FAQ’S

This is artwork that we can manipulate and separate into individual elements for branding. This artwork is also the highest quality and is in the original design format. Vector artwork is created using vector illustration software programmes such as Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw. These programmes use points, lines and shapes to create artwork that can be scaled infinitely without any loss of quality. Vector artwork is editable and the artwork can be changed according to your specifications.

There are a few formats that will be acceptable, namely:

• Adobe Illustrator (.ai)

• Corel Draw (.cdr)

• Freehand (.fh)

• EPS

• PDF

  Please note: vector and non-vector artwork, or a combination of the two, can be stored in any of the above formats. In order to check if artwork is vector, zoom into the image. If you see pixellated edges, as illustrated below, it means the artwork is non-vector (vector artwork will remain crisp and clear no matter how much you zoom into the image). Alternatively, click on the artwork and if a blue block appears around it, as illustrated below right, it means that the artwork is non-vector and the elements cannot be separated. 

RICOFILL INDUSTRIES has a very high quality standard when it comes to branding. Artwork has a lot to do with the quality of branding. If the quality of the artwork is not acceptable we will not use it as it will compromise the quality of the branding. Certain branding methods can use very high quality jpeg images for branding, these methods include embroidery, digital processes and CMYK screen printing. However we cannot amend jpeg artwork at all, e.g. change the colour of a logo.

We do not use quick traced artwork as quick traces often result in uneven lines and this compromises the print quality, we would rather recommend a redraw of the logo.

There is a tool in Corel Draw that allows you to automatically convert a non-vector logo into vector. This tool does not always work well, the reason is because it simply traces the edges of the artwork and where colours start and end. The result is a vector image but it will be broken and the edges will not be smooth. For this reason RICOFILL INDUSTRIES does not use quick traced artwork because it compromises the quality of the branding.

When artwork contains wording in a certain font and the font is not converted to curves or paths it remains in a text format. This means that when the artwork is imported into a design programme the programme reads it as text that can be edited. If we do not have the font that the wording was created in, the design programme will automatically convert it to a font that we do have, compromising the original artwork. Converting to curves or paths results in the design programme reading the font as a drawing instead of text and, as such, the programme does not require the font.

Alternatively you can send us the font file to install. We cannot redraw the artwork if it is not converted to curves because as soon as we put the artwork into a design programme to start redrawing it will substitute the font with a different font.

If you send us non-vector artwork for a process that requires vector artwork, our redraw artists will have to re-create the artwork in vector. In order for the artist to do this s/he needs to import the non-vector into Corel Draw and trace the artwork.

Not all images can be redrawn, if there is any shading or gradients in the artwork it is impossible to achieve. We are also unable to redraw photographs.

This is a time consuming process, which requires a lot of attention so that there are no errors in the redrawn artwork. If the artwork is simple and will take an artist less than 10 minutes to redraw, we redraw the artwork at no charge.

If the logo is more complicated, it will be charged for. Please remember that the lead time for redrawing artwork is 24 - 48 hours as the demand is quite high.

Vector artwork is required for the below processes:

• Screen Printing (spot colours)

• Pad Printing

• Laser Engraving

• Debossing

  Non-vector artwork can be used for the below (please note that it must be high quality):

Non-vector artwork can be used for the below (please note that it must be high quality):

• Screen Printing (CMYK process only)

• Embroidery

• Sublimation

• Stickers

• Dome Stickers

• Heat Press

• Digital Transfer Printing

• Direct to Product Printing

  Please remember: vector artwork can be used for all of our branding processes. When using non-vector artwork and a change to the artwork is requested, it cannot be actioned and vector artwork will need to be supplied. 

Please remember: vector artwork can be used for all of our branding processes. When using non-vector artwork and a change to the artwork is requested, it cannot be actioned and vector artwork will need to be supplied.

Screen printing: the print preparation requires that the artwork be separated into its individual colours.

Each element or set of elements that is a different colour gets printed on a different screen, e.g. a 2-colour logo requires 2 different screens.

Embroidery: artwork is digitised as a whole and the colours are specified when digitising. As the logo does not have to be separated into various elements, we do not have to have vector artwork unless changes need to be made to the artwork.

If you send through a mock-up it is very useful as it gives the layout artist an idea of what your client wants.

When the layout artist is doing the layout they have to take the branding guideline into consideration. If the mock-up shows branding that is outside of the parameters indicated on the guideline the layout artist will create a layout that is as close to what you require, but falls within our guidelines. 

Our guidelines are created to ensure that we have shorter lead-times and a reduced number of rejects in production. If you have a client that would like to brand in a position outside our guidelines you are welcome to contact your account manager with the code of the item, a copy of the logo that your client requires and the information regarding the size of the logo and where they would like to brand. The account manager will then speak to production and find out if it is possible.

This is a method employed in Screen Printing to print a full-colour image that has shading and gradients. This is perfect for printing photographs and detailed images.

