GUIDELINES FOR PREPARING ARTWORK

VERY IMPORTANT!!! Our printers will ONLY accept press ready PDFs created from their Quark Xpress templates.

Download these guidelines
CD templates
CD label templates
CD/DVD dual disc templates
LP templates
DVD templates

Quark Xpress:
All artwork must be supplied as high resolution press-ready PDFs.
Please use the printer’s templates, provided here in Quark / PDF format.

PDFs not supplied to these templates are unacceptable.
For additional templates (digipaks, roll-fold booklets, etc.) please contact us directly.

If you are unsure about creating PDFs, we can accept native Quark files (up to 6.5 Mac / PC) with all supporting files and fonts.

Indesign:
Import the template PDF into Indesign and use this as a guide for creating your layout. Please ensure this is on a separate layer from the artwork.
If you are using Indesign, you must save your layouts as EPS files (CS or below) so we can place artwork into the correct Quark templates.

Illustrator:
Import the template PDF into Illustrator and use this as a guide for creating your layout. Please ensure this is on a separate layer from the artwork.
Any artwork supplied as Illustrator files must be saved to CS or below so we can place artwork into the correct Quark templates.

Photoshop:
Import the template PDF into Photoshop and use this as a guide for creating your layout. Please ensure this is on a separate layer to the artwork.
Photoshop files must be supplied layered with all fonts rasterized. All Photoshop files must be 300dpi resolution / CMYK.

Guidelines for supplying print-ready artwork
· Your PDF document width must match the Quark document width exactly (e.g. backcard – 201mm).
· All fonts must be included. Please embed all fonts in your PDF settings.
· All artwork must include a minimum bleed of 3mm all the way round. Look at the key on the template for bleed/trim guides.
· Stitched booklets must be supplied as PRINTER’S SPREADS. For an 8pg booklet this means Page 8 & Page 1 / Page 2 & Page 7 / etc. Layouts supplied as reader’s spreads or single pages are not acceptable.
· All images must be minimum 300dpi resolution.
· Colour images must be saved as CMYK.
· All colours must be set up correctly in Quark: any new colours must be pantone or CMYK set to process separation.
· Use the Device N setting in Quark to correctly output spot colours.
· Barcode images must be 100% black on a white background to scan correctly. Ensure these are not output as CMYK.
· Because your artwork has been printed elsewhere in the past does not mean that it is acceptable to our printers - it must be re-supplied to the required specifications.

All distributed titles must carry a PHD logo (available on request) and the following text on the backcard:
Distributed by Plastic Head Music Distribution Ltd.
Avtech House, Hithercroft Road, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 9DA
Email: info@plastichead.com www.plastichead.com

CD On-body Artwork
Please sue the Quark template Deluxe_Template.qxt
Our pressing plant requires CD on-body artwork as high resolution press ready PDFs.
When creating the PDF please ensure registration is turned off and the PDF paper width is set to 120mm.
Ensure the centre hole is visible.
Any pantones must be noted on the PDF.
Please specify whether you require a white or silver base.

Uploading Artwork Files
Please upload artwork files to our FTP:
ftp server = ftp.plastichead.com or ftp://ftp.plastichead.com (Windows Explorer)
username = phdftp
password = headplast1c
Ensure you upload files to the ‘graphics’ folder, and NOT to the root.

Artwork not to the specification supplied will incur extra artwork charges and will result in a delay in production.

If you are unsure about any of the above artwork requirements – please contact us BEFORE submitting any artwork.

Any additional work carried out by Plastic Head will be charged at our hourly rate (currently £45 per hour).