ARTWORK

WE CAN HELP YOU MAKE THE BEST IMPRESSION

Because we offer so many products, requirements vary with every order – so we’re here to help you with your art.

· If you have digital (computer) art files, e-mail them to us and we’ll assess them. If you need help creating usable art, our experienced art department is here to help. Our charges are reasonable, and we keep your art on file indefinitely.

· If you don’t have any digital files, your TAG Consultant can help you find the right hardcopy for us to digitally re-create.

Most Imprints Require “Vector” Art
EPS, AI (Adobe Illustrator) and PDF are the most common formats that can contain vectors. JPG, GIF, TIF and PSD files are never vector.

Acceptable File Formats
· Adobe Illustrator (.ai, .eps) (Recommended)

· Adobe Acrobat – Vector Graphic(.pdf )

The following formats are also acceptable but may involve redrawing the logo and additional charges. The resolution of artwork is recommended at 300 dpi:

· JPEG Image (.jpg)

· TIFF Image (.tiff)

· Bitmap Image (.bmp)

· GIF Image (.gif)

· Word (.doc)

TAG to the Rescue
It is also possible to redraw artwork from business cards etc.
Artwork should be submitted along with specific colour indications in Pantone/PMS references. If the Pantone Colour is unknown we will match the colours as close as possible for you.

Sending Artwork:
Please send artwork to sales@tagpm.com.au

Glossary of Terms
EPS: (Encapsulated Postscript). EPS files are the preferred format for most logo printing applications. Logos and fonts must be converted to outlines or vector curves prior to transmission, disk or CD. EPS files an also be used to transfer photographic images. Illustrator is the preferred program that can create EPS files suitable for TAG branding applications.

EPS VECTOR ARTWOK: Vector images are made up of lines and curves joined together via anchor points set by mathematical calculations. They are ideal for logos and line drawings. They always have sharp edges and are scalable to any size. Easy to edit colours (PMS or CMYK) and is the industry standard artwork format (.eps or .ai).

BITMAP: Bitmap images are made up of coloured pixels (Tiny dots) set in rows and columns. The quality and clarity relies on the resolution of the image.

JPEG: (Joint Photographers Expert Group). JPEG files are a compression format used for making graphic files smaller. Supply photographic images to TAG as jpeg files (300dpi minimum resolution) but not logos. Used to display photographs and scanned images via email.

TIFF FILE: (Tagged Image File Format). TIFF files are uncompressed JPEG files. Supply photographic images to TAG as TIFF files, but not logos.

PDF FORMAT: (Portable Doc Format). Ideal file format for sending viewing images to TAG.,
PDF files are not suitable for artwork.

DPI: Dots per inch.

LPI: Lines per inch.

PPI: Pixels per inch.

RESOLUTION: The optical graphics resolution is the real maximum resolution that an input device, such as a scanner or digital camera, can render a bitmap image.

SPOT COLOUR: Printing of a single colour. Multiple spot colours can be used to create multi colour art.

CMYK: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key (aka – Black).
A 4 colour process printing system used to print full colour or half tone photographic images. Process colour ink is perfect for photographic quality printing.

4 COLOUR PROCESS: Offset printing using colours made up of percentages of CMYK dots. Used in printing photographic images on items such as mouse mats and printed material such as brochures and point of sale.

RGB: Red, green and blue are the 3 colours that are used by monitors to display images. They are called additive colours because the more of each of each RGB colour that is added, the brighter the resultant colour. 100% of RGB will produce white.

PMS: Pantone Matching System – refer to our PMS chart for colour matching. The PMS system is the numbering ink system used by all printers.

REDRAW: A redraw is achieved by precisely tracing over a bitmap image (eg. jpeg) with a vector program (eg. Illustrator). To complete the process, the bitmap image is removed, leaving a perfect vector image that is ready for applying PMS colours, scaling etc…. and saving as an .eps or an .ai file.

FONTS: 3 things to remember when selecting a font…..1.Clarity. 2. Clarity. 3. Clarity.
Fonts are the computer equivalent of typefaces or characters.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION – DECORATION METHODS

Embroidery
A process whereby a computerised embroidery machine stitches coloured threads into the material. This process is usually available on cotton, canvas, microfibre, polyester and nylon products.

Pricing is based on the stitch count. Embroidery cannot be PMS matched.

Screen Printing
The most versatile of all the printing processes. Fine detail through to huge print areas, vibrant colours on an endless range of materials – rigid and flexible plastics, vinyl, fabric, metal, glass etc. This is the only process that allows the printing of weatherproof, long-life outdoor inks, so if this is the application you need, screen printing is the answer.

Plastisol Printing
Plastisol transfers are used when fine detail is required when printing on items such as Caps, Clothing or Bags.

Laser Engraving
A process whereby a laser is used to burn an impression into the coated surface or basic material of any item. Available on metal products such as key tags, pens, metal mugs etc.

Sublimation Printing
Is a heat transfer method of imprint using heat-activated dyes that “sublimate” into the fabric; becoming part of the fabric, not an imprint sitting on top of the fabric.

Digital Printing
Digital printing is used for printing directly onto garments with full colour process. The digital colour revolution is hitting the industry in a big way –full colour, short or long run printing, with Polo Shirts, Tee Shirts, business cards to banners produced through high-end lasers and wide format inkjet printers.

Pad Printing
Ever wondered how golf balls are printed? Pad printing allows the printing of convex, concave, recessed and discontinuous surfaces well outside the capabilities of other printing processes. Pad printing is ideal for moulded promotional products such as pens, letter and bottle openers etc. and any plastic, ceramic or metal components.

Decal Printing
Decals are used for decorating on coffee mugs and glassware. A spot colour or 4 colour process decal is pre-printed, and then fired onto the coffee mug or glass. Costs are specified for one side or two sides (full wrap decal).

General printing – Offset
Contrary to popular belief, the offset press has not yet been made obsolete. Printed stationery, brochures, posters – in fact, any paper-based product can be printed using this method. Used in printing photographic images on items such as mouse mats and printed material such as brochures and point of sale.

Offset printing is a process of transferring ink from a metal printing plate to a rubber- covered cylinder. Used on more complex artworks and for higher quantity runs.

Four Colour Process
A photo-quality full colour image is created by laying 4 colours (CMYK – cyan, magenta, yellow and black) on top of each other. The colour mix and density of each colour will determine the final colour of the picture.

Blind Stamp
A process whereby a die is pressed into the surface of a material, resulting in a depressed imprint. This process is usually available on vinyl, leather and faux leather products.

Deboss
A process virtually identical to blind stamping, whereby a die is pressed into the surface of a material resulting in a depressed imprint. This process is usually available on vinyl, leather and faux leather products.

Deboss with Colour Fill
Combination of debossing and colouring, debossed then filled with colour (enamel or synthetic colour).

Embossed
Machine presses a die into the surface of the material, resulting in a depressed area around the imprint desired. Imprint appears to be raised.

Etched
Etching is a method whereby a photographic process prepares a film mask to etch into the glass or crystal product.

Die Struck
A reverse die is made of the imprint, and then machine struck onto the metal surface. Die-struck pieces are predominantly metal (lapel pins, key rigs, etc.) and may be colour filled.

Hot Foil Stamping
Heat is used to leave a foil imprint of the design on the surface. Available in a variety of colours but can only be implemented in a single colour for the entire design.