Guidelines for Data Preparation
Data Handling
Many questions can be clarified over the phone. For everything else, we are happy to discuss details with you in person—either at your location or over a coffee at our office in Karlsfeld.
With us, you’ll have a dedicated point of contact who understands your needs, preferences, and project goals while keeping an overview of all necessary details. This ensures that all essential information is always in one place, enabling a professional and sustainable collaboration.
Below, you’ll find some key data requirements we need from you to execute your orders successfully:
Programs & Data
- Suitable Programs: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, QuarkXPress
- Not Suitable: CorelDraw, PowerPoint, Excel, Word, or similar programs
File Formats
- Open layout documents must be delivered with all necessary links and fonts or with fonts converted to outlines
- PDF files should be provided without transparency flattening and with embedded fonts
Colors
- All data must be set in CMYK
- Spot colors such as Pantone or HKS must be simulated in CMYK
- Files created in RGB mode will be automatically converted to CMYK
- Professionally produced proofs, in combination with a machine print, provide the best color control
- For color matching with proofing, open files are required
- Uncalibrated color laser and inkjet prints are unsuitable as color references for prepress
File Setup
- Format ratio: 1:10 or 1:1
- Each design should be placed on a separate page in the ordered format
- For multiple prints of the same size, create a multi-page document
- For hollow hems, ensure that logos and text are placed far enough from the edge to avoid stitching interference
- For silicone/gasket edging, allow at least 2 cm bleed all around
- For direct board printing, provide at least 3 mm bleed all around
- If printed hems (e.g., for flags) are required, set them up upon consultation
- If the product is to be contour-cut or milled, define the cutting path as a spot color (solid tone) and name it clearly, e.g., "CutContour"
- Gradients appear smoother when created in pixel-based programs like Photoshop
- Gradients in vector-based programs like Illustrator may show banding or irregular transitions
Vinyl Plotting
- Only vector graphics can be plotted
- Texts must be converted to outlines (no duplicate paths)
- Stroke thicknesses must be converted to outlines
- Minimum uppercase letter height: 10 mm (for serif fonts at least 15 mm)
Resolution Guidelines
- Small format prints (less than 5m²): At 1:1 output size, minimum 70 dpi, maximum 120 dpi
- Large format prints (larger than 5m²): At 1:1 output size, minimum 50 dpi, maximum 80 dpi
- Facade banners: At 1:1 output size, approx. 20–40 dpi
Data Transfer
- Email: Files up to 10 MB can be sent to ftp@hd-xxlprint.de ftp@hd-xxlprint.de
- FTP: Please upload as a compressed ZIP file. Folder naming format: “Client_Project.zip”. FTP access details: Contact your assigned account manager.
- Storage media: We accept CDs, DVDs, or USB sticks for data transfer
Customer Files & Proofs
- Files will only be returned upon request. Otherwise, customer data and proofs will be disposed of free of charge after approximately four weeks.
