Custom Packing Tape Artwork Guidelines
CUSTOM PACKING TAPE ARTWORK GUIDELINES
Design custom packing tape with ease. Start here with our guidelines which serve as an overview of our post-production printing parameters. We have a real, live human proof your artwork prior to production to ensure your vision is captured into a beautifully finished product.
Templates
Use our downloadable template to place and size your artwork to your specifications. Use your artwork or your designed template as your art file when placing your order.
Water-Activated Tape
Kraft Flatback Tape
Standard Repeating Designs
Supplied artwork should be set up in a 12" repeating pattern. A minimum of 1/16" space must be present between all design components. The design must also include a 1/8" gap on the left and right side of the design, and a 1/16" gap on the top and bottom of the design.
Our standard procedure is to make minor adjustments during proofing to achieve an existing cylinder repeat. The adjustments may include minor changes to logo size, spacing and design rotation.
Plate Cost: $200 per color | Order Online
Continuous Designs
To print without the edge gaps required for standard repeating design, a cylindrical plate is required. A minimum of 1/16" space must still be present between all design components.
Our standard procedure is to make minor adjustments during proofing to achieve an existing cylinder repeat. The adjustments may include minor changes to logo size, spacing and design rotation.
Plate Cost: $1,250 per color | Contact Us To Place Your Order
Ink & Color
We use flexographic printing with water-based inks. Choose from 15 stock ink colors, including black Algae Ink™ for water-activated tape. Custom PMS colors are available for $130/color and is purchased for each order. Our standard is 1 or 2-color prints.
If interested in any of the below, please contact us.
- 3+ colors on any tape
- Continuous designs
- Floodcoating on water-activated tape
Color Matching
It is critical to note that colors may render differently on a digital screen and that colors in your digital proof are only used as reference.
You may request a complimentary physical sample of any stock ink color or a swatch of your custom color on our tape material. This will provide you with the most accurate representation of the color. Request an ink sample.
Cello & Kraft Flatback Stock Ink Colors
Water-Activated Tape Stock Ink Colors
IMPORTANT NOTE
Our standard is a 50% print coverage maximum per 12" of tape design. Your design may not cover more than 50% of the printing plate - no flood coating, heavy ink coverage, or full bleeds.
Floodcoating is available on water-activated tape only, for an additional $17 per case. We recommend using white water-activated tape to achieve the most vibrant flood coat, and do not advise printing a light color over a dark floodcoat.
Contact us to order custom water-activated tape with a floodcoat.
Art Requirements
- File Format: Vector required, AI preferred, PDF accepted
- Outline all fonts and embed all supporting files
- Minimum Font Size (Standard): 9 pt Helvetica
- Minimum Font Size (Reverse-Out): 16 pt Helvetica
- Minimum Stroke Size (Standard): 1 pt
- Minimum Stroke Size (Reverse-Out): 2 pt
- Minimum Size of Spaces to Avoid Fill-in: 1/16"
- Vertical Movement Tolerance: 1/8"
- Horizontal Movement Tolerance: 1/16"
We require vector format so we can scale designs without losing detail. Raster images are pixelated and these pixels can be visible in the final print.
Lead Time
Lead time is the estimated time to process your order for shipment and does not include transit time.
For branded orders, lead time begins after artwork proof and, if applicable, ink swatch approval.
What does this mean?
When you place a branded order, our Design Team reviews the artwork files attached to your order and creates an artwork proof. We then send your artwork proof to you for review and approval. We highlight any adjustments made, emphasize potential print risks, and request additional files or information.
Once the proof suits your design vision and aligns with our printing capabilities, we request your written approval. After we receive your written approval, your lead time begins.
Questions?
New to custom packaging or have questions? We are happy to share our experience and thoughts on how to bring your vision to life. We work closely with you during the entire process - from art proof to delivery to your door.