Artwork for printed wristbands: a checklist

Files

• Vector first. AI, EPS, PDF or SVG print sharpest at band size. A logo that is only a JPEG will be redrawn or will print soft.
• Text to outlines. Convert fonts to outlines so the printer does not substitute a font you did not choose.
• Raster at 300 dpi. If a photo must go on the band, supply it at 300 dpi at the printed size.

Size and position

Print only inside the print area, and keep the adhesive end clear: it overlaps when the band is closed. As a reference, one supplier quotes about 170 × 15 mm on a 19 mm band and 170 × 21 mm on a 25 mm band. Our print area: the full length of the band or a centre panel, front only.

Repeat the design along the band. Whichever part faces the door host, they see the name.

Text that can be read at the door

• Bold, not thin. Hairline type disappears on a fibrous band. Use a bold weight.
• Short words. VIP, ENTRY, DAY 2, CREW. Two or three words per repeat.
• Contrast with the band. Dark ink on light bands, and check what your printer offers for dark bands before designing for them.

Colour

For one-colour print, give the ink as a Pantone reference. For full colour, supply CMYK. Remember the band colour sits under the ink: the same logo looks different on yellow and on blue.

Numbers and QR codes

• Numbers: say the first number, the last, and where on the band it goes.
• QR codes: keep the encoded text short, such as a short ID instead of a long web address, so the code has fewer, larger squares. Leave a clear margin round the code.
• Codes from your ticketing system: send them as a spreadsheet, one code per row, in print order.

Check the proof

• Spelling of every word, especially names and dates.
• The right band colour for each design.
• First and last numbers, if numbered.
• Scan the QR code on the proof with two or three of the phones your staff will use.
• Quantities per colour add up to the order.

Proof turnaround: the same day, as a digital proof. Start an order from the printed wristbands page.