TEMPLATES FOR ARTWORK
Below are downloadable templates, forms and file preparation specifications for custom printing and packaging creation.

PDF TEMPLATES EPS TEMPLATES

Clients wishing to replicate CDs must fill out the below form.
• Content Information Form - PDF
 • Content Information Form - HTML format

If you don't already have the Acrobat® plug-in, you can find it here.

Specifications and Requirements for Printed Components

Our Design/Labeling Department is committed to producing high quality packaging for our clients in a timely manner. We hope that by informing you of our basic requirements, we can help assure you that your labeling and packaging materials will be produced to industry specifications as quickly as possible.

Platforms

We can accept label and packaging design information on CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM and through FTP transfer in the following formats (in order of preference):

  • Quark Express
  • Adobe InDesign*
  • Adobe Illustrator*
  • Adobe Photoshop

* Save all fonts as curves in these programs.

  • Customers must include all imported graphics and fonts on your disk. A black & white or color printout of your document also must accompany customer disks.

Color

CMYK or Pantone colors only. RGB will not be accurately reproduced in print. High Speed can produce in-house labels using a CMYK process. In house printing will not be 100% accurate when using Pantone colors. Do not send files in which color separations are made in Photoshop – regardless of channel usage – unless you are printing 4-color process.



Film and Printing Requirements

  • Composite plate ready film. We use a variety of printing processes including: 1-color, 2-color, PMS, spot, and 4-color process. One complete piece of film is required for each ink. This means that all color separations, halftones, type, etc. need to be stripped together and composited with crop marks and registration marks on all negatives.
  • A color matchprint must be sent with each individual job, or High Speed Video can provide matchprints at an additional cost. High Speed will not be responsible for colors if a color matchprint is not furnished. Also, a mock-up needs to be furnished for page placement, folding, etc. We can also provide 3M Rainbows or bluelines from electronic files.
  • Templates are available for layout purposes. All files must be to the exact specifications of the job you are having printed plus a 1/16" to 1/8" bleed for trimming purposes. (Absolute minimum bleed is 1/16").
  • For custom packaging, allow approximately 10-12 working days from final client approval.
    (Actual lead times will vary, ask your sales representative for details.)


CD Screen Printing Specifications 

Film Requirements

For the highest quality reproduction, we prefer client supplied files and we will output films. However, if you prefer to supply films, please follow the specifications.

  • A film positive, right reading, emulsion side up, with a minimum resolution of 2400 dpi. Film thickness should be 4mil (.10mm).
  • Log density of 3.5 for flat printing, 4.0 for halftone and line art. Clarity in film base should have a log density between 0.0 and 0.2 and be optically clear. The film should also be free from contamination, scratches and creases.
  • Minimum film size is 8" x8".
  • High Speed's CD printable areas are:
    1. 43.6mm-118mm; Standard circle
    2. 34mm-118mm; Standard circle including mirror band.
    3. 26mm-118mm; Edge to edge and must include a white knockout ring between 34mm and 43.6mm diameters.
  • If using a solid white base color, a film positive, emulsion side up, with a .5pt choke on all edges should be supplied.
  • The film for the base color must match the graphics and must be specified on the order "Print white base color".
  • Please refer to CD Printing Specifications Template.
  • Recommended line screen is 85lpi with a maximum of 100lpi.
  • Dot shape must be elliptical and within the 20-80% dot range.
  • Only linear gradations may be used. Radial gradations will produce a moire.
  • Shipping: each film to be separately slip-sheeted, secured, and thoroughly protected to prevent scratching, puncturing or folding.

Type Size/Line WidthType Size/Line Width

  • Minimum regular type size is 4pt (.056"/1.40mm).

  • Minimum serif width is 0.5pt (.007"/0.175mm).
  • Minimum character line width is 0.5pt (.07"/1.75mm).
  • Minimum reverse character line width is 0.75pt (.01"/0.265mm).
  • Bold face type preferred. For best results, use a Helvetica bold-type font.
  • For boxes, circles, and rules, follow regular and reverse minimums above.

