Screen Printing Specifications
These specifications allow for the efficient, trouble-free printing of your materials. If these standards are not followed, delays and additional costs could be incurred.
- A PDF Output Specifications Form is provided. This form must be completed and submitted with your graphics files.
- Please follow the templates carefully.
- Please check the Graphic File Formats and Print Production Tips for further information.
Templates
Please download the appropriate template and follow it carefully.
 | CD, Full-size |
| CD, 3-inch diameter |
| CD, Business Card size |
CD Screen Printing Specs – Full-size
Standard Printing Area is used whenever the CD’s own reflective coating is to be used as the background color. The center portion of the disc up to 39 mm is not reflective, and will give poor contrast. In addition, although the Identification Band area between 39 to 46 mm is reflective, it contains etched characters which create a non-uniform background for the printed artwork.
Extended Printing Area (or any portion of it) can be used whenever a solid color is printed as a background, or if the contrast difference is not a factor. If the background color choice is of a translucent nature, the division between reflective and non-reflective can be noticeable. In these cases, it is best to use the Standard Printing area instead, or print down to the 39 mm mark only.
CD Dimensions
Dimensions represent the diameter value.
| Outer diameter of CD | 120 mm |
| Outer Limit of Printing Area. Also outer edge of the reflective. | 116 mm |
| Inner mirror band. Inner limit for standard printing. | 46 mm |
| Identification Band. Product I.D. Code is engraved in this area. | 46 to 39 mm |
| Inner edge of reflective area. | 39 mm |
| Inner Limit of Extended Printing. | 27 mm |
| Grooved ring on disc. | 25 mm |
| Diameter of hole. | 15 mm |
Film Specs
- Positive
- Right reading
- Emulsion side up
- Minimum film thickness 0.004 in. (0.10 mm)
- Minimum film size 8" x 8"
- Film image shall have sharp, hard edges with a minimum density of 4.0
- Clear area shall have no fog
- Film shall be output at a minimum of 1270 dots per inch. For quality work 2400 dots per inch is recommended
- Color separated with one film per color. The specific PMS Pantone color or process color must be identified at the top right corner of the film along with a job number and print sequence
- A tonal bar containing 25, 50, 75 and 100 percent shaded areas shall be at the upper left of each film. Each area shall be 0.25 inch by 0.25 inch in size
- Film should be free from contamination, pinholes, scratches and creases
Registration Marks
- Registration marks are to be made of solid circles – 2.0 mm in diameter. Solid circles shall be at 45, 135, 225 and 315°. Dots shall be 45 mm from the center of the image to the center of the dot measured both horizontally and vertically. There shall be 90 mm between centers of the registration dots, measured horizontally and vertically. (see diagram)
- Registration marks must appear on ALL pieces of film.
Type Size and Line Print
- Minimum printable type is 4 pt
- Minimum serif width is 0.5 pt
- Minimum reverse print type is 5 pt
- Minimum character line width is 0.5 pt
- Minimum reverse character line width is 0.75 pt
- Any color printing over another color(s) shall have 0.5 pt trap
- Bold face type recommended: best results are achieved with Helvetica bold type (font)
- Boxes, curves, rules – follow the direct and reverse print minimums above
- Only black color can be used to overprint a PMS color without knockouts
Screens & Halftones
- Dot shape MUST be elliptical with hard edge
- Recommended 85 lines per inch, with a maximum of 100 lines per inch
- Multicolor halftones are recommended at 100 lines per inch. If a higher line count is required contact your CSR for special requirements
- Tonal range to be within 15 to 85%
- Printing of vignettes is discouraged
- Lithographic separations shall be rejected
- Rescreened separations shall be rejected
- Radial tints shall not be used
Four color Process – CMYK
- color separated film angles as follows:
- yellow: 0 degrees
- cyan: 15 degrees
- magenta: 75 degrees
- black: 45 degrees
- Single color halftones: 75 degrees
- GCR (gray composition removal) shall be incorporated whenever applicable.
- Any color printing over another color(s) shall have 0.5 pt trap
- For any process job that requires a flood, the flood should be 0.5 mm smaller than the other colors
Proofs
- Any multiprocess or multicolor halftone graphic shall have a proof supplied. This may be a dye proof, chromaline or equivalent.
- Care is taken to match proof copies as close as possible, but can not be guaranteed 100%
- If perfect color match is required then a print sample should be requested. Contact your CSR as there is a charge for print samples.
Ink Colors
- Only Pantone PMS colors are to be used and must be identified by color numbers
- Please note: care is taken to match PMS colors as closely as possible but slight color variations may occur. A white flood coat will help in matching Pantone PMS colors.
Film Identification
The following information shall be found at the top of each piece of film containing halftones:
- color
- screen ruling
- screen angle
- dot shape
- GCR used (%)
- job number
Standard Content
- The designation “Made in Canada” shall be printed on discs designated for export
- Note: when applicable, the appropriate “Compact Disc” logo shall be clearly placed in the graphics with a minimum 50% contrast with background colors.
- No alterations of the logo will be permitted!
A Final Note
Film specifications for screen-printing differ from those of traditional or litho printing. Thus, film output must conform to specific requirements to ensure that you receive the highest quality printing possible!
Further Information
