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Navigating Label Artwork in the Age of AI: Making Your Files Print-Ready
This year, we have seen an increase in customers sending AI-generated label artwork for us to print. It’s safe to say that Artificial Intelligence has completely transformed how companies, and the individuals within them, approach graphic design. With tools that can generate stunning artwork from a simple text prompt, it’s never been easier for businesses of all sizes to brainstorm and create eye-catching label concepts for their brand.
However, there is a massive difference between an AI-generated image on your screen and a crisp, professional label rolling off a printing press. AI tools are built for the digital world, but printing requires strict real-world specifications, that often customer do not know when supplying us with their artwork.
If you're using AI to help design your next product label, this guide will simplify the process while ensuring your artwork perfectly matches the printing guidelines we have. These guidelines are in place to ensure that your labels are of the highest resolution and quality possible, and they don’t communicate that your brand has cut corners to potential customers.
How to Use AI in Your Label Design Process
We think that AI is a fantastic assistant, but it shouldn't be the final step. Here is a simple workflow to get the most out of AI while setting yourself up for print success:
- Ideation & Imagery: Use generative AI tools (like Midjourney, DALL-E, or Canva's Magic Studio) to create backgrounds, illustrations, or conceptual layouts.
- Copywriting: Leverage text-based AI (like ChatGPT) to help write snappy product descriptions, usage instructions, or catchy taglines.
- Assembly: Please don’t send the raw AI image directly to us. Take your AI-generated assets and bring them into professional design software (like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop) to lay out your text, add your barcodes, and properly format the file for print. See below for our artwork guidelines, that will help you when creating your label using professional design software.
Bridging the Gap: Making Your AI Design Print-Ready
AI generators typically spit out web-friendly files (like RGB PNGs at 72dpi). If you send these directly to the printer, you will end up with blurry, oddly coloured labels that will quite frankly, look awful when printed.
To ensure a flawless print run, you must bridge the gap between AI generation and our professional printing standards. Here is exactly what we need from you:
1. File Formats: Ditch the PNG
AI loves PNG files, but we do not! As noted in our guidelines, PNG and EPS files are NOT accepted.
- What we need: Please supply your artwork as individual PDF files with all fonts outlined.
- Working Files: We also accept files created in Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, but please be aware that extra charges may be incurred if we need to spend a large amount of time editing them.
2. Colour Profiles: From Screen to Ink
AI images are generated in RGB or HEX colours, which are made of light for digital screens. Printers use physical ink.
- What we need: You must convert your colours to CMYK or specify PANTONE colours before saving your PDF. We cannot accept RGB, HEX, RAL, or Custom colour profiles. If you don't convert them, your vibrant AI design might look dull and muddy when printed!
3. Resolution and Bleed: Keeping it Crisp
AI images often lack the resolution required for crisp printing.
- Resolution: Any images or AI-generated assets used in your design must be scaled to a minimum of 300dpi. You may need to use an AI upscaling tool to achieve this without losing quality.
- Bleed: Ensure your design includes a 2mm bleed on all sides. This means your background artwork should extend 2mm past the actual cut-line of the label to prevent white borders during cutting.
4. Barcodes & Rolls
AI can't handle the technical nuances of product packaging, so you'll need to manually ensure the following:
- Barcodes: These must be a minimum of 80% magnification and supplied as a solid colour. We cannot print barcodes supplied as images or built out of CMYK format. Finally, keep the "clear zone" around the barcode totally free of print or images, or the barcode will fail to scan.
- Roll Specifications: When ordering, be sure to specify your required Core Size (we offer 25.4mm, 38.1mm, 44.4mm, 50.8mm, 76.2mm, and 101.6mm diameters) and your Feed Direction (Options 1 through 8, depending on how your application machinery feeds the labels).
The Crux of the Matter
AI is a brilliant starting point for your label design journey, giving you the power to visualise ideas instantly. But to get that idea onto a physical product, human attention to detail is required. By taking your AI concepts into professional software and applying these artwork guidelines, you guarantee that your final labels will look just as impressive in the real world as they did on your screen.
Need help amending your artwork so that they’re print ready, or have any questions about the guidelines? Let us know this, and our skilled artwork team will be able to assist you in creating a file that will translate to eye-catching labels, and drive product sales for your business.
Frequently Asked Questions - Printer Maintenance
01
What do the lines mean that are going through the print on my label?
If the line is in a diagonal direction, it is likely that the foil is creasing. Simply adjust the tension bar or clutch.
If the lines are vertical, then the printhead could either be dirty, or there could be dots or pixels on the printhead. If the latter is the case, you might need a new printhead. Contact us for us to diagnose the problem before ordering new parts.
Horizontal lines often indicate that the machine has stopped to make a cut. Usually, the machine will automatically try and blend this line out. Trying to alter the design of your label could help to solve the problem, however if there is a cut in the roller then it might need replacing. Contact our Technical Team if you think that this might be the case.
02
Nothing is printing onto my label but it’s going through the print process. What’s happening?
It’s likely that the ink foil is on the wrong way round, and it’s applying ink to the printhead instead of the label. Remove the ink foil, clean the printhead with some of our printhead wipes or isopropyl spray, and put the ink foil back on the other way around. The general rule of thumb when loading ink foil is dull side down, shiny side up!
03
I’ve got a warning notification on my printer. What should I do?
You will likely be seeing something along the lines of ‘No Gap Found / Media Error’, which could mean several things. The labels might be threaded up incorrectly, which will mean that they’re not going through the sensor. Take the roll of labels off and thread them up again, being sure to consult the diagram to make sure you’re doing this in the correct way for your machine. The sensor might not be in the correct position, so try adjusting it slightly to see whether it picks up on the labels coming through. Alternatively, the sensor might need re-calibrating. Either find the button on your machine that will do this for you or contact us for a little more assistance.
04
How do I clean the printhead on my label printer?
Take off the ink foil and get some of our printhead cleaning wipes, or some isopropyl spray and a cloth. Wipe the print area, removing any visible dirt or residue. Rethread the machine, reload the ink foil, and run a small job again to see whether print quality improves.
05
My printer isn’t communicating with my computer. What should I do?
The first thing to do is to check that the cable running between your computer and printer is connected properly, and in the correct port. Also ensure that the port on the computer is selected correctly (e.g. USB-C, USB), by navigating to your settings. You should also make sure that you’re trying to send a job to the correct printer, and not another that is synced with your computer.
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