This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to optimize your phone case designs to ensure the best possible print results, covering key aspects of print technologies, file preparation, and practical tips for both UV and Sublimation printing.
Understanding Printing Technologies
We offer two primary printing methods for phone cases, each with its own characteristics:
UV Printing
Process: This method uses inkjet technology to directly apply your design onto the phone case.
Inks: UV printing utilizes four-color inks (CMYK) along with an opaque white ink for vibrant and detailed prints.
Transparent Areas: While transparent areas in your design won't be printed, any pixels present in those areas will receive an underlayer of white ink along with the colored ink.
Sublimation Printing
Process: In this method, your design is first printed onto a special transfer paper or foil. Heat and pressure are then applied to transfer the design from the paper onto the phone case.
Inks: Sublimation printing does not use white ink.
Local Variations: Since we use local partner stock for production, there might be slight variations in phone case profiles across different regions.
Preparing Your Files for Printing
To ensure optimal print quality, follow these file preparation guidelines:
Resolution
Optimal: For sharp and detailed prints, ensure your files are 300 dpi (dots per inch) at the final print size.
Avoid: Using files with resolutions lower than 150 dpi as this can result in pixelated or blurry prints.
Color and Contrast
Strong Colors: Since the achievable tonal range on plastic is less than on paper, using strong and vibrant colors in your designs is recommended for optimal results.
Design Placement
Coverage: To avoid any unwanted blank spaces, ensure your artwork is large enough to completely cover the phone case, including the bleed area.
Positional Elements: Avoid placing any critical design elements, such as text or logos, too close to the edges of the phone case or camera apertures. This is important to prevent design inconsistencies due to potential variations in phone case profiles.
File Formats
PNG or PDF: For UV printing, especially when your design involves transparent effects, PNG or PDF file formats are recommended.
Transparency: Remember that for UV printing, any transparent areas in your design file will not be printed.
Practical Tips for Outstanding Print Results
Follow these practical tips to get the best print results for your phone case designs:
High-Resolution Files: Always use high-resolution images (300 dpi at the final print size) to ensure sharp, detailed, and professional-looking prints.
Use Strong Colors: Given the limited tonal range of printing on plastic, opting for strong and vibrant colors in your designs will result in more visually appealing prints.
Ensure Full Coverage: Make sure your artwork extends beyond the edges of the phone case and covers the bleed area entirely. This prevents any unprinted areas from being visible in the final product.
Avoid Critical Elements Near Edges: Keep important design elements like text, logos, or intricate details away from the edges of the phone case and camera cutouts. This accounts for slight variations in phone case profiles and ensures your design elements are not compromised.
Choose the Right File Format: For UV printing, use PNG or PDF file formats, especially if your design incorporates transparent effects. These formats preserve transparency and provide the best results for UV printing.