DVD Cover Template FAQ

Why do I need to use your DVD templates? The offset printing presses, guillotines and automatic packaging lines used in disc manufacturing plants are fully automated. The DVD templates on our site are set up exactly to be used with that specific equipment, other manufacturers sizes could vary greatly and cause problems with final product. Save yourself the headache, use our DVD cover templates today

What is meant by "bleed", or "bleed area"? Bleed refers to the amount of DVD 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. Particular care should be taken to ensure no vital graphical elements are too close to the bleed lines contained on the DVD templates - for fear of them being cut off

What software do I need to get the most from your DVD templates? We generally accept files created in Adobe PhotoShop, Quark Xpress or Adobe Illustrator. Please save your files as layered files and include all fonts to ensure the best quality results. More specifics, including exact dimensions and DVD template formatting information can be found here

How do I use your DVD templates?

PhotoShop: Simply import the template as a layer and use guidelines to layout your art. Once done, simply turn off this layer, so just the artwork is printed (not the guidelines)
Quark: Import your DVD cover artwork into the Quark template picture box
Illustrator: Open the ai/eps and lock the template layer, then use the guides to produce your artwork to the correct size then save out as a *.eps file.

File Formats: The DVD cover artwork must be submitted as a CMYK TIF or JPEG (100% quality recommended), at 4075 x 4075 resolution (900dpi) or Adobe Illustrator file with all fonts converted to outlines. Using Illustrator with vector fonts provides the sharpest text handling, and is best for DVD faces with small text.

Do I need to design in CMYK or RGB? For all CD and DVD products and offset printed paper parts - always use CMYK, short run inkjet and digital print paper parts artwork can be supplied as RGB or CMYK.

What's the smallest type size I can use? The smallest point size we can use for print is 5pt.

Will my fonts work when you open my design? All fonts used in the production of DVD template artwork should be supplied with that artwork to ensure correct printing.

What are spot colors and what are process colors? A spot color 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 color when few colors are specified and color accuracy is critical. Spot color inks can accurately reproduce colors that are outside the gamut of process colors. However, the exact appearance of the printed spot color is determined by a combination of the ink medium it's printed on, so it isn't affected by color values you specify or by color management.

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

Will my finished wraps or discs look the same as my inkjet proofs? While PacificDisc does all it can to match your color proofs, we cannot guarantee the final product will match exactly. The only way to be sure is to order an Epson proof from the actual printer being used to produce your finished discs. Speak with your sales rep about color accuracy if this is a concern

Will my on disc print look exactly like the wraps? Not exactly, paper is porous while discs are not, so different drying processes are involved. Although we'll do all we can to match the two as closely as possible, slight variances can occur.

Can I send PacificDisc my DVD cover artwork files by email or FTP? DVD cover artwork can be sent via email (directly to your DVD replication company sales rep) if smaller than 10Mb in total. A much faster and more reliable transport means is to use our FTP server. Server details are available from your sales rep.