Design &
General Specs
Getting your artwork right before you submit saves time and ensures your release looks exactly as intended. Follow these guidelines carefully before sending files.
General Requirements
PDF only
All artwork must be supplied as a PDF. We recommend exporting using Acrobat Professional with the [Press Quality] preset from InDesign, Illustrator, or Photoshop.
CMYK only
We print in CMYK only and go direct to plate. RGB files will be converted and colours may shift. Always convert to CMYK before exporting.
3mm bleed
All artwork must include 3mm bleed on all sides and crop marks must be included. Do not place important elements within 3mm of the trim edge.
300 DPI minimum
All raster images embedded in your artwork must be at least 300 DPI at final print size. Vector elements are resolution-independent — always preferred where possible.
Important: Artwork size can be any size as long as bleed, crop marks, CMYK colour mode and PDF format requirements are met. Contact us before starting your artwork if you're unsure about dimensions for a specific product.
Print Size Reference
| Product | Component | Finished size (W × H) | With 3mm bleed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Jewel Case | Front booklet cover | 120.5 × 120.5mm | 126.5 × 126.5mm | Multi-page booklets: each page this size |
| Standard Jewel Case | Tray card (back) | 150.5 × 118mm | 156.5 × 124mm | Includes spine fold marks |
| Slim Jewel Case | Front insert | 120.5 × 120.5mm | 126.5 × 126.5mm | Single sheet only |
| Slim Jewel Case | Back/spine insert | 150.5 × 118mm | 156.5 × 124mm | — |
| CD Sleeve | Full wrap | 246 × 126mm | 252 × 132mm | Front, back and spine as one piece |
| 4-Panel Digipak | Full cover | Supplied on request | — | Contact us for dieline template |
| DVD Amaray Case | Front | 183 × 273mm | 189 × 279mm | — |
| DVD Amaray Case | Full wrap | 273 × 183mm | — | Includes spine; contact us for template |
| On-disc print | CD / DVD face | 116mm diameter | — | Centre hub: 35mm clear; provide as circular artwork |
| A3 Poster | Full sheet | 297 × 420mm | 303 × 426mm | — |
| A2 Poster | Full sheet | 420 × 594mm | 426 × 600mm | — |
| A1 Poster | Full sheet | 594 × 841mm | 600 × 847mm | — |
Can't find the product you need? Contact us and we'll supply the exact dieline template for your order.
Artwork Checklist
All fonts must be embedded or converted to outlines/curves in your PDF. Missing fonts will cause text to reflow or substitute with incorrect typefaces.
All placed images must be embedded (not linked) in your final PDF. Check your export settings to ensure all assets are included.
For small text and fine lines, use 100% black only (C:0 M:0 Y:0 K:100). Rich black (all channels at high values) can cause misregistration on small elements.
Ensure your document contains no RGB objects or Pantone/spot colours. All colours should be CMYK values only before export.
Keep all critical content (text, logos, key design elements) at least 3mm inside the trim edge. The bleed zone is for background only.
Always print a proof at 100% scale before submitting. Screen colours differ from print — review your PDF at actual print dimensions to catch layout issues.
Need a template
or dieline?
Contact us and we'll send you the exact template for your product and format.