Registration

  • Registration marks must be included.
  • Location: 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions.
  • Position: 170mm (5.12"/30picas, 11pts) outer diameter outside the image area (3.346" from center).
  • Cross hairs: must be 21mm long, with a width of .25mm maximum.
  • Registration dots must also be included: Position the four registration dots, each 2mm in diameter, 45mm from the center line, and 90mm from each other.

Proofs (required)

  • Any process artwork must have a color proof supplied by the customer.

Halftone, Screen Tint & 4-color Process Separations

  • Scanning: Images to be scanned at double the line screen of final output.
  • Screen ruling: 85-100lpi is recommended,
  • Dot Shape: Elliptical.
  • Ink density scanner setting (GCR) from 250-280%, depending on artwork (transparency).
  • Screen angle for one-color halftones: 45° (Black).
  • Color separation should be produced exclusively for screen-printing, using elliptical dots. Lithographic separations cannot be used.
  • Separation tonal ranges should be adjusted to be no less than 20% and no greater than 80%.
  • The separations should be angled to avoid a moiré pattern.
  • Halftones should be angled in this order:

--------1st halftone in sequence: 45°

--------2nd halftone in sequence: 75°

--------3rd halftone in sequence: 105°

  • For 4-color process, colors should be angled in this order:

--------------------------C: -57 °

--------------------------M: -37°

--------------------------Y: +7 °

--------------------------K: -97 °



Type Size/Line WidthType Size/Line Width

  • Minimum regular type size is 4pt Bold (.056"/1.40mm).

  • Minimum serif width is 0.5pt (.007"/0.175mm).
  • Minimum character line width is 0.5pt (.07"/1.75mm).
  • Minimum reverse character line width is 0.75pt (.01"/0.265mm).
  • Bold face type preferred. For best results, use a Helvetica bold-type font.
  • For boxes, circles, and rules, follow regular and reverse minimums above.

Registration

  • Registration marks must be included.
  • Location: 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions.
  • Position: 170mm (5.12"/30picas, 11pts) outer diameter outside the image area (3.346" from center).
  • Cross hairs: must be 21mm long, with a width of .25mm maximum.
  • Registration dots must also be included: Position the four registration dots, each 2mm in diameter, 45mm from the center line, and 90mm from each other.

Proofs (required)

  • Any process artwork must have a color proof supplied by the customer.

Halftone, Screen Tint & 4-color Process Separations

  • Scanning: Images to be scanned at double the line screen of final output.
  • Screen ruling: 85-100lpi is recommended,
  • Dot Shape: Elliptical.
  • Ink density scanner setting (GCR) from 250-280%, depending on artwork (transparency).
  • Screen angle for one-color halftones: 45° (Black).
  • Color separation should be produced exclusively for screen-printing, using elliptical dots. Lithographic separations cannot be used.
  • Separation tonal ranges should be adjusted to be no less than 20% and no greater than 80%.
  • The separations should be angled to avoid a moiré pattern.
  • Halftones should be angled in this order:

---------1st halftone in sequence: 45°

---------2nd halftone in sequence: 75°

---------3rd halftone in sequence: 105°

  • For 4-color process, colors should be angled in this order:

--------------------------C: -57 °

--------------------------M: -37 °

--------------------------Y: +7 °

---------------------------K: -97 °

Ink Colors

  • We recommend that colors do not overprint with the exception of black, which will print on top of other colors.
  • All Pantone colors must be identified with their appropriate PMS numbers.
  • Colors printed on a disc substrate may vary slightly from a paper swatch.

Film Identification

Only one color per film. All halftone, screen tints, 4-color process and background films must be clearly marked indicating the following on each film:

---Color

---Screen Ruling

---Screen angle

---Dot Shape

---% of GCR used

---Total number of colors

---Title and selection number

Standard Content

The appropriate "Compact Disc" logo must be seen clearly on the disc. This is an internationally registered and protected trademark; it must not be altered in any way. No deviations are permitted.

