Artwork Guidelines
for Digitally-Printed Shrink Sleeves
At CanSource, we strive to make the artwork process as easy as possible. CanSource will provide a
template specifically for your needs. Your template(s) will be set up in Adobe Illustrator format, our
prefered software for incoming files. Please submit vector artwork (layered/editable) whenever
possible. While the original Ai file is preferred, we also accept .eps or .pdf files, so long as the editing
functions are preserved. Should other file types (.psd) require extra set up time, artwork charges
may apply. Please include the CanSource logo into the artwork, as described on the templates.
Please pay attention to “The Big Three” artwork issues:
Outline Fonts, Embed Images and Clear Space.
These three issues account for over 80% of our artwork kickbacks.
Artwork Requirements:
1.
Outline Fonts - If fonts are not outlined, they will change to our default font and become
highlighted in pink when opened in Illustrator. To prevent this, all fonts need to be outlined,
turning text into vector shapes.
Expert’s Tip: Select all text, press Ctrl+Shft+O (as in Outline).
2.
Embed Links/Images - If images and links are not embedded, they will disappear entirely
when opened in Illustrator. To prevent this, we ask that all images and links be embedded.
This can be done by locating the Links Palette (under the Window drop-down menu) and
selecting “Embed Image(s)” under the secondary drop down menu.
Expert’s Tip: Select the image, select the ”Embed” button directly below “Object” in the main menu.
3.
Clear Space - In the template, you will notice a gray box in the artwork layer. This gray box
represents the “max print area”, or the max design area for your artwork. A bleed is not
required for digitally printed shrink sleeves. Please keep the area marked “Clear” free of any
design elements. Should artwork received extend beyond the max print area, our artwork
department will clip the design down for you.
Expert’s Tip: Set up any necessary bleed to the outer green border. Cut and Paste-In-Place the
Max Print Area grey rectangle, and right-click to make a Clipping Mask.
4.
Copy Limit - You will notice that your template has two dotted red lines running down the
left and right sides. These are copy limit lines, and represent where the sleeve will overlap at
the seam. Text and pertinent design elements should not extend beyond these two lines.
Only extend background color, patterns or graphics beyond these lines.
5.
No Hard Copy Zones - To the left of the template, you will notice two areas marked as “No
Hard Copy” zones. The bottom “No Hard Copy” zone is strict, as this area of the shrink sleeve
will fold under the bottom of the can. Any elements on or below this line may experience
distortion. Please only extended background color, patterns and graphics into this zone. The
“No Hard Copy” zone at the top of the can is much more flexible, as the curve at the top lip of
the can is not as severe. We encourage the use of graphics, patterns and color up here, as well
as text such as tag lines or descriptions of your product. To minimize the risk of distortion,
crucial design elements should not sit directly over the curve of the can.
Expert’s Tip: If a solid border around the top is not your style, talk to your Artwork Specialist about
how to create a broken barrier look. This will require a custom white layer to be built, but can help your
design stand out on the shelf, as well as blend in with the silver substrate of the aluminum can.
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2018.1
CanSource ©
2120 Miller Drive, Suite G
Longmont, CO 80501
PH: 1-303-485-0583
getcans@cansource.com
www.cansource.com
Artwork Guidelines
for Digitally-Printed Shrink Sleeves
6.
CMYK Color Mode - Files must be submitted in the CMYK color mode. While RGB (red, green,
blue) is usually the default on computers, CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) is the standard
in digital printing. When files are converted from RGB to CMYK, the color can vary. Therefore,
CanSource cannot guarantee accurate color if a file is submitted in RGB color mode.
Expert’s Tip: We are happy to build a CMYK color build referenced from a PMS color. In fact, referencing
from a PMS color creates an 80% more accurate color build. Please ask your Artwork Specialist for more
information.
7.
Image Resolution - All images must have a minimum resolution of 150 dpi (dots per inch).
Images that are lower than 150 dpi may appear blurred or pixelated. For best print quality,
we suggest 300 dpi or higher.
8.
