Mistakes to avoid · Nº 03
Label design mistakes that ruin a print run
Most label print problems trace to a few file mistakes: no bleed (white edges after cutting), important text too close to the cut (trimmed off), building in RGB instead of CMYK (colours shift), and a barcode too small or crowded to scan. Set up bleed, a safe area and CMYK from the start, and the print comes back the way you designed it.
- 01
No bleed
WhyDie-cutting has tolerance. Without background extended past the cut line, small shifts leave an unwanted white edge.
FixExtend background colour and imagery about 3 mm (1/8 inch) beyond the cut line.
- 02
Text in the danger zone
WhyText and logos within ~3 mm of the cut can be trimmed off by the same die tolerance.
FixKeep everything important in the safe area — about 3 mm inside the cut line.
- 03
Designing in RGB
WhyScreens display RGB; presses print CMYK. RGB colours shift, often duller, when converted for print.
FixBuild the file in CMYK from the start, and use Pantone spot colours for exact brand colours.
- 04
A barcode too small or crowded
WhyA barcode needs quiet space around it and a minimum print grade, or it will not scan reliably.
FixGive the barcode room and do not shrink it into a corner or the safe-area edge.
- 05
Low-resolution images
WhyWeb images (72 dpi) look sharp on screen but pixelated in print.
FixUse 300 dpi print-resolution artwork for anything that prints.
- 06
Ignoring the material and finish
WhyA design built for gloss can look flat on matte or textured kraft, and fine lines crack over an emboss.
FixDesign for the actual facestock and finish — proof on the real material before bulk.
Common questions
How much bleed does a label need?
About 3 mm — roughly 1/8 inch — of background extended past the cut line, so die-cut tolerance never leaves a white edge. Confirm the exact figure with your printer.
Why do my label colours look different when printed?
Because the file was built in RGB (for screens) and the press prints in CMYK. Build in CMYK from the start to avoid the colour shift.
Avoid the guesswork
Tell us the surface, the environment and the job, and we’ll spec a material and adhesive that won’t fail — and ship a free sample to prove it.
Materials facts verified by
Kevin— co-founder, materials & manufacturing, Guangzhou. Every claim traces to the factory-floor knowledge base.About Euphora →