Designation of Origin

The designation "Made in the U.S.A." must be printed on discs designated for export.

Compensation Curve
It is essential when you create the label films using halftone, duotone, tritone or 4-color process to use a compensation curve to help reduce dot loss and dot gain.

  • 5%, the density of the film must be 13%
  • 10%, the density of the film must be 18%
  • 20%, the density of the film must be 28%
  • 30%, the density of the film must be 38%
  • 40%, the density of the film must be 47%
  • 50%, the density of the film must be 56%
  • 60%, the density of the film must be 65%
  • 70%, the density of the film must be 73%
  • 80%, the density of the film must be 82%
  • 90%, the density of the film must be 92%
  • 100%, the density of the film must be 100%
If you have any questions about how your artwork should be presented or you have any additional questions about artwork specifications, please call Rebecca Larson, or email her at rlarson@hspeed.com



Disc or Printed Materials
Tips for streamlining artwork turnaround time.
  • We recommend your disc face art be in Pantone or PMS format. CMYK is acceptable for disc print however photos used in artwork will print much coarser than they appear on screen or on proof paper. Packaging products are printed CMYK with upcharges for Pantone colors.

  • It’s best to have the designer call ahead for information on file set up and templates for their project.We can discuss necessary elements, such as bleeds, fonts and proofs.

  • Artwork provided to HSV, TWD, VLC, VTI and APM is considered ready for production and costs are incurred at that time. All supplied files are considered ‘final’ and ready to go to output. Changes made after films are created will incur additional cost. Changes to client provided artwork may affect our turn around time.

  • Primary graphic programs:
    Mac files are preferred.
    • Potential up-charge (set up fee) for PC film output.
    • In order of preference: Quark, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop
    • We cannot accept Microsoft Word or Powerpoint Documents
    • Adobe Acrobat PDF are acceptable with NO template and
      color separations done page by page.
    • Be sure to include proofs or any information that will be necessary for film output.

  • Format files as vector EPS files in Illustrator with text saved as outlines to eliminate fonts.

  • Format files as unflattened PSD files or TIFF in Photoshop.
    • Photoshop is designed for photos. Text created in Photoshop, especially small text,
      will appear jagged or pixilated when printed.
    • 300 DPI resolution is preferred. If the original scan is not 300 DPI,
      we cannot improve on that image.
    • Images pulled from a website are 72 DPI and cannot be improved.

  • A white flood is a coat of white ink printed under your image.
    We can print directly on the silver or print a coat of white ink first.
    Keep in mind that everything white in your proof is only white with the flood.
    If we do not print the white flood the white in the proof would be silver.

  • Send all artwork, fonts and linked graphics to HSV attention
    Rebecca (rlarson@hspeed.com), Cheryl (cdinsdale@hspeed.com) or Craig (ctremblay@hspeed.com)

  • We do have an FTP site available.
    Here are the instructions to log on to our FTP site:
    We recommend logging on using Fetch, browsers tend to get hung up.
    Be sure to compress all files before posting.

    Host: ftp.hspeed.com
    User id: hsvart (all lower case, one word)
    Password: 1234

    Please send an email letting us know that the files are posted when finished.
    Files under 5 meg, compressed (with Stuffit, Zip) can be sent via email.

  • Upon completion of films & proofs, the turn around time for shipping is approximately 10 - 12 working days from final approval.
    (Actual lead times will vary, ask your sales representative for details.)

***A NOTE ABOUT ON DISC PRINTING***
Although we have a great deal of experience with printing high quality projects, screen printing is not as precise as compared to printing on paper - tonal ranges aren't as wide nor as subtle. It should be understood that screen percentages less than 20% may not show up at all and screen tints over 85% may likely print as solid color. Photos used in artwork will print much coarser than how they appear in the proof due to the line screen used in the screen printing process and there may be some loss of detail.


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