Design Specifications

Blaze a Path to Success... Just Follow Our Design Specs

IMPORTANT: Please read the Design Specs below before submitting your art. For your convenience, here's a PDF version . We also recommend that you read our Design Tips & FAQs.

Failure to meet these specs may result in additional charges and delays. If you have never designed a CD, DVD, or vinyl project before, we strongly recommend that you hire an experienced designer or have us create your graphics. Your submitted files must be in their final form. If your artwork files require changes and corrections after you submit them, you will be billed at a rate of $85 per hour with a minimum charge of $50. Please call or email if you have any questions.

Acceptable applications: Illustrator (Creative Cloud or earlier), InDesign (Creative Cloud or earlier) or Quark 8.0. It's best not to use Photoshop for layout or text. Mac or PC.

Templates: You must download templates from our website. Orders with artwork not placed in GrooveHouse templates will incur a $85 prep charge and could delay your project. The red (outside) line indicates bleed, the blue (center) line indicates cut or fold, and the green (inside) line represents text safety.

These design specs are for CD/DVD REPLICATION and vinyl pressing only. For DIY specs, see our DIY templates. For Fast Tracks short-run DUPLICATION specs & templates, click here.

Choose an Element:

CD Replication / DVD Replication / Vinyl Packaging

Acceptable file formats: Save your LAYOUT in its native format (AI, QXD, or INDD). Save your IMAGES as TIF or EPS files. Do not use PICTs, GIFs, JPEGs, PSDs, PDFs or LZW. Include all images used in the layout as separate (linked) files. If you are saving a Photoshop EPS, use Mac 8-bit and binary settings. We can only accept Adobe Creative Cloud and Quark 8.0.

Image resolution: 300 dpi

Colors: CMYK or grayscale only. RGB files will not be accepted. For rich black, do not exceed the maximum values of 60% Cyan, 50% Magenta, 50% Yellow, 100% Black. In order for fine details to print clearly, you must keep your total CMYK values under 300%.

Color Profiles: For optimal color matching to our proofing and printing system, use the CMYK color setting "US Sheetfed Coated v.2" for both your image and layout programs. Apply the color profile at the beginning of the design process. We cannot make color corrections to submitted files.

Resizing: Size and crop your images in Photoshop before placing them into your page layouts. Resizing images in your layout application more or less than 5% is not recommended.

Linked files: Do not "embed" images in Illustrator or InDesign - instead, place them as "linked" images. Provide all high resolution scans and logo files that are placed in your layout. Make sure all linked files are editable.

Transparencies: It is best not to use Illustrator to create transparency effects. We recommend using Photoshop instead.

Fonts: Type 1 PostScript fonts recommended. True Type Fonts (TTF) do not output reliably. Do not use MM fonts. No "stylized" text - use the font version instead (e.g. Helvetica Bold). Include all screen and printer fonts used. If submitting PC files, include an additional layout file with all fonts outlined.

Typesetting: Use your layout program (Quark / Illustrator / InDesign) for typesetting. We recommend that you do NOT use Photoshop, as text will be rasterized and we cannot guarantee the quality of your final print. Keep all type within the safety area (green line) in the template and at least 1/8" from fold lines.

Bar code placement: Create a white box (1-1/4" x 1/2") where you wish to have your bar code placed. We will insert the UPC image for you at no charge. Bar codes can only be printed using black ink.

Miscellaneous: Do not use the phrase "Printed in USA" anywhere in your text, as our print facility is located in Canada. "Made in USA" or "Manufactured in USA" is acceptable. Legal use of the FBI Anti-Piracy Seal is restricted to members of specific agencies - read this before adding it to your artwork.

File submission: Supply your files on CD-R or via our File Upload Service. Include layout files, image files, and all fonts used. We cannot be held responsible for lost or damaged materials - always make back ups.

Proofs: You will have the option of choosing PDF or printed color proofs. PDF proofs allow for a faster turnaround, but are not color-accurate due to variation between computer monitors. If you choose this option, you will be required to sign a color waiver. Printed proofs are available for an additional charge and will be sent to you via FedEx 2 Day.

On Disc Art

Acceptable file formats: Save your LAYOUT in its native format (AI, QXD, INDD). Save your IMAGES as TIF or EPS files. Do not use PICTs, GIFs, JPEGs, PSDs, PDFs or LZW. Include all images used in the layout as separate (linked) files. If you are saving a Photoshop EPS, use Mac 8-bit and binary settings.

