• Your artwork files must be supplied on CDman design templates. • Your artwork files must conform to the specifications as noted herein. • Your artwork files must be supplied in final form (press-ready).

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Platform/Software

We recommend the use of Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Indesign, and Adobe Photoshop design programs. FREE 30 day trials can be downloaded from Adobe. To avoid compatibility issues caused by different computer platforms, software and font types, we require that:

• Your artwork files are to have either (A) all text converted to outlines/paths - if using Photoshop for text you would rasterize each text layer, or (B) to have all font files included separately.
• Supply Illustrator designs in .AI format.
• Supply Indesign designs in .INDD format.
• Supply Photoshop designs in .PSD format.
• Designs from all other programs (including Quark) are to be supplied in .EPS format.

General Design Rules

• Your design page properties must be set to 300dpi (dots per inch)
• Your design page must be set to the CMYK or Greyscale color mode as applicable (not RGB).
• All bitmaps should be 300dpi and supplied in either CMYK or Grayscale as applicable.
• Processing/saving your bitmap images as .TIF (or .TIFF) files will produce better results than .JPG .GIF .PNG or .BMP
• Acceptable tonal range for gradients/screens/transparencies is between 15% and 85% - tones outside that range may not print.
• Always allow at least 1/8” (3mm) of bleed past the finished edges of the design.
• Don’t crowd the finished edge of your design with text and imagery unless it actually bleeds off the edge of the design. We recommend leaving a minimum gutter distance of 1/8" (3mm) to 1/4" (6mm).
• Artwork files for stapled booklets are to be supplied in printer-spread format.
• Delete all images, text and/or layers that are not required in the design.
• Name your files so they can be easily identified (eg: traycard_cover.eps).
• Indicate whether your CD/DVD disc artwork requires a white flood/backprint.

 Text

• Minimum recommended type size for positive print: 5 points
• Minimum recommended type size for reversed print: 6 points
• IF USING PHOTOSHOP: Because text tends to be pixelated when included in bitmap images, we highly recommend that Photoshop be used to process images but not for typesetting. For best results it is preferable to export your images from Photoshop as .TIF (or .TIFF) files and then typeset in a program such as Illustrator.

Silkscreen Printed Discs

• For spot colour silkscreen printing - the design must be colour separable. It is recommended that each individual colour is designed on a separate design layer.
• For spot colour silkscreen printing - best results come from line-art graphics and text. Bitmap images tend to be more jagged in appearance.
• For silkscreen printed discs - refrain from using transparencies, gradients and screens in your design. When screenprinted, anything less than 100% solid colour will print as a dot pattern and will not have the consistent and smooth appearance that you see on your computer monitor (see example shown below).
• For spot colour silkscreen printing you must specify Pantone Matching System (PMS) Solid-Coated colour numbers. The PMS designation is “C”.

We do not recommend that clients supply their own film unless they are very experienced in designing artwork for commercial print. Please note: When film is supplied the job will go to print as per the film supplied and no proofs are generated for approval. IMPORTANT: If supplying film, you must use our design templates. Failure to do so could result in the rejection of your supplied film.

FILM SPECS FOR SILKSCREENPRINTING (PMS/Spot or CMYK):

• Positive, emulsion up, round dot, output resolution 2400 dpi, line screen 100 LPI
• Film angles: Yellow: 0 / Magenta: 75 / Cyan: 15 / Black: 45
• Film must be free of pinholes, contamination, creases, scratches, etc.
• All layers must be labeled with the job number, project name and date.
• All layers must be labeled with the appropriate PMS colour # or CMYK value.
• All layers must be labeled with the type of product being printed (CDROM, DVD5, etc.)

• Negative, emulsion down, round dot, output resolution of 2400dpi, line screen 200 LPI
• Film angles: Yellow: 0 / Magenta: 75 / Cyan: 15 / Black: 45
• Film must be free of pinholes, contamination, creases, scratches, etc.
• All layers must be labeled with the job number, project name and date.
• All layers must be labeled with the appropriate CMYK value.
• All layers must be labeled with the type of product being printed on (CDROM, DVD5, etc.)

When Your Design Is Finished

• Leave the design template in the design for our visual reference but ensure it is on its own layer. Never flatten the design template into the artwork.
• Convert all text to outlines/paths. If using Photoshop please rasterize all text layers.
• If you are designing using linked images please supply those images in a separate folder.
• Place all of your relevant design files/folders into one folder. Name the folder with your Job Number and Project Name.
• MAC Users - Use ‘Stuffit’ to compress your design folder. Name this file with your Job Number and Project Name.
• PC Users – Use ‘Winzip’ to compress your design folder. Name this file with your Job Number and Project Name.

