Embedded Files
Product Files
Product Files
The Design Element template files are located in the SFO-FS02_PRODUCTFILES_SHARE05 server.
Go to Product Files_Wedding2,
then click on ELM - Design Element.
Within the ELM folder, be sure to navigate to
Final Artwork (not Submitted Designs).
MacOS link:
smb://sfo-fs02/SFO-FS02_PRODUCTFILES_SHARE05/Product Files_Wedding2
Aspera
Aspera
The Design Element template files are located in the SFO-FS02_PRODUCTFILES_SHARE05 folder in Aspera.
Go to Product Files_Wedding2,
then click on ELM - Design Element.
Within the ELM folder, be sure to navigate to
Final Artwork (not Submitted Designs).
Resizing Design Elements
Resizing Design Elements
All Product File template files are size 14” x 14” at 300 ppi.
Small-Scale
The Design Elements should be downsized for the smaller format sizes for cards. Also, customers generally expect the icons to be small (1-3 inches) within the card designs. Please be sure to use your best judgment. If the customer’s request on image size is vague, the QC should request specific dimensions in their note to the customer.
Large-scale
For large-size formats, like the Welcome Sign and Seating Chart, resizing/resampling is unnecessary.
Downsizing Design Elements
Downsizing Design Elements
Downsizing an image means reducing the number of pixels within the image by reducing the image size in Photoshop.
Open the Design Element file in Photoshop. Go to Image Size. Adjust the width and height to 1 inch. Adjust the Resolution to 600 PPI.
Ensure that “Resample” is checked. Note the reduced pixel dimensions are now suitable for small-scale printing. Click on “OK.”
Export the Design Element as a PNG file. Then, place the Design Element PNG in Illustrator and resize it as necessary.
File Setup
File Setup
Layer Setup
Ensure that the Design Element is linked in the Links panel in Illustrator. Linked images will show the “linked” icon.
For Wedding Letterpress (for line/vector only), the Design Element should be adjusted into a compound path with the rest of the card’s design.
Watercolor/Hand-Illustrated Design Elements
Export any vectors that have a watercolor or hand-drawn appearance to a single PNG, link it to the design file, and include the PNG in the zip folder. Do not embed the PNG. Be sure to downsample as necessary. Do not include text elements in the PNG - text should remain live.
For any vectors that do not have a watercolor appearance, simply copy and paste the vector into the design file (do not include any ELM AI files in your zip folder).
Note: Some Design Elements have a combined line vector + watercolor appearance, like the one to the left.
(MIN-03G-ELM)
These should be exported to a PNG as well.
For example, this Design Element (MIN-013-ELM) has a watercolor appearance, but inside Illustrator, each element is a separate vector containing the watercolor image (like the ice and the cherry). You will see these elements in the Links panel. This Design Element would require exporting to a PNG.
A line vector Design Element will not have hand-crafted images in the Links panel.
Digital Compositing
Digital Compositing
WATERCOLOR DESIGN ELEMENTS:
White backgrounds - The Design Element can be placed and used as-is (with any recolor edits applied).
For crests, ensure that the initials fit well within the space and adjust as needed
Light backgrounds - For the best results, the transparency may need to be adjusted.
In AI, under the “Transparency” tool, use the “Blending Tool” to see if “Multiply” or “Normal” achieves the best outcome.
For the example on the left, with the “Normal” setting, the pink portions of the crest blend into the background while the “Multiply” allows for the design to be more visible.
Uploading to MBO
FOR DESIGN ELEMENTS WITH WATERCOLOR OR HAND-DRAWN APPEARANCES
Make sure these are exported into a PNG format. Like photo cards, the proof and Design Element PNG file should be zipped into a compressed folder with only 1 AI file.
FOR DESIGN ELEMENTS THAT ARE SIMPLY LINE VECTORS
Do not include the original Design Element AI in the zip folder. Remember, there can only be one AI file uploaded to MBO.
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