If you're ordering specialty print finishes like Spot Gloss, Embossing, Debossing, or Foiling, it's important to set up your design files correctly. These finishes add a unique, eye-catching touch to your prints, but they require a bit more attention to detail during the file preparation process. This guide will walk you through the steps to ensure your files are ready for production, helping you achieve the perfect look for your project.

Step 1: Preparing Your CMYK Files

Start by setting up your design as you would for a standard CMYK print job. If your product requires CMYK files, follow the usual guidelines to create them. Some products, like Premium Black, won’t need CMYK files—if that's the case, you can skip this step.

Once your design is complete, export the front and back as press-ready PDFs, clearly labeling them with "Front" and "Back" in the file names. These files will only include the basic design, without any of the specialty finishes.

Example:

Step 2: Creating Separation Files

Next, you’ll need to create a black-and-white file that shows where the specialty finish will be applied. You can do this by adding a new layer, creating a new artboard, or setting up a separate file in your design program. In the example below, we’ll show you how we set up files for our popular Spot Gloss process:

• Black Areas: These represent where the treatment (e.g., Spot Gloss, Foiling) will go.

• White Areas: These will remain untreated.

Make sure the black you use is 100% K (K100) in CMYK. We recommend using vector-based programs like Adobe Illustrator or InDesign for best results, especially for embossing, debossing, and foiling. While you can create Spot Gloss files in Photoshop or other pixel-based formats, it can be trickier to get the details just right.

K100 Black
CMYK: 0, 0, 0, 100

Step 3: Export Separation

Before exporting, double-check that your separation files line up perfectly with the original CMYK artwork from Step 1. This helps ensure everything aligns correctly during the printing process.

Export each separation as a press-ready PDF, using clear and consistent file names:

If you're using multiple treatments on one side, create separate files for each one. For example, if the front of your design includes both Spot Gloss and embossing, you’ll need separate files for each.

For this example, there are four files generated:

Step 4: Uploading Your Files

Once your files are ready, upload them through our order system. Be sure to include every file required for your project to avoid any delays. If you're unsure whether your file is set up correctly, make sure to select the Online PDF Proof option when placing your order. This allows us to review your file and ensure it's 100% perfect before it goes to print.

Wrapping Up

Getting your design files right is key to making sure your specialty print finishes look amazing. By following these steps, you’ll help ensure that your project turns out just the way you envision it. If you have any questions or need help along the way, our support team is always here to assist.

Yes, our spot UV stickers are waterproof, and ideal for indoor and outdoor use.

See: Stickers Fast Facts

Small areas and detail (smaller than 1pt line weight) may fill in/disappear when the Spot Gloss is applied - especially when reversed out. Thin lines might not print consistently.
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The Spot Gloss coating is not as crisp and consistent as CMYK print. The CMYK colour print portion of this stock is offset quality with a 420 linescreen.

See: Design considerations for Spot Gloss.

Our Prepress department is responsible for assessing files for potential print errors. Examples of these errors include incorrect bleed, colour space or low resolution photos.

Spot Gloss alignment to the print is an aspect of the design and should be verified by your designer prior to submitting an order – and then also confirming in your PDF Proof. We do not check this alignment during the proofing process.

Our Press and Quality Control teams will ensure that your order is printed as per the accepted proof.

The minimum quantity for Spot Gloss cards is 500.

Shaped cards and other specialty finishes for Spot Gloss have a minimum quantity of 1000.