Thin single-layer cardboard is mainly used to manufacture individual packaging in which goods are placed. Suitable for products with a lightweight of up to 1 kg, and the image can be applied to it using special offset printing machines (Speedmaster Heidelberg, Komori, Manroland, KBA Rapida)
Minimum circulation
Offset printing on single-layer cardboard is carried out in large batches of 3000-5000 pieces. This is because setting up an offset printing machine requires at least 50 sheets per color. If the print is 4-color, the ready time for rolling out a color will be 200 sheets. In addition to adjustment sheets for printing, other operations also require additional sheets to set up equipment for the print run. Therefore, printing on offset machines is not profitable for customers with small runs.
Offset printing on thin cardboard is advantageous because it:
- It allows you to realize any design ideas and will enable you to obtain images of high and stable quality.
- Cost-effective when producing large batches of over 3000-5000 pieces.
Types of products made from thin cardboard
From single-layer cardboard, it is possible to make:
- individual packaging;
- shells;
- business cards;
- advertising and souvenir products.
Technical requirements for layouts for offset printing:
- Adobe Illustrator (not older than CS6 version);
- Corel Draw (not older than X6 version);
- Adobe PDF;
- Layouts must be provided with layers;
- All publication elements that exceed the trim format must have a bleed allowance of 5-10 mm. But there is no need to set polygraphic (Crop) marks;
- All significant elements located inside the layout should not be closer than 5 mm to the edge of the cutting or scoring lines;
- Creasing lines should be a different color from the cutting lines;
- The minimum thickness of lines (or areas forming a line) should not be less than 0.15 pt (0.055 mm) – one color, 0.45 pt (0.15 mm) – two or more colors, 0.75 pt (0. 27 mm) – negative lines (reversals) for three or more colors;
- The minimum text size should not be less than 5 pt – one color, 8 pt – two or more colors, 9 pt – negative lines (reversals) for three or more colors;
- Black text (lines, drawings, text in curves) must be colored in CMYK 0-0-0-100;
- Larger black dies should be painted a “composite black” color (e.g., C-40, M-30, Y-30, K-100);
- The total amount of CMYK colors should not exceed 280%;
- All layout elements, raster and vector images must be presented in CMYK or PANTONE color models (depending on the color of the publication);
- Fonts in the layout must be converted to curves;
- Linked images should be collected in a separate folder;
- The resolution of raster images must be at least 300 dpi.
