File Preparation For Die Cut Cards
Start Here
The standard die cut templates are located
on our website at: http://www.simplycolorlab.
com/standard-die-cut-templates.html
The templates have two guide layers, Guide
Layer 1 and Guide Layer 2. Be sure to
DELETE these layers before submitting your
cards in ROES.
Don’t Forget!
There MUST be full bleed
on your card. All artwork
and images MUST extend
to the edge of the file. This
is important to ensure a
clean cut.
Step 1: Open template file in Photoshop.
Notice the two guide layers in the layers
palette window. Guide Layer 1 is the final
size and shape your card will be. Use this
layer to present to clients. Guide Layer 2
shows the instructions and the "Live" area.
Keep any important design and typography
within this area.
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Step 2: Design your card, placing all design *Make sure all important design elements
and text are within the Live Area.
work under the guide layers.
Step 3: Once design is complete, turn off
Guide Layer 2. This will be the final shape cut
of card. Use this guide layer to present final
design to clients.
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Step 4: To ensure full bleed, set Guide Layer
1 at 50% opacity in layers palette window. In
the image above, the highlighted area shows
where more bleed is needed.
Step 5: To make image/artwork full bleed,
it can be resized, stretched, or mirrored.
Mirroring is helpful if you do not want to
change the position of your images.
To mirror, copy the layer. Pull a guide from
the ruler on the left to the edge of the
image. Select the marquee tool. Select the
area to be mirrored.
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Step 6: Select the free transform tool under
the edit drop down menu. Pull the opposite
center point on your selected area over to
cover the area needing bleed.
Step 7: Double check your image with Guide
Layer 1 at 50% opacity to ensure there is full
bleed on your card.
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Step 8: Delete ALL Guide Layers. Flatten your
image and “Save As” a High Quality JPEG (12).
Don’t Forget!
It is very important and
critical that the guide layers
are deleted. If these layers
are not deleted, a hold will
be placed on your order
and you will be contacted
for new files.
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