
or will be cut off.

How do I correctly prepare the die-cut line?
The die-cut line must be drawn as a separate spot
color named exactly Troquel —
letter case matters. Line weight: minimum 0.2 mm.
The line must be set to overprint stroke.
Remember that the die-cut removes material outside the label,
not inside — the line defines the outer outline of the label.

What are the standard corners for rectangular labels?
Rectangular labels are cut as standard with a corner
radius of 0.5 mm. Any cut line with corners
above 0.5 mm is treated as a custom shape
and must be ordered as a custom die-cut — this involves
an additional cost and lead time.

Can I order a label in any shape?
Yes — we offer labels in custom shapes
(oval, circle, custom die-cut). The cut line must be
prepared according to the requirements: spot color “Troquel”,
0.2 mm weight, overprint. Custom shapes
are ordered as “custom shape” in the configurator.

Why must I use CMYK mode and not RGB?
Printers use four base colors: Cyan, Magenta,
Yellow and Black. RGB files contain colors that
cannot be fully reproduced in print. If you send
an RGB file, we will convert it to CMYK without consultation —
this may cause color shifts for which
we take no responsibility. Prepare your file directly
in CMYK mode to have full control over colors.

How do I use Pantone colors?
Pantone colors must be saved as spot colors
with the official Pantone name — e.g.
“Pantone 485 C” or “Pantone 286 U”. We accept only
original Pantone® C and Pantone® U colors.
Note: not all Pantone colors can be perfectly
reproduced in digital printing — this applies especially to
metallic and fluorescent colors. Production
in an original Pantone color is possible on request.

How do I correctly prepare black?
Create black as 100% K (black) without mixing in
other CMYK colors. Do not set black to overprint
or add cyan. For a particularly deep,
intense black we recommend double
printing (double-hit black) — select this option when ordering.

What is white underprint (HPI-White / opaque white)?
On transparent film and silver paper, CMYK colors
are not opaque — the substrate shows through the print.
To prevent this, an opaque white underprint (HPI-White) is used
under all or part of the artwork. The white underprint must be
saved as a spot color named exactly HPI-White
and set to overprint. Exception: if the design contains
white elements that are meant to be visible as white —
do not set those areas to overprint.

How do I prepare silver?
Silver must be saved as a spot color named Silver.
If you want to simulate different metallic shades using
silver — set Silver to overprint. Metallic colors
cannot be simulated by standard CMYK printing.

How do I prepare the hot foil area in the file?
The hot foil area must be saved as a separate spot color
named exactly Hotfoil. All foiling areas
must be set to overprint. Minimum thickness of lines
and elements: 0.2 mm. Gaps and cutouts inside the
hot foil area: minimum 0.4 mm. Important: hot foil does not allow
gradients to be reproduced — all foiled areas
must be a solid, uniform fill without tonal
transitions.

Can hot foil and CMYK print overlap?
Yes — hot foil can be applied over CMYK print or
directly onto the label material without underprint.
Make sure the Hotfoil area is set to overprint,
so it does not “knock out” the CMYK color underneath.

Can I have UV varnish (spot UV) on the label?
Yes — selective UV varnish is available as a finish.
Prepare the UV varnish area as a separate spot color
named SpotUV or according to the instructions you receive
when ordering. UV varnish creates a glossy effect
on selected design elements — it looks best
against a matte laminate background (gloss/matte contrast).