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Artwork

LabelSwift Artwork & File Preparation Guide

Designing your custom label should be simple—and delivering print-ready artwork ensures the fastest turnaround, the most accurate colors, and the highest-quality finished labels. Use the guidelines below to prepare your artwork correctly before submitting. 

 If you need assistance at any stage, our customer service team and in-house designers are here to help.
Call us at 1-877-329-0578 if you need some help. 

Before You Begin
  • Select your label size and shape before designing. 
  • Dieline templates are available upon request.
  • Custom cutting dies can be created (additional charges may apply).

FILE FORMATS

  • Adobe Illustrator (.ai or .pdf saved from Illustrator)

  • Adobe Photoshop (.psd or .pdf saved from Photoshop)

    (Raster artwork must be high-resolution and CMYK.)

Supported Formats

  • Illustrator EPS (.eps)

  • Photoshop EPS (.eps) – 300 DPI minimum

Not Accepted

  • PNG, GIF, low-res JPG, web graphics, screenshots

  • RGB flat files

  • Artwork created in Word, PowerPoint, Canva, or other non-design platforms

SOFTWARE GUIDELINES

Use Illustrator for Layout

All type, vector shapes, logos, dielines, and label composition must be built in Adobe Illustrator.

Do not create label layouts in InDesign, Photoshop, or page-layout programs.

Photoshop is only recommended for background images or raster effects.

Using Other Vector Programs

If you must use another vector app:

  • Export a press-ready CMYK PDF

  • Include: embedded images, no color conversion, no compression, downsample to 300 DPI, retain editability, no passwords

ARTWORK SETUP REQUIREMENTS

Color Mode

All artwork must be supplied in CMYK.

RGB files will shift when converted and require client approval before printing, which may delay production.

Bleed

Labels must have 0.0625” (1/16”) bleed on all sides.

Example: A 1” × 3” label must be built at 1.125” × 3.125”.

Safe Area / Clear Space

Keep all important text and graphics 0.0625” inside the dieline to avoid edging or cut-off.

Resolution

  • All raster artwork must be 300–800 DPI at final print size

  • Anything above 800 DPI will be downsampled

  • Vector artwork always provides the best print quality

Embedded Images

All placed images must be embedded (not linked).

Missing links can cause delays or output errors.

TYPOGRAPHY & FONTS

Convert All Fonts to Outlines

Live fonts should not be included.

Before submission: Type → Create Outlines.

Minimum Font Sizes

  • Positive text: 4.5 pt minimum (5 pt recommended)

  • Reverse/white text: 6–7 pt minimum

  • Avoid ultra-thin fonts and fine reverse type—small sizes do not hold well in 4-color process.

Font Suggestions

  • Use clean, easy-to-read sans serif fonts for small print

  • Use 100% black for small black text for crispest output

BARCODES & UPCs

To ensure scanability:

  • 80% size → bar width reduction: 0.002”

  • 100% size → bar width reduction: 0.003”

  • Minimum barcode box width: 1.275”

  • We cannot guarantee readability for barcodes created below 80%.

IMAGE AREA & TECHNICAL SPECS

  • Scan resolution: 300 DPI at final size

  • Rasterized large text blocks: 1200 DPI recommended + include original text file if possible

  • Line weight minimums:

    • Positive lines: 0.35 pt

    • Reverse (knocked-out) lines: 0.5 pt

  • Trapping: Not required (we handle this automatically)

  • Pantone Colors: Specify PMS numbers clearly when using spot colors

FILE NAMING

Each label design must be in its own file and clearly named.

Good:

BodyLotion_8oz_Vanilla.ai

ProteinPowder_Chocolate_12oz.pdf

Avoid:

label1.pdf

final_final_latest_outline300_forprint.pdf

Unclear or ambiguous filenames may require resubmission.

COLOR MATCHING

Colors on inkjet/laser printers will not match flexo or digital press results.

If you need a specific match, provide:

  • A printed sample

  • A Pantone Coated reference

Without a sample, we print using standard CMYK profiles.

SUBMITTING YOUR ARTWORK

Upload artwork using our LabelSwift artwork upload tool.

  • New customers can create an account

  • Existing customers should use their company ID so files link to their orders

If you need help, see our File Upload Tips or contact customer service.

PROOFING

We do not provide proofreading services.

Before submitting artwork, please check:

  • Spelling

  • Ingredient lists

  • Barcodes

  • Regulatory text (FDA, cosmetic claims, etc.)

  • Die size and orientation

Once proofs are approved, any revisions require a new proof cycle and additional charges may apply.

 NEED DESIGN HELP?

Our Graphic Design Services can build or correct your label artwork if needed.

We can:

  • Create layout from scratch

  • Convert RGB files to CMYK

  • Add bleed and dielines

  • Correct low-resolution artwork

  • Rebuild files to production-ready standards

DESIGN SERVICE REQUEST

If you need help with your label, call us at 877-329-0578 or fill out the quick service request form below.