EMBRACE S CHARM

29 S Fox Street, Denver CO 80223 * inklounge.com * (303) 321-7101

basic art & trapping guidelinesUnderstanding how to set up files for screenprinting can be a bit tricky which is why we’ve put together some information to help you out. The following pages have some basic information that will help you get going if you have a good understanding of working digitally with various programs. Feel free to give us a call if you have any questions.

Please note: for all commercial printing projects we will confirm files before printing

Art * layersArt Specifications

File Type: AI, PSD, PDF: please make sure to rasterize or convert all type and if using illustrator either embed images or send any linked imagesImage Resolution: if using photoshop makes sure file is 300dpi at 100% size. In Illustrator or InDesign any placed images (jpeg/tif) need to be 300dpi at 100% size File Dimension and Registration Marks: please see templates for page size as you need to include room for registration and crop marks Art: add 1/8 bleed if going to the edgeColors/Layers: each color should be on a separate layer - usually print light to dark so lighter color would be 1st layer, darker color 2nd layer, registration marks 3rd layer

Print example

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example: 1st color (prints light brown) example: 2nd color (prints dark brown) example: final printed on tan paper

* 1st Layer (prints golden brown) * 2nd Layer (prints dark brown) * Final Printed on Tan Paper

Design/Printing Issues: * beware of solid coverage - 30-50% coverage is OK, otherwise paper may curl - use the paper color and

negative space to your advantage * line thickness should be above 1pt to get a good exposure - including typography thickness * all art must be 100% black or 100% white - no grey tones or gradients due to exposure process. In order to

obtain the illusion of greytones, art must be converted to a bitmap no higher than 30lpi at 100% size.

registration * papera overprinting (super easy)

* printing colors (usually darker on top) right on top of another color* works well for smaller items or patterns

b trapping (easy) * when colors touch a relationship needs to be formed where one color has a bit of overlap* you may be able to accomplish with applying a stroke (2-6pts) or expanding the shape* if registration is off then paper color will show

C trapping (trickier) * when colors are not fully contained it becomes a bit tricker as you need to adjust where it meets the paper* an angle is created in case you are off a wee bit and not so obvious

A.1: overprinting B: trapped easy example B: red changed to transparent to show trap

B: trapped (out of registration) C: trapped trickier example C: red changed to transparent to show trap

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registration * fabrica wet on wet (super easy)

* printing colors that do not touch* easy alignment and no drying needed in-between

b overprinting (easy) * printing colors (usually darker on top) right on top of another color* helpful if first color is flashed with heat before second color is printed on top so inks don’t bleed into eachother* best if no more than 1 color is printed on top of another* check how inks wash when overprinted if white is not the first color, and before doing a large run

C trapping (trickier) * when colors touch a relationship needs to be formed where one color prints exactly next to the other* usually you can “butt” trap where the colors align exactly next to each other, but you may need to add a minor

stroke (.5-1pt) depending on how much experience you have printing multiple colors * if registration is off then shirt color will show

B: overprinting

C: trapping separation example with final

A: wet on wet easy example

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Art * file typesgeneral guidelines

* artwork needs to be 100% B&W, no grey tones unless converted to a halftone * art should be no less than 300dpi at 100% size of printing

Vector (Adobe Illustrator / Corel Draw)* vector art tends to give you the best crisp edges* ability to resize to any proportion

raster (pixel based - Adobe Photoshop)* used for converting photographs to halftones or high contrast images* paper LPI: 10-45 depending on the effect your looking to achieve* fabric LPI: 10-30 depending on the effect your looking to achieve

registration marks* ideal for printing and aligning multiple colors on paper or fabic* also good for centering single color art on fabric

Original Raster Image 100% with registration and crop marks

Image converted to vector: 300%

Raster Image: 300%

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using photos* convert to a halftone (bitmap)

* as there is no true greytone when exposing a screen, you need to create the illusion of a tonal range by converting to a bitmap in Photoshop - which is made up of small dots (or lines) at various sizes

* printing is tricky and takes practice to achieve finer halftone patterns* finer dots (or lines) are difficult as the ink will spread which results in filling in and creating "blotchy" areas

* below are screen shots from photshop to help converting greyscale images to bitmaps* image should be 300dpi greyscale at 100% size you are printing* generally increase contrast before converting to bitmap to help image be less “muddy”* paper: 10-45 is a good range, angle only matters if you are doing CMYK printing* fabric: 10-30 is a good range, angle only matters if you are doing CMYK printing* you may adjust frequency/angle/shape as needed for aesthetic desire* shape: usually ellipse (round) but you can also change to other shapes depending on your design

Dialogue 1: bitmap settings

Original Greyscale Image at 300dpi

Converted to a Bitmap Image at 30lpi

Dialogue 2: halftone screen settings

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* please remember – this is advanced and takes a fair amount of technical skill to create digital files –and practice to print with good results