Custom Printed Stock Design Center
Artwork Specifications and Guide
- Print Technology
- ID Card Material
- File Formats
- File Compression
- Spot Colors
- Full Bleed
- Embedded Holographic Foil/Foil Stamps
- Slot Punch
- Design Proofing
- Design Templates
- ID Badge Technology Testing
- FILE to PRINT
- Providing Artwork Files
Print Technology:
eXpress badging's custom printed card stock jobs are ran on a variety of state of the art equipment
depending on the application and material used. The print technology used is similar to standard forms printing
processes. However, due to the fact identity credentials are being produced, you should be aware there that are
do's and don'ts that you should factor into your ID design. eXpress badging will do all of the design work for
you with this understanding in mind, and below is our process.
eXpress bagding
offers custom ID design professional services to generate your design source files, or you can provided your
finished design files following our specifications below. We will then provide a proof within two to three
businss days for approval and sign-off. If technology is integrated within the card, we also require testing
approval sign-off prior to printing.
ID Card Material:
For most identity cards projects, eXpress badging prints on PVC card stock material. The white opacity of card
stock will vary between "standard" 100% PVC and "composite" 60% PVC and 40% polyester blended cards. Even over a
period of extended time, the color white contrast of PVC cards can not be guaranteed due to various the
manufacturing processes and material used.
We do have other material options for
special projects and oversize cards that are considered custom.
- Technology Cards: RFID, Magnetic Stripes and Barcodes
- Lamination for added durability and fade protection
- Adhesive Stock
- Tri-modal Security Seals
- UV Inks
- Foil Stamping
- Laminated Teslin for oversize credentials
File Formats:
File Compression:
Spot Colors:
Extended areas of filled black such as backgrounds on CMYK jobs should be filled with Rich Black (50 C, 40 M, 40 Y, 100 K) in order to generate a deeper, richer black.
Full Bleed:
All art should be placed in position on the final page size with allowances for bleed, slot or hole punching, magnetic stripes, barcodes etc. indicated. Templates are available on request (see below). Crop marks, cut-lines etc. may be used, but must remain outside the maximum bleed area, or be placed on a separate layer to allow for removal prior to production.
Embedded Holographic Foil/Foil Stamps:
Slot Punch:
Design Proofing:
Design Templates:
Horizontal ID Card Template
Vertical ID Card Template
Horizontal Buddy Badge Template
Vertical Buddy Badge Template
ID Badge Technology Testing:
Sample test cards are provided based on customer provided specifications. Test cards must be enrolled in each system used; then transactions generated for each test card provided. We recommend printing a transaction report in each badge reader system to document successful ID badge enrollment and transaction generation (badge works in the reader). Does the badge open the door, record a time punch, record a tracking transaction, and then record the transaction in the system using the unique badge ID number and person assigned to it?
- Time and Attendance
- Access Control
- Tracking Systems
- Point of Sale
Once you know all the systems in use, you need to document the reader type and specifications of each technology used: RFID Proximity (125kHz), RFID Contactless (13.56 MHz), barcodes, and magnetic stripes.
Providing Artwork Files:
- Files should be emailed to your sales representative or customer service manager if they are a file size you can email, and you should not exceed 10MEG.
- We can setup a secure ShareFile Account for those with artwork files over 10MEG. We will email log-in credentials upon engagement.
- We can pull them down from your FTP site.
- Proofs will be created for review and approval before processing.
