Please use this checklist to ensure that all necessary information is given to Ardagh to help reduce delays and ensure the compliance with our guidelines.
Please check all tabs to ensure artwork is correct
Ensure that artwork opens without errors to reduce delays. More info can be found on our Artwork page.
Due to the uncertain legality of providing fonts with submitted artwork and the perceptible differences between supposedly ‘identical’ fonts, it is better to outline/vectorise them (turning them from a font into a graphic). This way there is no need to supply fonts and no danger of font substitution. Vectorised type should be given no line weight thickness. The fill remains as desired.
More info can be found on our Text page.
Ensure that the correct template is used for the size of can that is being produced.
More info can be found on our Templates page.
Please ensure that Hi-res images are supplied with the artwork to reduce delays. More info can be found on our Artwork page.
We do not print in CMYK, so please convert all solid areas to Spot Colours.
This includes White and Substrate.
More info can be found on our Colours page.
There can be no text in the overlap, seam and base area as this will not be visible on the can and can cause issues during production. These areas are marked on the template.
More info can be found on our No-text Area page.
During printing, the left and right-hand sides of the artwork will meet in the overlap area. It is important to ensure that only elements of the same colour meet in the overlap areas to avoid ink contamination.
More info can be found on our No-text Area page.
Ensure that the correct print type is selected for the effect you are looking to achieve.
Our printing units are equipped with up to 8 inkers. This does not mean we can always print 8 colours; due to technical printing restrictions it is possible that one colour has to be printed with 2 separate plates.
More info can be found on our Colours page.
Our graphics team will review the artwork and decide on the best plate split. This can involve relief plates to give larger areas of colour more depth and strength, and also screen plates if any screenwork is present on the design.
More info can be found on our Colours page.
We offer Standard Glossy, Matt, Tactile & Retort varnish options. If you are unsure which to choose, options can be requested from your local graphics department.
Ensure that the minimum screen value of 3% is applied.
Ensure that pantones are selected for the inks required, or inks can be selected from an existing graphic previously produced.
Our speciality inks include Thermo, DPG and Premium White.
More info can be found in our Sample Store.
Ensure the barcode number has been supplied.
More info can be found on our Barcodes page.
Ensure the barcode magnification is the recommended 100%, or at least 90%.
More info can be found on our Barcodes page.
Ensure the barcode box and bars contrast well with each other. If not black and white, ensure the colours have been approved by the graphics department.
More info can be found on our Barcodes page.
Ensure the barcode box and bars contrast well with each other. If not black and white, ensure the colours have been approved by the graphics department.
More info can be found on our Barcodes page.
If required, ensure the DPG deposit logo is on the artwork.
More info can be found on our Barcodes and DPG page.
If required, ensure the URL for the QR Code is provided.
More info can be found on our Logos and QR codes page.
Ensure the QR code is the correct size. The squares must be at least 0.44mm x 0.44mm.
More info can be found on our Logos and QR codes page.
Ensure the squares and the background contrast well with each other. If not black and white, ensure the colours have been approved by the graphics department, and that the QR code is scan-able.
More info can be found on our Logos and QR codes page.
The minimum size of positive text is 1.6mm for capital letters and 1.2mm for x-height. For optimum legibility in production, we strongly recommend following our graphics guidelines.
More info can be found on our Text Page.
The minimum size of negative text is 1.75mm for capital letters and 1.2mm for x-height. For optimum legibility in production, we strongly recommend following our graphics guidelines.
More info can be found on our Text Page.
If text is intersecting more than 2 colours, a keyline is required around text. For optimum legibility in production, we strongly recommend following our graphics guidelines.
More info can be found on our Text Page.
The minimum thickness of positive text is 0.15mm. For optimum legibility in production, we strongly recommend following our graphics guidelines.
More info can be found on our Text Page.
The minimum thickness of negative text is 0.3mm. For optimum legibility in production, we strongly recommend following our graphics guidelines.
More info can be found on our Text Page.
The minimum gap between characters is 0.2mm. For optimum legibility in production, we strongly recommend following our graphics guidelines.
More info can be found on our Text Page.
We need to compensate for dot gain, which occurs in the majority of all printing methods, in the reproduction of artwork. Positive elements tend to grow. Negative Elements tend to fill in.
The minimum thickness of individual positive lines is 0.2mm. More information can be found on our Lines & Gapping page.
We need to compensate for dot gain, which occurs in the majority of all printing methods, in the reproduction of artwork. Positive elements tend to grow. Negative Elements tend to fill in.
The minimum thickness of vertical negative lines is 0.35mm. More information can be found on our Lines & Gapping page.