Artwork Tips Product Decoration Guide

The preparation of artwork is generally the first step in the process for the delivery of a successful order. If in doubt, always use Vector EPS. All artists will accept them. They will give the best result.

ART TYPES
EPS (Encapsulated Postscript)
Is a file format that supports both Mac and PC images.
There are many ways to make an EPS file
It is always best to refer to your supplier for their art file
Specifications.

EPS Vector Artwork:
Is generally produced by applications such as Adobe Illustrator, Macromedia Freehand and CorelDraw. Artwork, (Al and CDR files). Geometric information about shapes and lines are stored as vectors. They can be pixel-based scaled easily without producing the stair-step edges you see on pixel-based (raster/bitmap) images.

Raster/Bitmap Artwork:
Artwork and images that are defined by a grid pattern of pixels; similar to if you were to view a newspaper photograph under magnification. Raster images are dependent on the number of original pixels and cannot be enlarged without producing noticeably jagged, stair-step edges. They are produced by digital cameras, scanners and can also be created by applications such as Adobe Photoshop and Corel PhotoPaint (amongst others) Not suitable for multi coloured prints where separations are needed.

JPEG (Joint Photograph Experts Group)
Commonly used to display photographs and scanned images via e-mail. JPEGs retain all the colour information in a bitmap image, but compresses the file sizes by selectively discarding data. A higher level of compression results in lower image quality and smaller file size, and a lower level results in better image quality and larger file sizes.
A TIFF or BMP file is just an uncompressed JPEG file.

Remember:
Suppliers are the experts on how they use art files for their own decoration processes. Please refer to the individual supplier for the specifications regarding art preparation.

USEFUL TERMS:

DPI Dots Per inch:
A measure of the resolution of a display output device (e.g Laser printer)

LPI : Lines per inch:
A measure of the scanning resolution and the resolution of a bitmap.

PPI: Pixels per inch:
A measure of the scanning resolution of a bitmap.

Resolution:
In bitmaps it is a measure of the size of the pixels or dots that compose a bitmap.

Spot Colour:
A colour that is reproduced when printed using a single ink. Several spot colours can be used to create a multi-colour art. Preferred method when trying to match a specified colour.

Colour Space:
Refers to the use of colour in print or graphic file. Defined for our purposes as spot colour, no colour, RGB or CMYK.

RGB:
A colour model in which 3 primary colours (Red, Green, Blue) are combined to produce colour. Monitors, scanners and the human eye all use RGB o detect colour.

CMYK:
A colour model made up of Cyan (C), Magenta (M), Yellow (Y) and Black (K) to produce millions of other colours.
Often referred to as a Four-Colour Process

PMS Pantone Matching System:
A colour chart, printed in a swatch book.
Ensures predictable and consistent colour reproduction.

Dot Gain:
The increase in size of printed dots and fine lines caused by the spread of ink as it is absorbed by the material on which it is being printed. Dot gain is expressed as a percentage.

(Courtesy of JEM Promotional Products ©2007)

If you have any questions relating to promotional products, please don’t hesitate in contacting us. JEM Promotional Products
Phone: (02) 8205 1334
E-mail: enquiries@jempp.com.au
Website: www.jempp.com.au