Lay Flat - The lay-flat represents the front panel of the sleeve. The hash lines on either end of
the lay flat area represent where the sleeve will be folded post-printing. The fold lines steam
out during the application process and are virtually undectable on the can. Since you are
ultimately building a 360º design, the flat, fold and center callouts on the template have little
to no effect on the design of your label. The callouts are for printing production purposes.
9.
UPC Label - The digital proofing process provides a complementary scan of every UPC label.
The scan tests the integrity of the bar code, and cannot guarantee successful scans with the
use of metallics or inverted labels. To avoid any scanning issues, the UPC label should be
placed vertically (see next page). Additionally, a solid white (or light) background with black
(or dark) bars and numbers are ideal. Any use of metallic colors or the silver of the can may
fail, and CanSource will not be financially responsible for replacing these sleeves. Lastly,
UPC labels that are inverted (black/dark background, white/light bars and numbers) are
not suggested, as they have a high tendency to fail during the proofing test.
10.
White Layer- In order to acheive 100% opacity with digitally printed shrink sleeves, you must
have a white layer backing up your artwork layer. The “white” layer has been built into the
templates for your convenience. We cannot show white on white very well, so we have chosen
the color “whitex1” to represent where white will print. You will find this in the Swatch panel
in the template. You will also notice in the white layer of the template, there is a rectangle in
this “whitex1” swatch. If 100% opacity is indeed your desired effect for your artwork, leave the
tempalte as-is. If you wish to build a custom white layer in order to play off of the metallic
silver substrate of the can, use the White Layer in the template for customization. Elements
of your design that are to be the silver of the can will be “knocked out” (in white) in the White
Layer. An easy way to describe how the Artwork Layer and White Layer should look when
wanting to utilize the silver of the can, is:
White in the Artwork Layer + White in the White Layer = Prints clear
White in the Artwork Layer + Blue in the White Layer = Prints white
Color in the Artwork Layer + White in the White Layer = Prints metallic color
Color in the Artwork Layer + Blue in the White Layer = Prints 100% opaque color
Please use the following link for a tutorial on creating a custom white layer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFCKIzRR1uo
Expert’s Tip: You can also play with opacities in both the Artwork Layer and the White Layer. In doing so,
you can achieve different effects with metallics, colors and gradients. If you do not want a color to print
entirely metallic, you can select a screen of whitex1 (50%, for example) to achieve a semi-metallic look.
2 of 3
2018.1
CanSource ©
2120 Miller Drive, Suite G
Longmont, CO 80501
PH: 1-303-485-0583
getcans@cansource.com
www.cansource.com
Artwork Guidelines
for Digitally-Printed Shrink Sleeves
Background color, patterns, graphics and text are fine in this area.
Crucial design elements should not extend directly over this line.
Please keep the clear space around
the perimeter of artwork free of any
design elements. Digitally printed
shrink sleeves do not require a bleed.
Please do not place important text or
graphics beyond the red dotted lines.
This represents where the seam will
overlap, and that content will be lost.
No crucial text, graphics or UPC in this area; background only.
UPC labels should be placed vertically to minimize distortion
and scanning issues. Avoid creating bar codes using red,
orange, light pink, light brown, yellow and metallic colors.
80 Micron Bar Width Reduction is recommended. It is best
to avoid barcodes below 70% size. Allow room for a “Quiet
Zone” so the barcode scanner can distinguish between the
bar code and other text or graphic elements.
Guide to the Layers Palette in the CanSource Templates
Please do not delete the Die and Dimensions layers.
These layers need to remain in place for printing purposes.
The CanSource logo is to be added to all artwork for quality
control purposes, per the CanSource Specifications and
Requirements.
Please design your custom white layer on the layer provided.
Please utilize the provided artwork layers for building or placing
your artwork. The CanSource sub layer can be found here for
placement of the logo, and the max print area can be used for
sizing your artwork and/or a clipping mask.
Please note that our proofing process does not include spelling or grammar check. Spelling and grammar
are included in the content that the customer is responsible for.
3 of 3
2018.1
CanSource ©
2120 Miller Drive, Suite G
Longmont, CO 80501
PH: 1-303-485-0583
getcans@cansource.com
www.cansource.com