Artwork Guidelines

Artwork must follow the artwork guidelines in order to receive your products as quickly as possible. Please review the file prep and submission requirements carefully as missing any of these items can cause a delay in the approval process.

Please ensure each design or SKU is saved as separate files.

Using Layout Templates - We do not require use of our own templates. However, there are guidelines for submitting artwork on any provided or customer supplied templates:

  1. Artwork and Dieline MUST be on separate named layers in the file.

  2. All features/embellishments must be clearly defined.

  3. Printed on Hemp is not responsible for artwork left on dieline layers.

CMYK Color Mode - File must be set up in the CMYK color mode without ANY RGB elements. This includes linked or placed images. 

Black vs. Rich Black - For a darker, more intense black, use rich black instead of 100% black ink alone. We suggest a rich black value of C50, M40, Y40, K100 for all printed products to achieve the best results.

It's common for the default black in Adobe Photoshop to be used instead of our recommended rich black formula. The default value of C75, M68, Y67, K90, which results from converting RGB black to CMYK, does not produce a true rich black. This often leads to a muddy appearance due to an oversaturated color build.

Outline Text - All text should be converted to outlines. When this is not possible, please provide all fonts.

Minimum Font Size - Font sizes should not be smaller than 6pt to print best and be legible. Be careful of thin weight fonts when choosing a smaller size, printed text at this size and weight is often illegible.

Typos & Grammar - Make sure to spell check and proofread documents in detail before sending to print. Printers assume no responsibility for typographical errors or grammatical mistakes.

Resolution - For an image to print properly, its resolution must be at least 300 dots per inch (DPI) at the final output size. Files with resolutions higher than 300dpi are fine to send for print, but not necessary, and the higher resolution will not improve the printed quality of your project. Embedded Bitmap or line art should have a resolution of 1200 dpi. Artwork set up in Illustrator should have the images embedded or provided with your file(s).

Thickness of Lines - When designing for print, make sure any lines in your files are at least 0.25 points or 0.003 inches thick.

Document Page Set Up and File Size - Design files should be built to the final cut-trimmed size, plus bleed allowance. That means the edges of the design should be 1/4-inch larger than the actual finished size of the project. For example, a 4x6-inch postcard should be built as a 4.25 x 6.25-inch graphic file to account for bleed allowance.

Bleed - A minimum of 0.125 inches bleed is required on all sides of the document.

Safe Zones - Designs for print should not include any text or images in the Safe Zones — the space 1/8″-inch from the final trimmed size. Text or content in the Safe Zones could potentially be cut off when your printed document is trimmed down to size. Keep any text or important graphics away from any creases, folds or perforations by at least 0.125”

Embellishments of Metallic, Embossing, or Debossing Features - Customers must provide a clear definition of these areas on a separate layer in their file.

Overprint - We are not responsible for any artwork (text, image or otherwise) that is set to overprint by the customer.

Missing Or Hidden Elements - Make sure to reveal, show all or unhide any elements that might be hidden.

If your artwork was built in layers - keep them. Do not flatten or merge layers.

Barcodes and QR Codes - For best results, QR codes and barcodes should be set up with a white background with black bars for maximum scan-ability. If a different and nonstandard color combination, it is recommended that you test the barcode with several types of scanners to ensure readability. We cannot accept responsibility for barcode presentations that end up being hard to scan.

Acceptable file formats - we accept final artwork in the following format and their file name extensions are shown in the list below:

  • Adobe Acrobat – .PDF

  • Adobe Illustrator – .AI or .EPS

  • Adobe InDesign – .INDD

  • Adobe Photoshop – .PSD

  • Indesign format files must Include fonts and any placed images.

  • When working in Adobe InDesign to create a PDF, be sure to embed the fonts when exporting the document as a .PDF for print.

  • If your project is designed in Adobe Photoshop, flatten your image before generating a .PDF file to send for print. This will rasterize your fonts to prevent font issues.

Macintosh and Windows files are accepted.

Press Proofs - We can provide physical press proofs upon customer request. Please contact your customer service person for a press proof quote. Digital PDF proofs must be approved prior to press proofs being completed.