• Early in the discovery process, Zion Packaging will provide each customer with a die line (template) specifically suited to the desired sleeve attributes and bottle size for the project. This die line will define areas of the sleeve in order to aid the customer in sleeve design. Zion die lines will be supplied in .pdf format.
• Our pre-press department runs on Macintosh. Artwork should be supplied in its native format (Illustrator, Photoshop), along with all supporting graphics and fonts. RGB images must be converted to CMYK, as there will be unanticipated color shifts during translation.
• Please provide files uncompressed. Color separation is essential to the gravure printing process. Please provide raster files in layers to allow for necessary printing adjustments. Any modifications Zion makes are exclusively to allow for a better printing result.
• In the event we feel there are components of your artwork that may pose inferior printing results, we will indicate such areas and provide a recommended solution.

• Images must be correctly sized and properly oriented to the sleeve.
• Images should be printed at a minimum of 175 lines per inch. ZionPackaging is capable of printing 250 lines per inch. TIFF or EPS files at 300 dpi minimum resolutions are preferred formats for images.
• 3%-5% minimum printing dot. When fading a gradient with gravure printing, feel free to fade to 0%. (Gravure excels in drop shadows, fine gradients, blends and vignettes)
• If a gradient consists of more than one color (i.e process), please ensure all colors terminate at the same location.

• The minimum type size for good legibility is 6 point. Type face with small serifs or thin strokes should be avoided. Our font size specifications are based on experience and knowing what prints well and what does not.
• Metallic Inks are more to “fill-in”, and a slightly larger font should be considered.
• Key-lines may be required for “knockout” type. This decision will be made depending on various factors, including the color composition of the surrounding background. This single color will enhance printing and provide superior results.
• Any choice to utilize type smaller than 6 point is the sole responsibility of the client.
• All text must be supplied in Illustrator. Text supplied in Photoshop is unacceptable as it has already been converted to an image inside the program. Finally, Photoshop text will appear blurry when printed. In the event you do not have access to Illustrator, or your artwork is only available as a Photoshop file, Zion will rebuild the file in Illustrator. Please note pre-press hourly rates will apply.

• Ultimately Zion Packaging will convert all text to outlines, whether or not a client supplies the artwork with text converted to outlines. A client has two options:
  • Supply artwork with text converted to outlines. No (limited) editing will be possible by Zion.
  • Supply artwork INCLUDING all utilized fonts. In the event minor text revisions are required, Zion can easily make these changes without trouble.

• Please ensure all copy is placed within the “Text Zone” as indicated on the Zion Packaging supplied die line.

• Customer must supply UPC code numbers.
• If necessary, we have the tools to generate a barcode for your product. Simply supply us with the first 11 digits of the code. Zion will scan the barcode and ensure its readability.
• UPC codes should be positioned on design to run in machine direction (vertically). This will ensure limited distortion during the shrinking process.
• Please design the barcode with high contrast in mind. Black on white provides the best combination for success.
• Should you supply the barcode, please set the bar width reduction (BWR) at .001*(Gravure)
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• Artwork should be submitted un-trapped.
• The standard for traps is 0.2mm. On occasion, a smaller trap is used if we feel it necessary and prudent to provide the best printing results.

• Often the contour of a bottle and corresponding nature of sleeve shrinkage will affect the overall appearance of a project.
• Zion will offer suggestions if distortion-correction is necessary for your project.
• Zion utilizes computer modeling in order to compensate for predicted shrink rate differences in order to achieve a desired result. Please ask for details.

• Often a client will offer a family of products that may employ similar features or elements. There are design considerations that may allow the use of common plates/cylinders in several products, offering significant savings.
• Similarly, clients many times offer a product in several countries, with requirements for different languages. In these cases, it tends to be incredibly practical to design with black or dark text. It is common to be able to utilize overprint techniques, where *only* the primary text cylinders is unique, and all other cylinders are commonly used. Please ask Zion how to achieve this goal.

• During the art submittal process, there typically are a few points at which Zion’s graphics department will provide PDF files to electronically proof. This process enables a client to find errors early and correct before final traps and adjustments are made to artwork.
• Upon approval of electronic PDF, Zion will create an Epson print proof for the client to review before the project is released to plate/cylinder creation.
• While Epson proofs are fairly color accurate, there are often slight variations in color when comparing a proof to the final product.
• A color proof of finished art must be signed and dated and returned to Zion prior to manufacturing.
• In the event a client must have 100% certainty of the final product, Zion offers on-press first articles. An additional fee applies for this service. Contact Zion for details.
• Customers are responsible for any misspellings or errors in the artwork they supply Zion Pack.

• If changes to artwork are required outside the scope of the original quotation, jobs will be assessed and invoiced on an individual basis.

Up to 10 colors.

Typical DPI is 175-220, with capability up to 250.

All Zion Packaging cylinders are guaranteed for life. In the event a cylinder is needed beyond its useful life, Zion will replace the cylinder at no cost.

All import and shipping costs, if any, are included in the quoted price.

Design work, computer file preparation, proofs and film are quoted and billed separately, depending on customer requirements.

For gravure printing, cylinder engraving typically costs $350-475 per cylinder (color), depending on the size of the cylinder.

For flexographic printing, cylinder engraving typically costs $100-$150 per cylinder (color), depending on the size of the cylinder.

For digital printing, expect an artwork preparation charge of $100.

All requests should be sent via our contact form or call us at 949-361-8828. We will respond to your inquiry within 1 business day. Please include the following information on any correspondence:

• Project Name
• Film type desired (if known)
• Bottle Specifications
• # of colors (including clear)
• Annual forecast quantity (number of sleeves)
• Initial order quantity (number of sleeves)
• Date required

For gravure, we can typically deliver initial shrink sleeves to the west coast within 6 weeks of art approval. Or by airfreighting at an extra charge we can produce and delivery within 15 business days from artwork approval. Repeat orders can reach the US within 3-4 weeks of order. Please give us a call to discuss.

For flexographic, we can typically deliver shrink sleeves within 15 business days from artwork approval. A reminder though, plan for artwork approval to take 2-4 days.

For digital, we can typically deliver within 15 business days from artwork approval.

For Gravure, typically 50 to 100 thousand

For Flexographic, typically 10 to 50 thousand.

For Digital, 5 to 5000.

Most clients these days submit artwork to us via one of the multitude of online sites, such as dropbox. Please contact us if alternative methods are needed. Artwork should be provided in Adobe Illustrator, with source files and fonts included.

Yes. Temporary warehousing services are considered part of Zion’s service offering. Extended warehousing is also available should a customer require the service. Please give us a call to discuss.

FOB California with advanced deposit and down payment for sleeve order and cylinder creation. Zion will extend payment terms to qualified customers.

Shrink sleeves are placed in an insulated shipping box. These boxes are then typically palletized 4 cases per layer and 32-36 cases per pallet. Total height of the pallet should not exceed 6 feet.

• Sleeves should be stored out of direct sunlight
• Sleeves are temperature sensitive and should be stored between 40 degrees F – 77 degrees F maximum
• Sleeves that are reeled should be stored flat so that the reel core maintains its circular shape.

Shrink sleeves that are stored correctly are guaranteed for 6 months. It is typical for us to see properly stored sleeves being used up to a year later.