CD manufacturing : CD replication : CD duplication by Groove House Records

Top 10 Design Mistakes…and How to Avoid Them!

1. Files not in saved in Groove House Records templates.

Every company has different presses and settings. We simply cannot use files created in templates
for other companies or designed without templates at all. There is an automatic charge of $85 if files are not in our templates, as we will need to move them for you. Click here to download templates.

2. Wrong color mode used.

RGB stands for Red Green Blue and is the color mode used by computer monitors. This is
subtractive color that comes directly from light: when you add them all together, you get white. We
cannot use any files saved in RGB. The spectrum for RGB is much purer and broader than for
CMYK which is why we can’t get that cool neon RGB blue using CMYK inks, no matter how much
we want to.

CMYK stands for Cyan Magenta Yellow BlacK and is the standard color mode for 4-color ink printing presses. This is additive color that is reflected: when you add the colors together, you get black. Color images for your print (folder, traycard, Digipak, sleeve) must be saved in CMYK or grayscale (black only) mode. The only exception is when you wish to use Pantone (PMS) inks for printing, which carries an additional charge.

If we receive files in RGB mode, we will automatically convert them for you. Note that there is a strong
possibility that your color values will shift and the end result may be very different than expected.

The following example illustrates the separation differences between RGB and CMYK:

Click here for instructions for converting images from RGB to CMYK.

3. Wrong color profile used.

For optimal color matching to our printing and proofing system, we strongly recommend that you use
the U.S. Sheetfed Coated (v2) color profile for all of your Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator files.
This will also give you better viewing consistency between programs. If you use this color profile, you
will have the best chance of knowing how your final print will look. Also, if you are concerned about
color, we recommend you request print proofs. Our color print proofs are at least 90% accurate to the
final product appearance.

Click here for instructions on applying color profiles.

4. Image resolution too low.

All submitted images should be 300 dpi (dots per inch).

Beware of screen resolution, which is usually around 72 dpi, the number of pixels required to display
an image satisfactorily to a computer monitor.

Print resolution (or the number of pixels required to display an image satisfactorily with ink on paper)
is much higher - most printers ask for a resolution of 300 dpi.

Take a look at the following examples:

This image will print great at 300 dpi...

...but will print poorly at a lower resolution

Q: OK, I understand that low resolution is bad. Can I just change my 72 dpi image in Photoshop to
300 dpi by changing the number?

A: Not exactly. When you “change the number” from a low resolution to 300 dpi, you are not really
addressing the underlying problem. Doing this is called interpolation. Interpolation means that you
are asking the computer to calculate the pixels that are not there. Computers cannot add new data to
sharpen the image, it can only add pixels that “fill the gaps.” What you end up with is a TIF that is at
300 dpi, but very, very blurry.

72 dpi

Interpolated at 300 dpi

Q: So how do I fix low resolution?

A: You need to re-scan your photograph, slide, or transparency at 300 dpi at the final size you want
it printed. Photos should be taken using a 200 megapixel camera or better, with the settings at the
highest resolution possible.

Note: When placing images into layout programs like QuarkXPress, Illustrator, or InDesign, be sure
not to scale the image up or down much. A 300 dpi image, for example, scaled up 200% will have a
final resolution of 150 dpi! Low resolution!

On the other hand, do not overcompensate by making your image resolution too high. It is overkill
to have images at 600 dpi, for instance. It not only makes file sizes significantly larger, it also may
create problems with final printing. Again, 300 dpi is the optimal resolution for raster images.

5. CD / DVD face not designed with Pantone (PMS) colors.

We silkscreen our CD faces using Pantone Solid Coated Spot inks. The best way to view these
colors is in a Pantone Formula Guide book, which can be found (purchased or just viewed) at an
art supply store. You will need to apply the spot swatches to your artwork before submitting files, in
a program and format that will retain the swatch information. The best programs to do this are
Illustrator, InDesign and QuarkXpress. Note that even though Photoshop has a Pantone library,
the file is still saved as RGB or CMYK.

As an alternative, we can print a CMYK image on your disc (at an extra charge) – however the
print is usually not as crisp. Note that this is only the case for CD faces. We have the ability to offset
print DVD disc faces, and thus avoid the issues inherent in silk-screening with CMYK.

We strongly recommend that you do NOT attempt to match the disc face to your cover art. They are
printed using different processes on different surfaces. You will be taking a significant risk that the
colors will not match.

Click here for instructions on applying spot colors to your disc face design.

6. CMYK blacks are too rich.

In order for color side black borders, headlines, and text to appear dark and saturated (“rich”), you will
need to set your CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) values accordingly:

C = 60%
M = 50%
Y = 50%
K = 100%

Do not use values any higher than those listed above, as the inks become too saturated on the
printing press and can obliterate thin lines and text. If you want any small white text or other fine
details to print cleanly, you must keep your total CMYK ink values under 300%.

Note: Black values that appear on your screen may actually be vastly different when printed:

Click here for instructions on how to set CMYK black values.
Click here to learn how to determine total CMYK ink values.

7. Missing image files or fonts.

We need all of the elements used in your design, not just the layout / template files. Images in Illustrator and InDesign should always be linked, not embedded and those linked images supplied along with your layout files. We also need every font used in your design, including screen and
printer fonts.

If any elements are missing, your job will be placed on hold until we receive them.

8. Design not extended to bleed.

When you look at our templates, you’ll see three different colored lines. The outermost (red) line
corresponds to the bleed. You will want to take your design all the way out to the bleed line. If
you only design to the cut (blue) line, you run the risk of the blade falling outside that area with a
resulting white paper edge.

9. Text created using Photoshop.

If you are going to create your text in Photoshop, please be aware that Photoshop is a raster-based
program and will print text less crisp than using vector-based programs like Illustrator, InDesign or
Quark. At high resolution, it should not cause legibility problems, though the smaller the letter the
more likely you are to have visibility problems.

See example text below for comparison:

Raster

Vector

10. Design different than original quote.

If we receive files that do not match up with your quote, your job will be placed on hold so a new
quote can be generated. The most common situation is when a job is quoted for a 3 spot color disc,
and we receive disc face files in CMYK, which makes the job a 5 color disc (4 colors + white base). There is an extra charge for CMYK discs. See #5 above for information on applying spot colors to
your disc face.

If you have any questions, give us a call and we’ll be happy to assist you.