Creation of the print files

The structure of your print files is crucial for a perfect result. In this section, you will learn how to optimally arrange the different layers of your design and what you need to pay attention to with cut edges and print lines. This will ensure that your stand-up pouches are printed exactly how you want them.

  • Structure of the Document

    Our print file for stand-up pouches consists of 3 areas: Front, back and bottom. At the bottom right of the layout you will find a brief summary of the 3 levels and an explanation of the different packaging areas.

  • Structure of the different levels

    Layers are like tabs that make it easier to manage individual components such as images, text and logos in a file. The order of the layers determines how the elements are stacked on top ofeach other.

  • Cut edges and print lines

    The cut edges define the print area. Elements outside these markings are not printed. In our print templates, a distance of 2 mm is preset between the cut edge and the trim. The "Sealing Zones" show where your stand-up pouches will be sealed.

FAQ

Creation of the print files

Which file formats are supported?

We support the PDF file format to ensure automated processes and optimised results.

How do I make sure that my print file has the correct resolution?

Make sure that all images and graphics in your print file have a resolution of at least 300 DPI (dots per inch). This will ensure that your artwork prints sharp and clear.

Which colour space settings should I use?

Use the CMYK colour space for your print file. This is the standard colour space for printing and ensures that the colours are reproduced correctly.

Can I get help with creating my print files?

Yes, our customer service team is always available to help you create your print files. Just contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

Special materials and their use in design

Our special materials offer you the opportunity to design your stand-up pouches in a unique and functional way. Whether pearl white, transparent or metallic surfaces - each material gives you individual design options that optimally present and protect your products.

  • PP film pearl white

    The pearl white colour is printed as a base on the stand-up pouches. When the pearl white colour is completely coloured with magenta, the entire packaging is printed with your design. To design special areas, you can colour in or delete the desired areas.

  • PP film transparent

    Transparent surfaces offer the advantage of making products visible to customers before purchase. To create a transparent viewing window, simply remove the desired area on the "Pearl white" layer.

  • PP film metallic

    "Metallic" surfaces give your stand-up pouch a shiny and high-quality look. To create metallic surfaces, remove the corresponding areas on the "Pearl white" layer. Areas that are not coloured in magenta on the "Pearl white" layer will then appear metallic.

  • PP film white

    The white PP film provides an excellent basis for brilliant printing results and allows you to emphasise your design clearly and distinctly. The white surface ensures optimum colour intensity and creates a high-quality look for your stand-up pouches.

  • PET/PE transparent film

    The PET/PE transparent film offers clear visibility and allows the contents of the stand-up pouch to be shown to their best advantage. It is characterized by high barrier properties and reliably protects the products from external influences.

  • PET/PE metallic film

    The PET/PE metallic film gives stand-up pouches a shiny, high-quality look. This film combines a protective layer with a metallic finish that provides both visual appeal and optimum protection against light and oxygen.

FAQ

Special materials

How do I define transparent areas in my print file?

To create transparent windows, remove the desired area on the "pearl white" layer. This creates transparent windows that emphasise your product.

How do I integrate metallic areas into my design?

To achieve "metallic" effects, remove the corresponding areas on the "Pearl white" layer. These areas will then appear metallic on the finished packaging.

What are the special features of the "pearlwhite" colour?

The "pearl white" colour serves as a white primer. If the colour is completely dyed in magenta, the packaging is printed over the entire surface. You can create special areas by colouring in or removing the corresponding areas.

Everything in view?

Everything in view?

Everything in view?

Used "pearl white" correctly?
Transparent areas correctly defined?
"Metallic" areas correctly defined?

Image formats and their correct use

The correct handling of images is crucial for a high-quality print result. Here you can find out what you need to pay attention to in terms of resolution, file format and embedding images to ensure that your design looks crisp and professional. We also show you how to correctly integrate EAN and QR codes into your layout to make them perfectly legible.

  • Resolution and image formats

    When using images for your design, two things are crucial: 1. The resolution - Make sure that your images have a resolution of 300 DPI so that they appear sharp on the printed stand-up pouch. 2. The file format - Only use PNG, TIFF or PSD.

  • Link and embed images

    Images and graphics must be in CMYK colour mode and placed on the design layer. If you save an image in a different location, a red question mark will appear as an error message indicating that the image is no longer linked. Before you upload your finished design, make sure that all images are embedded.

  • EAN and QR codes

    EAN codes are important for quick identification in retail. QR codes are ideal for referring customers to further information or your website. Both codes should be inserted as vector files on the design layer so that they can be scaled as required. If you only have PNG files, make sure they are large enough and embed the codes after insertion.

FAQ

Pictures

Why must images be in CMYK colour mode?

