Artwork Preparation for Printed Foil Containers
Preparing your printed foil artwork? You can start with the logo or packaging file you already have. We'll review it with your tray and lid, then confirm what is needed for a print proof.
Files for your printed foil artwork
An editable source gives us more to work with than a screenshot. If you only have a JPG today, we can review the idea and identify which parts need a better source before proofing.
- Logo and layout
- AI, editable PDF, EPS or SVG
Include the original source and a preview of how you want the pack to look. A PDF containing a single flat image still has the limitations of that image.
- Photographs
- Original image files
The intended print size matters as much as the file type. A screenshot or compressed chat image may lose detail when enlarged.
- Text and fonts
- Final copy, with font handling agreed
Outlined text preserves letter shapes but is harder to edit. Keep an editable original. Share font files only when your license permits it, or agree on a replacement.
- Dimensions and dieline
- Tray model, drawing and revision
An old dieline is useful as a reference, but the print area must match the current tray or lid. Mark any dimensions that are still provisional.
- File version
- One current file for each printed part
Separate the tray, lid, sleeve and carton artwork. Keep superseded versions out of the production folder, with a short note about what changed.
For Illustrator files, Adobe's packaging guide explains how to collect linked graphics and eligible fonts with your document.
Where will the artwork sit?
The usable print area depends on the component you choose. Tray size alone does not establish the space available for a logo or barcode.
If placement is flexible, let us know whether the logo can move or change size. We'll review it against the actual shape.
- Lid or cover
- The rim and closure area set the boundaries. Review the logo, barcode and any opening instructions on the specific lid, including how it looks after closing.
- Tray wall or base
- Wall angle, corners and forming can change the apparent shape of artwork. A base mark also needs a position that stays readable after stacking and handling.
- Sleeve or label
- Folds, windows and the way the sleeve fits around the tray affect the layout. Include the direction it slides on and the side that faces out.
- Outer carton
- Carton dimensions, print faces, case count and shipping marks belong in a separate file from the consumer pack artwork.
Color references for printed foil artwork
If your brand red must match an existing pack, that pack is a useful starting point. A screen preview can show the layout, but foil reflections and the print surface affect the color you see in your hand.
Your color target
A Pantone reference, an approved printed sample or the previous pack gives us something specific to compare. Identify the color that matters most if several materials appear in the same pack.
For a metallic finish, include the material reference too. Color and surface shine need separate attention during the review.
The proof you approve
Agree on what the first proof will establish: placement, text, color or appearance after forming. A digital layout approval alone does not confirm the finished foil color.
Keep the agreed physical reference with the approved artwork version so a later reorder refers to the same combination.
Before you approve the print sample
Your printed foil artwork needs to work on the finished component. These are the details worth checking with the sample in front of you.
Print-area limits and ink suitability need review for the chosen tray, lid and intended use. Artwork approval by itself is not food-contact or sealing approval.
Questions about your artwork files
Can I use a dieline from a previous supplier?
It can help explain your current pack. We still need to check it against the selected Qixin tray and lid before treating it as the production dieline. Small differences at the rim or corners may change the available print area.
Can the same design go on the tray and lid?
You can use a shared visual design, but each component needs its own placement and size review. Keep the files clearly named so tray artwork is not mistaken for lid artwork.
What if the artwork changes after proof approval?
Send the revised source and identify what changed. The affected placement, color or text needs another review before that version goes into production. Confirm any sample or schedule implications with the revision.
Have a design you'd like us to check?
You don't need a finished production file for the first conversation. Your current artwork and a tray model or pack photo are enough to explain the idea. If a color or logo position cannot change, mention it when you contact us.