Design requirements for vector graphics

Vector graphics are good for less complex motifs and geometric shapes such as texts, logos and comics with no more than 3 colors.

FILE FORMAT AND RESOLUTION

We have specific requirements for your vector graphics:

  • File format: .ai or .svg
  • Minimum size: 10 x 10 cm
  • Largest size: 38 x 38 cm
  • Minimum diameter for lines or motif details: 1.5 mm
  • Maximum 3 colors: Vector files with more colors will automatically be printed with digital direct printing
  • No tinting
  • Texts and shapes have been completely converted to closed paths

MEASURE AND ADJUST THE THICKNESS OF THE LINES

In order for the flex or flock foil with your design not to break when the scraps are removed, the smallest elements must be at least 1.5 mm , which is also called the thickness of the lines. In addition, the distance between the individual elements should be at least 1 mm so that the excess foil can be removed without problems.

Measure the thickness of the lines: To check if the lines in your design are thick enough, create a circle with a diameter of 1.5 mm and place it over the thinnest line in the design. If the circle fits in the line without protruding, the line is thick enough. Repeat the same with a 1mm diameter circle to measure the gaps in your design. If the circle fits in the narrowest gap, it is big enough.

Important: Do not make your design too large. If you reduce it significantly later when placed on different products, the minimum diameter may no longer be maintained. In this case, we cannot print your design flawlessly.

CLOSE CURVES

When the plotter punches out your design, it cuts it out of the printing foil along the curves. If the plotter comes to an open end of a curve, it tries to close it. It then looks for a random anchor point nearby and cuts a straight line to this point. If the curve is not closed, your design will be wrong.

CONVERT EVERYTHING INTO LANES

Your design can only be printed flawlessly if all objects have been converted to paths. However, this is not always the case. A typical example is texts that are only saved as text fields. Therefore, when creating them, you should ensure that all elements are embedded as paths. Use the "Combine", "Merge" or "Transform" functions in your graphics program.