Document Artwork File Format Specifications for the Creation of Rub On Transfers
Determining the File Format
The correct File Format to use is determined by the type of Software Application Program used.
Generally, most Software Application Programs will fit into 3 types, Vector, Raster, or Text.
Setup Basics is the place to start, these specifications are common, essential, and imperative to the creation of delay-free Rub on Sticker Decal Transfers Document Artwork Files.
For Text Applications such as Microsoft Word, save your document as a PDF. The options to save the PDF will vary depending on the software used to create the PDF. For text documents, the most important settings are to Embed the Fonts or convert them to paths or curves.
For Vector or Raster Applications, you will find guidelines and specifications below in separate columns that will help determine the appropriate File Format for Vector or Raster
The File Format Basics
- A File Format is data saved in a specific structure or format.
- Vector Graphics are superior to Raster Graphics for Single Color Rub On Transfers
- Changing the File Format will not make incorrectly create graphics usable.
- Increasing the resolution of your document after the graphics have been created will not improve the graphics.
- The choice of the wrong File Format can impair your graphics.
Glossary of Terms
File Setup Basics
All Graphics, Text, & Icons must be created in Black, including White, Stock Colors, Custom Match, Foil, and Metallics. Use the Black Swatch color in our Rub On Transfer Templates. The formula for the black must be only 100% K. No Cyan Magenta or Yellow in the mix. Your final Rub On Transfer Color is determined by which Transfer Color Product you choose from the Shop. Do not put white graphics on a black or other color background.
The Rub on Decal Transfers will be produced at the same size as the size of the Graphics in your document. Raster documents must be supplied at their final Sheet Size at a high enough resolution. If you have a graphic you need to be resized, we can resize and populate the rub on transfer sheet size with as many as will fit.
No Shades, Shadows, Tones, Transparency or Gradients of a color can be used in your Rub On Transfer graphics. The typical process for producing rub on is not ideal for imaging the small dots of the color that would be required to produce the Shades, Shadows, Tones or Gradients of a color.
Rub On Transfer Decals have No Tones of color. The color of your graphic will be imaged from a single solid color. Known as spot color printing, a color such as green is produced from a single color green ink and not from overprinting two color Yellow & Cyan to achieve the green.
Once your graphics are applied they will appear the same and at the same size as they are in your document except for the color. The color of your transfers will be that of the Transfer Product color you ordered. For White transfers, do not make white graphics on a black background. Do not mirror or reflect your graphics if this is not how you what them to appear once transferred. With the exception of color, it can be said that, once your transfer graphics are applied, what you see in your document is What You See Is What You Get known by the acronym WYSIWIG. If you want your graphic and text to appear mirrored or reflected when applied and viewed from the application surface because your intent is to read the text correctly from the opposite side of a transparent surface, then supply your text mirrored or reflected.
Vector Document Setup
CMYK Color Mode
Use CMYK Color Mode for Vector Software applications. If your application does not support CMYK use Grayscale. Otherwise, RGB is acceptable but color all graphics using the swatch provided in our templates or as 100% K
Most Software Applications provide an option to convert the fonts in your document to objects which no longer require the font file in order to display correctly. On a copy of your document, depending on the terminology of your Software Application, convert the Fonts to Paths, Curves or Outlines. Once converted the text will no longer be editable as text. When your document is printed from anywhere other than your computer, the offsite computer needs the same exact font files to print your document. Without the exact same font file, font substitutions occur with a completely different font or with a slightly different version. Either option can cause the text to reflow differently than you original document. To avoid potential Font issues, the solution is to convert the font-drawn characters into objects that no longer need the font file. The Adobe created File Format encodes the font into the PDF allowing offsite computers to display and print your document as it was intended to appear. However, if a document needs to be edited, the font file may be required due to Font Licensing agreements or the failure of the font to embed. A PDF is the preferred File FOrmat but it is still the best practice to convert your fonts to avoid any delays in the production of your Rub On Transfer order.
We support the entire suite of Adobe Software and other Vector Software Applications. If your application is not on the list send us a PDFÂ via email so we can confirm we can work with the file. For the following application software save a copy as a PDF
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe InDesign
Affinity Designer (to be determined)
AutoCAD
Corel Draw
Inkscape
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Publisher
Microsoft Word
Raster Document Setup
Grayscale is the correct Color Mode for preparing a Raster Document for Rub On Sticker Decal Transfers. Take advantage of the significantly smaller file size to increase the resolution of the document which will enable the reproduction of thinner text font weights, smoother curves, and visually sharper graphics that would otherwise appear bold or bloated. A resolution of 300DPI is not adequate for text and smooth curves. A minimum of 600DPI is required to produce smaller graphics, however, we recommend 1200 DPI. (more…)
600 DPI is the recommended minimum resolution at the final Size for a Rub-On Transfer Decal. Working at higher resolutions are not a problem when using the correct Grayscale color mode. While lower resolutions may be just adequate for large shapes with no curves and only straight lines, almost all documents we receive have some small curved shapes and thin angled 1 pt lines or small light text. Whether these lines are part of some text, a border or another graphic, 600 DPI is the bare minimum if the rub on transfer is to resemble what you see on the screen. The line may appear solid on your screen, but if zoomed in you will find the line ditherers from 100% black pixels to gray pixels. Reproduced on your rub on decal sheet, the gray pixels will either be Black or will not be produced. If it is produced as black, it can make the line appear double the size compared to what you see on a screen view. If the gray is not produced, the line will be half the thickness. The results will be a line graphic or text that is either bolder than expected or thinner which may be broken during processing. An even higher resolution is needed to reprodyce line thickness of a 1/2 point. We recommend 1200 DPI. We plan to create & post the results of some tests at different resolutions to determine the minimum resolutions required to produce details of certain sizes.