Images must be in CMYK colour mode, as this mode optimally displays the colours for printing. This ensures that the colours of your design are reproduced correctly and consistently.

Which image formats are suitable for the design?

The most suitable image formats are PNG, TIFF and PSD. Do not use JPEG files, as these can have compression losses.

What do I do if a red question mark appears on my images?

A red question mark indicates that the image is no longer linked. Make sure that all images are embedded in the document before you upload your finished design.

Why are functioning EAN codes important?

EAN codes are essential for the quick identification of your products in retail. A functioning EAN code facilitates the sales process and inventory management.

Everything in view?

Everything in view?

Everything in view?

Are EAN and QR codes inserted as vector files?
Are the image formats PNG, TIFF or PSD and not JPEG?
Are all images embedded in the document?

Colour management for perfect print results

The right choice of colour is crucial for a consistent and high-quality print result. Find out here how to use the CMYK colour mode correctly and why the conversion of spot colours to CMYK mode is necessary for printing.

  • CMYK colour mode

    CMYK stands for the colours cyan (blue), magenta (red), yellow (yellow) and key (black). The CMYK colour mode is required to print your packaging. Pantone colours must be converted to CMYK.

  • Conversion of spot colours

    A spot colour is an additional printing colour alongside the basic colours. This includes colours for additional colour depth and effect colours. If one of your colours is not in CMYK mode, change the colour setting to Process colour and the colour mode to CMYK.

FAQ

Colours and special colours

How do I recognize spot colours in my file?

Spot colours are often marked as special colour fields in design programs. They are not included in the CMYK colour space and must beconverted to CMYK manually.

How do I convert spot colours to CMYK?

To convert spot colours to CMYK, change the colour setting in your design program to process colour and the colour mode to CMYK.

Why do spot colours need to be converted to CMYK?

As our printing processes are based on the CMYK colour mode, all spot colours must be converted to CMYK to ensure correct and consistent colour reproduction.

Can I use Pantone colours?

Yes, you can use Pantone colours, but they must be converted to CMYK colour mode before printing. This will ensure that the colours are printed correctly.

How do colours affect the printing process?

Colours in CMYK mode ensure correct colour reproduction and high print quality. Incorrect colour modes or poorly converted spot colours can lead to inaccurate colours and inferior print results.

Everything in view?

Everything in view?

Have all colours been created in CMYK colour mode?
Have all spot colours been converted to process colours?

Fonts and lines: how to keep your design legible

Fonts and lines play a central role in the legibility and aesthetics of your design. It is important to observe a few basic rules to ensure that your layout is also shown to its best advantage in print.

  • Fonts ans lines

    To ensure that texts are easy to read, they should be at least 6pt in size. Dark lines on a light background should be at least 0.25 point thick, and light lines on a dark background at least 0.5 point thick.

  • Embedding fonts

    Embedding fonts is important to avoid display errors. Before uploading the design, all text modules should be converted into paths.

FAQ

Fonts and lines

What minimum size should my texts be?

Your texts should be at least 6pt in size so that they are easy to read.

How thick should the lines on my packaging be?

Dark lines on a light background should be at least 0.25 point thick. Light-coloured lines on a dark background should be at least 0.5 point thick.

Why is it important to embed fonts?

Embedding fonts prevents display errors. Without embedding, your design may be printed incorrectly or not at all.

How do I embed fonts correctly?

Before you upload your design, all fonts must be converted into paths. This ensures that the fonts are printed correctly.

Everything in view?

Everything in view?

Everything in view?

Are all texts at least 6pt in size?
Have all fonts been converted to paths andembedded?
Have you converted all effects for fonts and lines into paths?

Exporting print data: how to take the final step

Exporting your final print file is crucial for an optimal print result. Make sure you choose the right format and setting options to ensure that your design is realised exactly as you planned.

  • Format and setting

    Export your finished artwork as an Adobe PDF. Select the "Illustrator Standard" setting and set the compatibility to "Acrobat 7 (PDF 1.6)". Under Options, select "Preserve Illustrator editing functions", "Embed page thumbnail" and "Create Acrobat layers from top layer".

FAQ

Print data export

In which format should I export my finished design?

Export your finished design as an Adobe PDF.

Which PDF setting should I choose?

Select the "Illustrator Standard" setting.

Which compatibility setting should I use?

Set the compatibility to "Acrobat 7 (PDF 1.6)".

Which options should I select when exporting?

Select the following options:

  • "Keep Illustrator editing functions"
  • "Embed page thumbnail"
  • "Create Acrobat layers from top layer"

Ready for printing?

Ready for printing?

Ready for printing?

Have you exported your finished design as an Adobe PDF?
Have you selected the "Illustrator Standard" setting?
Is the compatibility set to "Acrobat 7 (PDF1.6)"?