This process uses 4 colours, namely: cyan, magenta, yellow and black. It works similarly to digital printing in that it uses a combination of the 4 colours mentioned to print almost every available colour. Like a digital printer, white and metallic cannot be created from these 4 colours and if there is white in the artwork, that must be printed first.
The screens for this process are made such a way that they allow a certain percentage of each ink colour to flowthrough individual screens.

When branding via CMYK on a white item we charge for a 4-colour print, however if we are branding CMYK on a coloured item we will need to charge for a 5-colour print because we need to print white as a base owing to CMYK inks being semi-transparent.

We advise that you check with your Account Manager before as we have to look at the artwork and the material that you require branding on so that we can determine if a CMYK print will work. 

If a client supplies a CMYK colour breakdown, but requires that it match a Pantone colour this is not always possible as there are a limited number of Pantone colours that exist, but innumerable CMYK colours. We try to match the colours as closely as possible.

We have a variety of programmes in the layouts department:

• Adobe Illustrator
• Photoshop
• Corel Draw

The main programme that we use is Corel Draw. 

The times will vary from layout to layout dependent on the complexity of the layout or the quality of the artwork that has been provided.

Simple layouts with good quality artwork take a maximum of 10 minutes.

If the artwork has many elements and colours and you want us to brand in 1 colour it can take up to 20 minutes to convert it to a 1-colour artwork.

If there is personalisation with a large number of names that are going on, e.g. clothing items, the layout can take up to 2 hours to do.

Generally layouts follow a 2 hour lead-time because there are numerous layouts in the queuing system with varying degrees of complexity. When a layout is required, the request gets added to the system at the end of the queue and the layout artists work through each in turn. 

When a layout is done we need to make sure that the logo is in proportion. If we are branding on a pen, for example, and the guideline says that we can brand 60mm wide and 6mm high, we will need to fit the logo into the area shown on the guideline.

In certain departments we can make the text smaller depending on the font and the texture of the item.

A basic guideline below:

• Screen Printing                     2mm high

• Pad Printing                          1mm high

• Debossing/Foiling                4mm high

• Embroidery                           5mm high

• Laser Engraving                   1mm high

• Sublimation                          1mm high

• Heat Press                             1mm high

• Stickers/Domed Stickers      1mm high

• Digital Transfer Printing      1mm high 

• Direct to Product Printing    0.5mm high

In cases where the text is smaller than given in the above guidelines or the text may close up due to the font used or the texture of the product it is being branded on, we advise leaving off the text. 

When we have a logo that has gaps in the artwork where the item is going to show through we fill those gaps with thread that is the same colour as the item so that the logo has a neat, professional finish.

When a layout is requested we have to ascertain what will work and take the branding guidelines and texture of the item into consideration. We strive to achieve exactly what you want, but that is not always possible as sometimes it will not work.

In cases where the branding requested will not work we provide you with 2 options:

1. The option that you have requested which will be noted as the “Not Recommended” there will be warnings stating why this is not recommended.
2. An alternative, “Recommended” option which will not be exactly as you requested, but that takes all factors, e.g. sizes, texture of item, branding process and the client’s logo, into consideration and will work.

This is put into place to not just protect RICOFILL INDUSTRIES but also to protect you, our client. If you choose to go ahead with the “not recommended” option and you are not happy with the outcome, we are not liable to replace the order as the layout clearly stated why the branding should not be done and an option that would have worked was supplied. 

If the item is lined, e.g. a cooler bag, it is difficult to screen print more than one colour. In screen printing we have to apply a light glue spray to the board that the item is loaded on so as to prevent movement of the item during printing. This ensures that the branding position is consistent and that, when branding more than one colour, the registration of the logo is correct. In cases where an item has a lining, only the bottom layer of the lining adheres to the board leaving the top layer loose; as a result we cannot ensure that all of the colours in the logo will register (line up) correctly and consequently restrict the number of colours we brand on certain item.

The number of print colours may be also be restricted due to the type of material the item is made of. When we brand a multi-colour logo the print must be dried after each individual colour is laid down. Some items cannot withstand long periods of heat so we cannot dry each individual colour when branding and we have to restrict the number of print colours.

This is a term that is used in printing that refers to laying down all the colours of the artwork in the correct places. If the registration is off the colours next to each other will either overlap or be too far apart and spaces will be evident.

• Always check what warnings are on the layouts before you approve it as if it states information like texture of product will effect print/ small text may not be legible etc and the branding turns out to be as per the layout with the warning we wont accept that job as a reject job.
• Check the colours stated that we will brand and always try give us a Pantone colour, a colour branded may be one shade out from what is mentioned as the colours are mixed.
• If you have a marathon colour please supply this as there are a fraction of marathon colours compared to Pantone colours so matching a thread colour to Pantone colour will never be exact and is often left up to discretion of what we think will work best but your client may have something else in mind. 

Panels on garments are inconsistent and one item will not be exactly the same as the next. Because of this, if we brand according to the stripe detail or the panel, the logos will not come out on the left chest branding position resulting in incorrect positioning when the shirt is worn.

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