Answer: There are a number of things that may go wrong between sending in an artwork e-file and the final proof sign-off, but the simplest answer to the question is, "just follow the LINC formula."

Label Innovation actually prefers receiving electronic artwork for most jobs, and accordingly has set out guidelines to ensure the smoothest path between original art and final proof.

The initial criteria cover the requirements for the basic way the design must be constructed, to reflect the differences between standard offset and flexographic printing. So one potential "return to sender" for the artwork can be avoided by ensuring your artist is working with LINC’s Graphic Designers’ Guide to Flexo Labels. Anyone who uses a computer knows how frustrating it is to receive a message or a file that cannot be opened and read. If this happens with a customer’s artwork, LINC has little option but to send it back for reformatting.

There are detailed requirements set out in LINC’s Graphic Designers’ Guide to Flexo Labels. These guide your designer in the technical necessities for file preparing, saving or exporting, compressing, and sending to LINC. Adhering to these is a simple recipe for once-through art.

A final word of caution: nearly everyone uses a computer these days, and it may be tempting to submit what amounts to "do it yourself" electronic artwork. This is unlikely to meet any of the written requirements mentioned above, and will surely wind up being returned to you for extensive modification. "Make it go – use a pro."

Question #7