Laminated Menus

Submission specifications for PVC Menu Cards

Add 3 mm bleed.

To allow leeway for cutting differences in production, always add a bleed of 3 mm around all edges of your design. Make sure colours, background pictures and layouts extend into the bleed area so as to avoid leaving white lines as a result of cutting tolerances.

Keep 4 mm safety margin

Keep all important text and images at least 4 mm away from the edge of the finished size. Exclusive finishes need to be within the safety margin.

Resolution of at least 300 dpi.

Make sure the resolution of the images and graphics in your artwork are at least 300 dpi.

Use CMYK as the colour mode.

Prepare your files using CMYK as the colour mode, not RGB. Use colourmode FOGRA39 (ISO Coated v2) for coated papertypes and colourmode FOGRA47 (PSO Uncoated ISO12647) for uncoated papertypes. If you are unsure of the colour mode of your file, don't worry we can always convert this for you. Keep in mind this can cause the colours to differ from the original file.

Resolution of at least 150 dpi.

Make sure the resolution of the images and graphics in your artwork are at least 150 dpi.

Convert fonts to outlines or embed all the fonts.

Make sure you convert fonts to outlines or embed all the fonts when saving it to PDF.

Make sure the ink coverage isn't higher than 300%.

Force Color Images to CMYK with a 260% ink limit (in Photoshop > Convert Color Profile > Photoshop 5 Default CMYK). Make sure the ink coverage isn't higher than 300%.

Save your files in uneditable, print-ready file formats.

Save your files in uneditable, print-ready file formats (PDF (1.4 or higher), TIFF, EPS, JPG). Deliver your files in one layer: the background layer.

Here you can find the customised submission specifications for contour cutting.

If you want your product to be cut to a custom shape, you will have to add it as a vector shape on top of your design. Make sure the width of the stroke is 1 pt, the colour is a 100% magenta spot and named "cutcontour". If you want us to adjust it for you, please send the custom shape on a separate page in the desired position. Please note that bleed is still needed for custom shaped designs, meaning your design must go at least 5 mm past the contour cut line.

Use the right values for full colour black.

Use Rich Black (C:63% M:52% Y:51% K:100%) for larger areas and text to get a deep black colour. Do not use this value for text smaller than 15 pt or plain text. This can only be used in full colour printing. For designing black smaller texts use 100% black.

Check line thickness.

Lines should be at least 0.25 pt. Negative lines should be at least 0.5 pt.

Check your artwork for overprint.

Make sure no elements in your artwork are set on overprint unless you want this effect in your design. You can read more about overprint in our Help Centre.

Keep 4 mm safety margin from the fold.

Keep all important text and images at least 4 mm away from the fold.

Save the file for folded products as spreads.

The sides of folded products have to be laid out in a file next to each other.

Make a little folded model (dummy) to check how the pages have to be.

Make a little folded model (dummy) to check how the pages have to be.

Make sure the alignment and the sequence of the sides are recognizable.

Make sure the alignment and the sequence of the sides are recognizable (we do not check your document in terms of content).

Frequently Asked Questions for PVC Menu Cards

What is this product exactly? And what can I use it for?

• A menu card is a paper or PVC card to display menu's, completely adjustable to your design and wishes and available in various sizes and types of paper.
• 
  This product is used:
• • To show the dish selection and prices
• • To show the drink selection and prices
• • Provide information

What is the fastest possible turnaround?

• The fastest possible turnaround for PVC Menu Cards is:
• Nextday
• NOTE: only applicable for products which require your design: To make sure that your order is delivered at the indicated time, it is important that we receive your file with your design for the product, on time (also called cut-off time). In this way the product can be moved into production on time. The deadline is always communicated in the final step when putting your product together and in the box on the right which details your entire order.
• The cut-off time for your printed item may vary. This depends on the combination you choose. This has to do with the manufacturing technique and / or the order quantities.
• NOTE: The product delivery shifts a day every time the deadline for submission has passed. This is also the case if the file is rejected by us and corrected artwork isn't supplied before the next cut off time.

Which production techniques do you use?

• For the production of your PVC Menu Cards we use the following production technique(s):
• 
  Digital printing uses four colours (CMYK) with toners and inks to print digital files. This option is comparable to large home printer, and is cheaper than ‘litho’ printing for smaller quantities. This is because there are less starting costs, less components involved, and no ink drying time necessary.

Which carriers are used for the delivery?

• For the delivery of your PVC Menu Cards we use multiple carriers. We use our most reliable carriers which in most cases are UPS or DPD.
• UPS
• Other carriers we use are DHL and even our own courier service. These carriers are used for certain products (depending on the size, the turnaround and the quantity).

I can't find the product I'm looking for. Can I request a quotation?

• The PVC Menu Cards that is chosen in most cases can be selected via our website.
• 
  If your material type, weight, quantity, size or other specification is not listed, you can request a quotation. We will send you our offer within 1 working day.
• Depending on the complexity this can take a bit longer.

Will my menu cards be plasticized?

• No, your menu cards will not be plasticized. If you want this option, please request a quotation.