This page contains a list of frequently asked questions related to our free design templates. If you feel there should be other kinds of templates on offer within our site please let us know what you need by sending your request using our enquiry form. If you have a question that is not answered on this page please send your question using our enquiry form.

• Why do I need to use your templates, can't I just take measurements from my CD cases etc?
• What does bleed mean?
• What software do I need to get the most from your templates?
• How do I use your templates to setup my design?
• Do I need to design in CMYK or RGB?
• What is a cromalin?
• What's the smallest type size I can use?
• Will my fonts work when you open my design?
• What are spot colours and what are process colours?
• What is a Pantone?
• Will your finished print look the same as my inkjet proofs?
• What is on-body printing?
• Will my on-body print look exactly like the paper parts?
• What resolution should my images and graphics be set to?
• Can I send you my artwork files by email or FTP?
• Can I supply my own films? If so what are the requirements?

Why do I need to use your templates, can't I just take measurements from my CD cases etc?

The printing machines, guillotines and automatic packing machines used in CD manufacturing plants are fully automated. The templates we use are set up exactly to be used with that equipment, other manufacturers sizes could vary from ours.

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What does bleed mean?

Bleed refers to the amount of artwork added outside of where the guillotine will trim ensuring that the printed area reaches to the edge of the product without leaving any white spaces.

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What software do I need to get the most from your templates?

Quark Xpress, Adobe Illustrator, Macromedia Freehand. Back to top

How do I use your templates to setup my design?

Quark: Import your artwork into the quark template picture box (some file type restrictions apply - refer to Quark help)

Illustrator/freehand: Open the *.AI/*.EPS file and lock the template layer, then use the guides to produce your artwork to the correct size then save out as an EPS file.

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Do I need to design in CMYK or RGB?

For all CD-ROM and DVD products and litho printed paper parts - use CMYK. For short run inkjet and digital print paper parts artwork can be supplied as RGB or CMYK.

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What is a Cromalin?

Cromalin is the brand name of the hi-end contract proofing machine that we use. The Dupont Cromalin b2 uses the same euro standard profile as the printing presses on which our products are printed enabling us to produce colour accurate proofs that can be used as a contract between HDC Media Group and our clients.

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What's the smallest type size I can use?

The smallest point size we can use for print is 6pt.

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Will my fonts work when you open my design?

All fonts used in the production of artwork should be supplied with the artwork.

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What are spot colours and what are process colours?

A spot colour is a special premixed ink that is used instead of, or (less commonly) in addition to, CMYK process inks, and that requires its own printing plate on a printing press. Use spot colour when few colours are specified and colour accuracy is critical. Spot colour inks can accurately reproduce colours that are outside the gamut of process colours. However, the exact appearance of the printed spot colour is determined by a combination of the ink medium it's printed on, so it isn't affected by colour values you specify or by colour management.

Minimize the number of spot colours you use. Each spot colour you create will generate an additional spot colour printing plate for a printing press, increasing your printing costs. If you think you might require more than four colours, consider printing your document using process colours.

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What is a Pantone?

The Pantone Matching System is the definitive international reference for selecting, specifying, matching and controlling ink colours. The Pantone formula guide, a three-guide set consisting of 1,114 solid Pantone Colours on coated, uncoated and matte stock.

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Will your finished print look the same as my inkjet proofs?

No, unless you provide us with a proof produced on any of the contract proofing systems that HDC Media Group accept, we can not guarantee that the final printed parts will match your inkjet print.

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What is "on-body" printing?

On-body is the print on the face of the CD.

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Will my on-body print look exactly like the paper parts?

Not exactly, Paper is porous and a CD is not, so different drying processes are involved. Although we endeavour to match the two as closely as possible slight variances can occur.

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What resolution should my images and graphics be set to?

A minimum of 300dpi for bitmap images.

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Can I send you my artwork files by email or FTP?

Artwork can be sent via email or FTP although we have a 5MB file size restriction on email.

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Can I supply my own films? If so what are the requirements?

Yes. Please call our graphics department for guidance.

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