Print Information for
Paper & Ice Cream Cups

For printing, all colours are converted to CMYK values. We try to match Pantone colours as closely as possible, but deviations can occur. Therefore, it is best to work with CMYK from the outset.

To ensure that your graphics (images, text, etc.) do not become blurry or pixelated, we recommend working with a resolution of at least 300 dpi.

Our printing machines require the print file exactly as we have provided it to avoid shifts or other printing errors.

• Do not alter the artboard (dimensions, format, etc.)
• Do not export the PDF, simply click “Save” (Windows: “CTRL+S”, Apple: “CMD+S”)
• Do not add any bleed or similar elements
• Do not change anything in the elements that are part of the “Technical Layer”

Printing machines use various layers of ink that mix together to create the final colours you see on your cup. These layers consist of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black (commonly referred to as “CMYK”, originating from the English terms). If too much ink is applied, the print becomes too wet and may smear, resulting in a poor-quality print.

Therefore, it is crucial that the total ink coverage does not exceed 280%. It is recommended to check the ink coverage of your final print file with Adobe Acrobat Pro (“All Tools” → “Print Production” → “Output Preview”) or another tool of your choice.

To avoid any font issues, please convert all text to outlines before the final export (In Adobe Illustrator, for example, you can do this by selecting all text and using the shortcut “CTRL+SHIFT+O” (Apple: “CMD+SHIFT+O”)).

► Note: Once text is converted to outlines, it can no longer be edited, so only do this when you have finished your design.

Our printing machines use the standard format PDF, which is well-established in the printing industry. This ensures consistent appearance, regardless of the software or operating system used.

► Please do not add crop marks or other print-specific marks, as our print template already includes them.

In our print template, you will find various layers named according to their purpose. Please place your graphics, text, and images only on the layer labelled “Artwork Layer” – only the content on this layer will be printed!

The ISO 12647-2 colour standard should be available and selected by default in all current design software. If you have set a different colour profile, please change it for the export of your final file to ensure correct colour representation in print.

Slight shifts can occur during printing, as the large printing machines process material at high speeds. To ensure that no unwanted edges appear in the visible area, it is highly recommended that all backgrounds (images, colours, etc.) extend beyond the marked bleed area.

Your customers should be able to read and see what you want to convey. Therefore, it is important that nothing is cut off or lost in print. Place all important elements, such as your text, logos, or key graphics, within the visible area.

► We generally recommend maintaining a small margin of about 4 mm from the edge of the visible area to account for typical shifts in the printing machines.

Since cups are wider at the top than at the bottom, the walls are not vertical. Therefore, printing on cups is not the same as printing on a rectangular sheet of paper. If you do not adjust for this, design elements may appear skewed or distorted.

To help with this, we have included a grid in the print template that visualises the curvature and assists in adjusting your elements accordingly. Text should follow the grid lines; you can use the “Warp” effect in Adobe Illustrator, for example.

The layer labelled “Technical Layer” in our print template contains our print marks to help you with your design. Once you have finished designing, please remember to hide or delete this layer so that your final print file only contains the “Artwork Layer” with your design elements.