Label Dieline Setup Help Needed

[n2]

While I'm not too new at doing labels, I've never had to actually curve the label to accommodate a tapered cylinder (ice cream pint). I talked with our print vendor (who is actually the print vendor for the ice cream maker) and they want to charge me to do make the adjustments. So I figured I should at least give it a shot.

I've spent about an hour working in Illustrator using Effects>Arc to try and warp the label to the desired curve. I can seem to get the background and the front panel okay, but the left and right sides (bar code and nutrition facts) are killin' me... [:(]

I've attached an image of the dieline provided (top) and how the label is setup now (bottom).

Any thoughts, tips, ideas on how to achieve the desired result?

[desiladki]

Not sure if this will help but these are the instructions I have from a vendor I worked with earlier.

• Arrange your layers so the template layer is on top of your artwork.
• All artwork must be placed so it is centered on the template.
• If you have masks or images that fall to one side or the other you must trim them, otherwise during curving process they will curve incorrectly.
• Group all of your artwork.
• In the "Effects" menu choose "Warp" then "Arc" - the warp options should be as follows: The only thing you need to adjust here is the bend, slide it to the
Left or Right until you get the correct curve. Make sure the preview button is checked and you are not in "outline view" (you will not be able to see any
changes happening if you are in outline view.)
• Click OK.
• If you are not satisfied with the curve you just made go back and edit this curve by going to the Window on the menu bar and select "Appearance".
• In the "Appearance" Menu double click where it says "Warp:Arc" this will open the warp option window in the same place you curved the last time.
• Make your new changes and click "OK".
• Save your Artwork.

[M]

i would be concerned in distorting your barcode if you do this yourself.

the packaging vendors i've worked with do this as part of their production responsibilities and they do it right, i think they have special software. charging extra is crappy, it should have been included in their cost from the git-go. plus they would be charging your client not you.

remember, if you make a mistake then it's on you. the client should be presented with the cost and they should decide.

M

[n2]

Good advice all around, thanks!

M, here's the rub, this particular printing co. chose not to purchase that expensive software to do the warp, so they're doing it by hand too. I think you are correct, I'm still getting a distorted barcode and nutrition facts, and I don't want to mess this label up, so I'm thinking it it worth the extra moola to let them do it...

[jeffreypowers]

N2-

I worked at a print house that did production work cups. I would HIGHLY recommend that you let the vendor do it for a fee because in order to do it you will need the radius of the blanket the cup will be placed on, CurveIt! software which you need Classic to run but if you decide to try to do it yourself. Use the envelope feature in photoshop.

Also do not curve the UPC because it will distort the bar and you wont be able to scan the barcode correctly, you will have to manually rotate the upc.

if you have any questions this email me at hello@jeffreypowers.net

J.

[n2]

Thanks JP, I'm thinking the printer should do it too. It just seems like they are trying to rip us off, they're charging us $120 setup fee for each label for digital labels (first time I've encountered that high of a setup fee for digital, usually its a low "copy change fee"). So with the extra charges for the "warping" of the label, I feel like they are just trying to milk us for all the money they can...and that's what's ticking me off...

[ilovedesign]

It's only going to cost you a lot more money if something goes awry with your attempt at editing that. It's one thing to try to save money, but it's another to take unnecessary shortcuts that may just turn out bad for you in the end. It's really your choice, but there are just times when you should just leave the professionals to do their jobs.