Image resolution: 266 dpi for Pantone designs (silkscreen printing), 350 dpi for CMYK designs (offset printing).

Colors: Solid Coated Pantone colors are the recommended color type. RGB files will not be accepted. If you opt for CMYK, a white base coat is recommended (this counts as an additional color and may increase your quoted price.) Indicate color choices and knock-outs on your submitted template files.

Note: We strongly recommend that you do NOT attempt to match the disc face colors to your cover art. They are printed using different processes (silkscreen vs. offset) on different surfaces (plastic vs. paper). You will be taking a significant risk that they will not match.

Color density: 100% Solid Coated Pantone prints best. Tints less than 20% may not print visibly. Color gradients and transparencies are not recommended.

Resizing: Size and crop images in Photoshop before placing them into your page layouts. Resizing images in your layout application more or less than 5% is not recommended.

Linked files: Do not "embed" images in Illustrator or InDesign - please place as "linked" images. Provide all high resolution scans and logo files that are placed in your layout. Make sure all linked files are editable.

Fonts: Type 1 PostScript fonts recommended. True Type Fonts (TTF) do not output reliably. No "stylized" text - use the font version instead (e.g. Helvetica Bold). Include all screen and printer fonts used. Minimum point size 6 points.

Line width: Minimum 1 pt.

Trapping: 0.144 to 0.25 point overlay trap. Trapping is not necessary - just know that some silver may show through without them.

Bleed: NOT ALLOWED. Do not design or place any ink outside the outer circle or inside circle.

Inner hub (CD only): Text between the 46 mm and 19 mm (center) rings is not recommended. Color may vary in the center ring of the disc, due to the mirrored band and clear inner hub. A full flood undercoat of spot white can help alleviate this change (counts as additional color).

Miscellaneous: Legal use of the FBI Anti-Piracy Seal is restricted to members of specific agencies - read this before adding it to your artwork.

File submission: Supply your files on CD-R or via our File Upload Service. Include your layout files, image files, and all fonts used. We cannot be held responsible for lost or damaged materials - always make backups.

Proofs: On-disc printing cannot be accurately represented by either paper or PDF proofs. It is to be expected that a different result will occur on the disc face than on your proofs (within industry standards).

Vinyl Label Art

Acceptable file formats: Save your LAYOUT in its native format (AI, QXD, INDD). Save your IMAGES as TIF or EPS files. Do not use PICTs, GIFs, JPEGs, PSDs, PDFs or LZW. Include all images used in the layout as separate (linked) files. If you are saving a Photoshop EPS, use Mac 8-bit and binary settings.

Image resolution: 266 dpi

Ink Colors: Solid Coated Pantone colors are the recommended color type. RGB files will not be accepted. If you opt for CMYK, a white base coat is recommended (this counts as an additional color and may increase your quoted price.) Indicate color choices and knock-outs on your submitted template files.

Available Paper Colors: Choose from Black, Silver (PMS 877), Gold (PMS 871), Process Yellow, Process Magenta, Cyan, Tan (PMS 155), Forest Green (PMS 354), Lime Green (PMS 365), Purple (PMS 005), Red (PMS 185), Egg Yellow (PMS 116)

Color density: 100% Solid Coated Pantone prints best. Tints less than 20% may not print visibly. Color gradients and transparencies are not recommended.

Linked files: Do not "embed" images in Illustrator or InDesign - please place as "linked" images. Provide all high resolution scans and logo files that are placed in your layout. Make sure all linked files are editable.

Fonts: Type 1 PostScript fonts recommended. True Type Fonts (TTF) do not output reliably. No "stylized" text - use the font version instead (e.g. Helvetica Bold). Include all screen and printer fonts used. Minimum point size 6 points.

Line width: Minimum 1 pt.

Trapping: 0.144 to 0.25 point overlay trap. Trapping is not necessary - just know that some of the paper may show through without them.

Bleed: Design to red bleed line on template. The blue line indicates crop.

File submission: Supply your files on CD-R or via our File Upload Service. Include your layout files, image files, and all fonts used. We cannot be held responsible for lost or damaged materials - always make backups.

Proofs: We will send you a PDF proof of your vinyl label design for approval. Color print proofs available for an additional cost.