Getting package design ready for print

[oystein_h]

Im making a package design for my company in illustrator CS6 which im new to btw (only been using it for a couple of weeks). Tried googling this but it has gotten me more confused

The company im buying products in bulk from, does the printing of my logo and design on their package. They said the want .Ai file and/or .PDF file from me

I have been given a template file(.Ai) where the package/cardboard is the background where i can make my design onto.

I have placed symbols from my other .Ai projects and also my company logo source file(.Ai) into the project.

How do i prepare the final product with linked images before sending off to print? Which resolution do i choose? 300 ppi ?

Thanks in advance

[Monika Gause]

Ask the print provider for exact specifications. This includes color mode, file specs, resolution and maybe a couple of other specs.

Prepare the file exactly to those specs.

If there are no raster images in your design and you don't use any raster effects, then resolution doesn't matter.

[oystein_h]

Thanks for your answer.
I have only used text, color and gradient. no effects.  (not sure what raster effects is)
Drag and drop files from other .Ai projects.

[Jacob Bugge]

Oystein,

I have placed symbols from my other .Ai projects and also my company logo source file(.Ai) into the project.

Hopefully, you Paste the artwork into the new document from them: placing AI files will bring in the simplified PDF versions instead of the real thing.

Which resolution do i choose? 300 ppi ?

None. Just let the vector artwork remain vector artwork, which corresponds to infinite resolution.

They said the want .Ai file and/or .PDF file from me

By just sending them the AI document you are creating, you will spare yourself any worries about the right PDF format and other things.

You should ask them which Color Management they wish; there are different options, (also) depending where on earth you are.

[oystein_h]

Im a total noob sorry

I just used "Place" under file or drag and drop when having another project open simoultanously.
Thats not the correct way of doing it ? hehe

[Monika Gause]

When sending them an AI file you have to make sure they have the fonts.

You have to make sure that they use Illustrator to open the file and not CorelDraw or whatever (this is not a joke).

You have to make double sure you send the correct version of AI file.

So make sure you talk to them. Really, there are so many answers we can't give you.

[oystein_h]

Ok i will ask them that.

What about the artwork, how do i fix that?

And also do i just send the .Ai file? does that include all the files i have dragged and dropped in ?

[Monika Gause]

  schrieb

Ok i will ask them that.

What about the artwork, how do i fix that?

And also do i just send the .Ai file? does that include all the files i have dragged and dropped in ?

Can you check the links panel? Anything in there?

Usually when you drag in vector artwork from other AI files, it gets embedded.

[oystein_h]

i will check when i have the computer infront of me.

If its embedded, is that when u see the cross in the image?

[meganchi]

If you need to know exactly which files are embedded in your document, the go to Window menu and select "Links". You can then click on the hamburger menu and choose "show embedded" in order to see all files that have been embedded. See example below.

[meganchi]

I work in the packaging print industry. Send them your .ai file, loose images that you have placed, fonts, and a .pdf so they can compare it to the .ai file to make sure everything looks as it should.

They will take your .ai file and alter it to their packaging specifications depending on if this prints litho, flexo, process flexo or digital. They should provide you a proof to approve prior to going to production. If they don't, then request one.

[meganchi]

One thing you stated was you placed symbol .ai files and a source .ai into your package layout in Illustrator. Do not do that.

As @Jacob Bugge pointed out, you should copy elements from one Illustrator file and paste them into your final Illustrator file.

Only use the place command if you are placing photoshop imagery, not vector artwork that originated in Illustrator.

[oystein_h]

Will you describe the method for doing this ?

Copy how excactly ?

[meganchi]

Open your first source file, then using the solid arrow tool, click on the art to select it, then go to Edit menu, select "copy". Next, open your package layout .ai file and go to Edit menu and select "paste". Now save your package .ai file.

Repeat the same steps for any .ai file art element that you need so you can paste them into your package layout .ai file. Then you can sent the package layout .ai file to your printer.