Graphics - Supplying Files

In addition to offering custom design services, Maritime Labels & Packaging welcomes you to supply  your own press ready graphics files. We love to print, and supplying your graphics is a quick and easy process. Keep in mind some of the important details we've outlined for you below. 

To pause a slide, hover your mouse over the content. 

  • File Formats, Software, and VersionsEPS file

    All file versions supplied should be compatible with Adobe Illustrator CS6 for vector format files or Adobe Photoshop CS6 for raster format files. Maritime Labels & Packaging works on the Macintosh platform and can accept a variety of file formats including PDF, EPS, AI, PSD, and more. Our preferred format is vector based files editable with Adobe Illustrator. Files saved as "High Quality Print" PDF versions work well.


    Fonts should be converted to outlines (or strokes). If you will require us to edit content, you may supply files with fonts and include the fonts used in your file separately. 

    If your order contains multiple files (multiple SKU's or different versions), please supply each as an individual file. 

  • Colour SpaceFiles should be designed with and saved in a CMYK colour space. RGB colour spaces provide a wider gamut of perceptual colour on computer monitors but can convert to CMYK an other process colour ink combinations with unexpected results. 

    Raster based files and images used in vector based designs (images "placed" in an Illustrator design) should be a minimum of 300dpi at actual print size. This ensures there is enough detail and colour information for a successful print. Images which are placed in a vector file should be embedded before sending them to us. 
    Pantone Spot Colour Swatches
    Take special note of spot colour swatches used in your file. Spot colour type swatches are typically intended to be separated and printed as special colour inks. Spot colour swatches are converted to predefined process colour equivalents. If your design includes a spot colour Pantone swatch, it will be converted to specific process colour values to replicate the spot colour as closely as possible.  Keep swatches as "process colour" types, unless you intend them to replicate a certain spot colour as closely as possible. 

  • If your printing project requires white ink under layers (for metallic, clear or other substrates without a white point), all areas which require white ink lay down should be placed ON TOP of the graphics, coded as a spot colour swatch called "White", and set to overprint. Ideally, the shape should be choked back 0.1 pt to avoid the white bleeding out from the colours on top, although it's seldom an issue.

    Any objects coded as the "White" spot colour and set to overprint will be printed underneath all other colours, blocking the material below it. 

  • Bleeds: If your design includes colour or images covering the entire finished label surface without white space around the edges, then your file will include bleeds.  Bleeds are the extra space required to allow colours and images to carry outside of the intended cut line.  Files that require bleeds should include 1/16" (0.0625") bleeds in every direction. For example, if your label is designed to be a 3.25" x 3.25" circle and includes a full colour image in the background, the total dimensions including the bleed is 3.375" x 3.375". The supplied file should include a mask to the overall dimensions including bleeds so that any other elements in the file do not influence its bounding box.  For files that have no bleeds, a false bleed stroke of 1% black should be placed in the file with it set to "align stroke to inside". 
    Bleeds & Margins
    Margins: Clear space inside the intended cut line are margins. A minimum of 1/16" (0.0625") margin should be maintained for borders and text, or other elements that should be kept clear of the cut line. 

    Die lines: Please remove any lines which indicate a cut line. Depending how your file is constructed, the line may print and could be difficult for us to remove. 

    Allowances for bleeds and margins help to allow for minor shifts in the die-cutting process, ensuring there is sufficient space to avoid clipping of information or unwanted white space.
  • Maritime Labels & Packaging can accept files by email. Our servers can accept emails up to 30MB each. It is helpful to reduce file sizes and avoid corrupt files during email transfer by attaching them as ZIP files. This is also useful when there are multiple files - place each in a folder and ZIP the folder so there is only one attachment. 
    File Transfer Options
    For larger files or when there are issues sending us an email with a file attachment, files can be uploaded to our Dropbox account, a web based FTP service. Please contact us for further information. 

    We have a file upload form available if you're not familiar with FTP client software or its settings. This form is available to transfer the files to us, and is also available when submitting a quote form. 

    Still can't transfer the files to us? You can burn your files to a CD or DVD or transfer them to a USB stick and send them to us by mail or courier.