Artwork Specifications
The quality of the artwork you supply will directly impact the quality of the Laser Engraving or High-Definition Printing on your finished product.
Engraving is capable of reproducing very high-quality graphic images onto your product. A high-quality product begins with high-quality artwork!
Ideal File Formats for Engraving are:
Adobe Illustrator (.EPS - Vector artwork with fonts converted to curves)
Adobe Illustrator (.AI - Vector artwork with fonts converted to curves)
Adobe Acrobat (.PDF - Vector artwork with fonts converted to curves)
Digital Photography (.JPEG/.JPG/.PNG/.PSD/.BMP - Used for Engraving Photos)
Scalable Vector Graphics File (.SVG - Vector graphic format widely used on the web)
CAD Format (.DXF - Commonly used is CAD assisted programs for sub surface 3D engraving)
WHAT IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE FILE TYPE WE NEED?
No worries. We can sometimes convert your low-resolution files to the file type required. Sometimes it's a simple conversion, and sometimes we have to completely redraw your logo. The charge to do this varies with the materials you provide us, but a typical re-draw cost between £20 - £35 for us to rework. We'll review your artwork and provide you with an quotation for the work. This can be added to your product order. Generally, we'll need an additional 2 days to process the file conversion.
SUBMITTING COPY FOR ENGRAVING
Files for engraving that contain just text can be part of an email or attachment in PDF, Word, Excel. To reduce the chances of error and maintain efficiency we will not accept Faxed (what's that?) or any handwritten submissions. Ideally, the text should be typed and proof read before submitting it to us. We will try to spot any errors, but we cannot be responsible for errors for any copy that you submit to us for engraving. Be sure to have someone proof your text: especially people's names and dates. Although you will always receive a visual proof for approval prior to any production commencing.
ARTWORK: VECTOR VS. RASTER BASED IMAGES
The artwork is preferred in vector-based images for Engraving (line drawings - Ai .eps) as opposed to raster-based (bitmap/jpeg) images. While the shape and colour of a bitmap image might appear smooth from a distance, when viewed up close you can see the tiny individual squares and dots (pixels) that make up the image. Vector drawings are made up of objects, consisting of smooth lines and continuous colours, and are resolution-independent. When viewed up close or from a distance, vector drawings appear as smooth clean lines and edges. Vector images are easily scalable.
INCOMPATIBLE FILE FORMATS FOR GRAPHICS INCLUDE:
Word (.doc), Powerpoint (.ppt), Excel (.xls), .png, .bmp, .gif and .jpg (low resolution files from Websites). Do not rename original bitmap files as .eps, ai, or .pdf as these will NOT work.
LASER ENGRAVING GRAPHIC EXAMPLES
Artwork requirements for Engraving are as follows:
VECTOR-BASED FORMAT FILES (MADE OF LINES AND CURVES).
EPS (encapsulated postscript), AI (Adobe Illustrator) with text converted to outlines.
PDF's (Adobe Portable Document Format) may be submitted if the artwork was created in vector format with all of the fonts converted to outlines before saving as a PDF. There cannot be any embedded or linked images.
Solid black and white graphics only - no colours, shading or tints of grey.
JPEG
While they are not our preferred format, JPEGS can be used as long as they are over 300 dpi and are the actual size to be engraved or larger.
ACCEPTABLE
Vectorized eps file
Vectorized eps file - Solid black & white "TM" is a minimum of 10 pt. & converted to outlines.
10 pt. text converted to outlines.
1 pt. line weight.
NOT ACCEPTABLE
Grayscale jpg file - not to size & 72 dpi
Grayscale eps file - Contains shading "TM" is smaller than 10 pt. minimum.
8pt. text (letters will break up and fill in)
.25 pt. line weight.
The minimum text size accepted is 10 pt. Very fine-lined text may not reproduce even at the 10 pt size minimum. the minimum weight for artwork and text is 1 pt.