InDesign Die Cut Lines

[enigma2212]

Hiya guys!!

Please shed some of your wise words of wisdom on to my problem...
Basically I am creating a pocket folder and have created some die cut lines.
This is the first time I'm using die cut lines so am a newbie here.
Am assuming that die lines are used to show the printers where to fold/cut?

Anyway I have set them up on a separate layer on top of all other layers using the pen tool to draw a 1pt solid line in Magenta for the cuts and a dotted line for the fold.
Is this correct?

If so I now need to send it off to teh printers, so what on Earth do I do next???
When I create the PDF from the document do I specify some special settings or do I leave the die lines on/off?

I am indeed stuck
Please help!

Thanks you guys!

 

[apepp]

...it's fine to leave to die lines on another layer above everything else...

...it is better to use a spot color not used on the art work, and set all the lines to "overprint" via the window > attributes palette...

...the problem with using a process color like magenta is that this color is often used to actually print your job in CMYK (unless you know magenta isn't used)...

...if you know magenta isn't used then still have them "overprinting"...

...you can check all overprints using the separations palette, window > output > sepearations preview...

...the thickness of the lines is irrelevant as the die cut maker has blades that are a set thickness anyway...

...what can help is to have score lines "dotted" and cut guides "solid" lines...

..just ensure when you export to PDF that you use suitable PDF settings that preserve image resolution, PDFX1/A is a good place to start, unless you already have your own custom PDF settings already set up...

...if the art is double sided printing, unsure you have everything lined up on the reverse side (flipping the cut guide horizontally)...

...it also is critical that the art work backs up correctly so the spines line up and not just slapped on a page in any old position...

...typically the cover needs to be 0.5mm wider than the back cover and if you have capacity in the pockets and spine...

...the spine needs to be no less than 3mm in capacity. The capacity on the pocket also needs to be 0.25mm less than the spine allowance, so for a typical example:

VIEWED FROM THE OUTER SIDE (Cover on the right)
spine allowance = 3mm gutter
back cover (left hand side), bottom horizontal pocket allowance = 2.75mm gutter
back cover (left hand side), left hand vertical pocket allowance = 2.5mm gutter

andrew

 

[apepp]

...also ensure you have glue flaps included on your layout and art work bleeding off the cut where appropriate...

andrew

 

[eugenetyson]

Try not to put any artwork on the flaps where it will be glued (it's fine for the part of the flap that is showing, but not the part that has to stick to the folder).

Ink and glue don't work well together.

That said, some people use adhesive strips in which case it doesn't matter.

http://www.doozler.blogspot.com/

 

[apepp]

...yes, eugene is correct...

...good practice to keep the glue flap free of ink apart from a small amount of bleed...

...if it is laminated then it doesn't normally matter either, but better safe to always keep as much ink off the flap as possible...

andrew