Supply Your Artwork Files

The three preferred methods of supplying your artwork files to us are as follows:

• Supply on a separate CDR or DVDR disc, along with your other production assets.
• Upload your artwork files to our FTP (100mb capacity).
• For files larger than 100mb you can use www.YouSendIt.com which is a free service. The destination email address should be logged as graphics(at)CDman.com - but replace the (at) with @.

Proofing Options

Your supplied artwork files are expected to be ready-to-print without changes or modifications being required. CDman provides three proofing options as noted below.

Proof Option “A” : Electronic Proofs – No Extra Charge ($0.00)

• This proofing option must be specifically requested on your Order Forms.
• Your design files are reviewed and CDman e-mails you electronic proofs in .PDF format.
• Electronic Proofs are for confirmation and warranty of the physical layout only.
• Electronic Proofs are not for evaluation of color accuracy – no color warranty provided is provided with Electronic Proofs.
• Written approval required.

Proof Option “B” : Hard-Copy Printed Proofs - $50 Charge (per set)

• This proofing option must be specifically requested on your Order Forms.
• Electronic Proofs must be approved prior to supply of hard-copy proofs.
• This proofing option is for confirmation and warranty of physical layout and for color accuracy.
• Color warranty is provided, however, up to 5% to 10% colour variation between hard-copy and finished product may be unavoidable due to tolerances inherent with offset printing processes, and is considered acceptable.
• Written approval required.

Proof Option “C” – Pre-Approved Design Files – No Extra Charge ($0.00)

• This proofing option must be specifically requested on your Order Forms.
• Client supplies pre-approved artwork files therefore by-passing pre-flight and proofs.
• No proofs supplied. No layout warranty. No color warranty.

Viewing The Proofs

• It is the sole responsibility of the client to review all details of the supplied proof, which includes (but is not limited to) layout/design, page sequencing, dimensions, spelling, and punctuation.
• In order to proceed with production the client must submit written approval of the proofs via fax or e-mail. A specific and clearly worded approval is required - verbal approval cannot be accepted.
• By providing an approval in writing, the client indemnifies and holds CDman free from responsibility and liability for any errors or omissions in the proofs that are not found and corrected by the client. Furthermore, the client acknowledges
  that the reworking and/or reprinting of materials due to client error is at the sole expense of the client. Such costs will be formally quoted in writing and must be approved by the client in writing before any additional work can take place.

Artwork Revisions & Changes

Client-supplied artwork/design files are considered to be received in ‘final form’. This means they are ready to manufacture as supplied with no need for modification. Revisions, modifications or the re-supply of files *may* cause the following:

• A delay in the start of your order.
• A delay in completing your order – even if there is a ‘deadline’ date for your order.
• Extra charges.

Note: One round of pre-flight (checking your supplied files to make sure they meet our specifications) and Electronic (.PDF) proofs are included in your quoted price. To request changes or to re-supply design/artwork files after receiving your proofs means that a new round of pre-flight and Electronic proofs must take place. Due to the work involved a $35 fee is applicable for *each* new round of pre-flight and Electronic proofs (except in instances where the required change is due to our error in generating the proof).

Color Matching

Electronic proofs are never to be used to evaluate color accuracy because computer monitors typically don’t represent color values accurately. CDman provides no color warranty provided for electronic proofs.

If color correctness is a concern you must request hard-copy printed proofs for final approval (see Proof Option “B”). Note: Due to variations inherent with offset printing processes, a color variation of up to 5-10% between the printed-paper proofs and the final printed product may be unavoidable and this is considered to be within acceptable industry tolerances.

For Spot Color Screenprinting: Client’s must specify Pantone Solid Coated (“C”) color values. Colors will be mixed according to the PMS color value formula and cross-referenced to the PMS Solid Coated reference guide.

Client-Supplied Color Samples

Client-supplied samples cannot be used for color reference on gang-run CMYK printed materials such as paper inserts, custom printed disc sleeves, custom printed disc jackets, Digipak and EcoCase. This is because these products are gang-run printed. For color warranty you must request Proof Option “B”.

For CMYK Offset Disc Printing: A client-supplied sample print (on disc or on paper) can be accepted for color reference, but an exact CMYK color match cannot be guaranteed. For color warranty you must request Proof Option “B”.

For Spot Color Disc Printing: A client-supplied sample print (on disc or on paper) can be accepted for Spot Color disc printing but an exact match cannot be guaranteed. We will select the closest standard Pantone Solid Coated (“C”) color available.

Ready-By-Date

Every effort will be made to fill orders within the timeline quoted at the outset of the project, however, quoted ready-by-dates are to be considered as estimates only and are not guaranteed. Though uncommon, delays can occur and CDman assumes no responsibility for any damages growing out of, or owing to, any delays.

We strongly recommend that you do not (A) schedule the release of your product, (B) book a product release event, or (C) schedule a trip until your product is in your hands and meets with your approval.