Artwork Specifications Page
How to Design a Label, Decal, or Sticker
ARTWORK REQUIREMENTS
Please follow these general guidelines when preparing your digital files for printing. It will reduce the time required on our end to get your files ready for production. Thank you!
Fonts
Do not create text with four color process. Text should consist of one process or spot color to avoid registration issues. Convert all text in document to outlines. If this is not possible you will have to supply us with all the font files used in your document. If your fonts are not included we will have to search our library which could be extremely time consuming and not always provide us with an exact match to the one(s) used in your document. NOTE: If your document was created in Quark, please make sure there are no attributes added to the characters such as Bold, or Outline etc. You can, however, choose fonts in the pull-down menu that already exist as “Bold”versions etc. These rules assist with compliance for transportation.
Applications/File Formats
We prefer to work with EPS or high-resolution PDFs, but will accept TIFF & hi-res JPG files in certain circumstances. We may be able to use other file formats if they were created with Adobe Illustrator, Quark Xpress, InDesign, or Photoshop. If sending files with non-vector elements, please save native files with layers intact. Do not create artwork in Microsoft Publisher as it produces low resolution files.
Linked Images
Don’t forget to include the original files of all images that have been linked to your document. Hint: In Quark use the”collect for output”function or”Usage” if you are unsure of what images to include.
Image Quality
All images should be supplied at actual size and uncompressed with a resolution of 300 DPI. Any RGB images should be converted to CMYK, or they will not separate correctly. If the background bleeds to the edge of the label, please extend it .125″ past the label edges. This ensures that your Food, Beverage, and Personal Care labels are legible and look amazing, too.
File Transport
You may send us your artwork by postal mail or you can email it to us (if it is under 10 mb).
Blends/Gradients/Screens or Tints
Keep all color tints (screens) at 4% or higher. There can be no gradients that end at zero percent! Colors that drop off at or near 0% in your supplied files may produce an undesirable rough edge on press that may not be visible on the digital inkjet proof we provide for your approval.
Colors*
Make sure any black objects in your artwork are 100% Black(K) and not percentages of CMYK. This is especially important for artwork that contains UPCs.
*Spot color selection should be limited to a 7 color maximum per UV-coated label and an 8 color maximum per laminated label. Labels that do not meet these requirements will have to be run through our press twice for an additional charge.
Your Market Labeling Solutions
Northern Label is the Midwest’s premier custom label manufacturer. We engineer heavy-duty, highly-versitile, and compliant labels with seamless global shipping. Explore our other commercial manufacturing solutions to find the perfect fit for your production facility:
- Cut & Stack Labels: A highly efficient, liner-less solution designed for high-volume, glue-applied packaging magazines.
- Roll Fed Labels: Engineered specifically for 360-degree, wrap-around application on automated, high-speed packaging lines.
- Thermal Transfer Labels: The industry standard for on-demand variable data, sequential numbering, barcodes, and rigorous supply chain tracking.
- Pressure-Sensitive Labels: The versatile, self-adhesive workhorse for custom shapes and specialized environments.

