Boda Games Manufacturing Blog

The following are some general things that apply to most of the files that you will need to prepare. All the files need to be in the correct color modes. The resolution should be high enough (minimum 300 ppi). Make sure you use the latest and updated software. Check that everything is labeled and named accordingly.

All files should be submitted as PDFs unless specifically specified otherwise. Making PDFs is pretty easy when you use the right software. When you are saving it, pay extra attention to the following things:

• The PDF should be compatible with Adobe Acrobat Reader 7 (PDF 1.6) or newer/higher.
• The PDF should use the color profile FOGRA 39 (ISO12647-2) to make sure it is the same as what our factory is color calibrated to.
• The filename should clearly show what component it is.
• You don’t need to include color bars or registration marks but trim marks are recommended.

All the files need to be in CMYK color mode unless specified otherwise. Our printers use an offset printing process with CMYK plates: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key (Black). Don’t use RGB, as RGB is a digital format meant for onscreen images.

Images should have a resolution of 300 ppi or 400 ppi. Using images with a resolution lower than 300 ppi can cause them to appear blurry or pixelated after printing. On the other hand, using images with a resolution higher than 400 ppi will create files that are too heavy.

All files need to have 3mm of bleed and a minimum of 3 mm of margin.

Bleed and margin issues are very common, but easy to avoid if you keep this in mind from the start!

Bleed and margin are there to make sure that after printing, when the papers are being cut, there is enough artwork printed that extends to the edge of the page. A very minimal amount of movement may occur when printing with a press and when cutting the paper to the desired size. Thus, if your artwork is made to fit exactly and the press moves a millimeter, then the whole artwork moves 1 mm in a given direction. Then, when we start cutting, part of the paper won’t have any artwork, and the other part will have the artwork cut off partially

Black text needs to be in pure black (C:0% M:0% Y:0% K:100%), not rich black, and the text should be set to overprint.

If the text is not in pure black, it will be easier to notice small variations in the printing. When different color plates are used on text, small misalignments can cause the typeface to appear blurry, particularly with narrow strokes. When using a single color plate, this problem won’t occur, therefore guaranteeing good looking text. Black text is generally considered the easiest to read, hence the recommendation for pure black.

Note: when using black with Spot Color, use the following formula: C:40% M:0% Y:0% K:100%.

Dieline files need to be submitted separately from the artwork, because the department that makes the dieline mold is separated from the printing department. For the dieline files, this can either be in individual dielines PDF files or as a spot layer file. Make sure the files or layers are named accurately, so it is clear which ones belong together.

In case you are not able to export a PDF for the artwork files, then you can also send us the editable files directly. Please mention it specifically when you are sending it over, so that our graphics department knows how to handle the files. For the text in the files, please convert all the text to outlines before sending it to us. Alternatively, send us a link to or the font file(s) along with the artwork files. If the text is not converted to outlines, then sometimes small changes can occur when it is being prepared for printing.

Adobe’s Creative Suite software (particularly Photoshop, Illustrator and Indesign) are often used when creating print files. Using the right software for the right task can make file preparation proceed faster and easier.

Use Indesign for the final layout of the files and to generate the PDF for printing.

Illustrator is the most suitable option for creating vector illustrations.

Photoshop works the best when creating raster illustrations.

We strongly advice you to not use Photoshop for the creation of your final PDFs. Please use Adobe InDesign (preferred) or Adobe Illustrator instead. If you must use Photoshop, please plan for additional time for prepress checks and revisions.