Save as PDF for printing labels

[michaelp80267865]

I am trying to send printing companies my labels to print. I made my labels in Illustrator using a 4" x 2" art board. I save as PDF and send it over and apparently the size is always too big and they have to resize it, but it doesn't look good. Why is it not saving at the size I created?

[John Mensinger]

Could use more information.

• Is 4" x 2" the correct output size?

apparently the size is always too big and they have to resize it

• What application are they opening it in?
• What size do they say it is?
• How are they resizing it?

but it doesn't look good.

• In what way?
• Is your artwork all vector? All expanded?

[michaelp80267865]

John,

• What application are they opening it in? They open it in AI... as I type this I just found that out. So I've been using AI turning it into a PDF and sending it. Then they open in AI and do what they do and then convert to a PDF to send to me. So I guess the best way to deal with this is just to send an AI file to begin with...
• What size do they say it is? 4x2 seems like they actually needed it .25 bigger but didnt have that on file requirements.
• How are they resizing it? Using AI

• In what way? The artwork extends over the cutting area. Somehow they are stretching the columns and artwork outside the cutting frame but all the words and stuff remain the same size. So basically it no longer all fits within the frame because the stretched things weirdly. 
• Is your artwork all vector? All expanded? It is vector, Uhh I am a beginner...I don't know what expanded is. If you're talking about object -> expand then some of the content is, yes but not the whole thing. Is that something that it required to print correctly?

Answering you actually helped me a lot on figuring out what part of the problems were. I still have no idea how they stretched everything like they did... but it no longer matters. I got them to do it correctly now, thank you!

[John Mensinger]

I'm glad it's sorted. Can't be sure, but it sounds like they may have simply been adding bleed.

[Daniel E Lane]

Also...

• How are you saving it off?
• What pixel ratio?

[michaelp80267865]

Daniel, I am saving it as "High Quality Print" option under a PDF

300ppi

[Chad Chelius]

When you say the size is too big, have you asked them what size it should be?

[michaelp80267865]

Yes it needed to be 4" x 2" in which my art board is 4" x 2"

[meganchi]

did you mask all of our art to the artboard size?

did the printing company provide you with copy or bleed limit specifications?

[michaelp80267865]

Sorry I am a beginner at this. I don't know what masking would do or if its needed before you print something?

Yes to the bleed and I complied to their needs. No copy instructions though.