Ad and Artwork Submission Guidelines (blue envelope printed coupons)
Valpak Templates & Size Specifications
PhotoSource Online & other stock image options
Click the link below if you need to upload digital file(s) to Valpak:
Click the link below if you need to upload digital file(s) to Valpak:
“-L” = 7pt Matte Cardstock
“+I” = With Imprinting
OCP44-L+I: Is a Non-Bleed product with imprinting, build the layout using the Live Image Area size. Keep all layout elements that you don’t want to be trimmed or cropped, inside of the Live Image Area.
Click HERE to download the 1-Panel InDesign templates (Horizontal and Vertical Layouts).
Examples of properly built OCP44-L+I with barcode match back imprinting:
The Imprinting Area is the available space for the Imprint Window. It must not be closer than .25″ from the Trim Area, and no more than 4″ from the Trim Area.
The Imprint Window is where the code will be printed, and the Imprint Window must be clear of all backgrounds, images, artwork or text.
The Flap/Front Position Imprint Window must be on side 1:
For the Flap/Front Position in the envelope, the Imprint Window must be located on side 1 and can be on the right or left side of the layout anywhere inside of the Imprinting Area, as seen in the visual below.
The Back/Last Position Imprint Window must be on side 2:
For the Back/Last Position in the envelope, the Imprint Window must be located on side 2 and can be on the right or left side of the layout anywhere inside of the Imprinting Area, as seen in the visual below.
The Imprinting Area is the available space for the Imprint Window. It must not be closer than .25″ from the Trim Area on the left or right side, and not closer than 1 inch from the Trim Area on the top or bottom, and no more than 4″ from the Trim Area.
The Imprint Window is where the barcode will be printed, and the Imprint Window must be clear of all backgrounds, images, artwork or text.
The Flap/Front Position Imprint Window:
For the Flap/Front Position in the envelope, the Imprint Window must be located on side 1 and can be on the right or left side of the layout anywhere inside of the Imprinting Area (shown in gray), as seen in the visual below.
The Back/Last Position Imprint Window:
For the Back/Last Position in the envelope, the Imprint Window must be located on side 2 and can be on the right or left side of the layout anywhere inside of the Imprinting Area (shown in gray), as seen in the visual below.
**IMPORTANT IMPRINTING NOTE: The Imprint Window must be clear of all backgrounds, images, artwork or text.
For more information on Imprinting, please contact your Valpak representative.
Horizontal Layout visual showing an incorrectly built OCP44-L+I product. NNotice that some background images, text, and the business logo are outside the Live Image Area. This will result in these elements being trimmed when this is printed.
Horizontal Layout visual showing a correctly built OCP44-L+I product. All of the layout elements are completely contained within the Live Image Area, and the Imprint Window is clear of all backgrounds, images, artwork or text.
PDF (press ready) Ad Submission Guidelines: Click Here
This page showcases some examples of PlusOne designs. More examples will be added periodically, so please visit this page whenever you’d like to see what’s new!
Click on a category listed below to see PlusOne examples for the selected category.
• Asian Restaurants
• Auto Repair
• Car Wash / Detail
• Carpet / Upholstery Cleaning
• Dentists
• Dry Cleaners / Laundry
• Garage Door Installation & Repair
• Hair Salons
• Heating / Air Conditioning
• Home Remodeling / Construction
• Ice Cream
• Italian Restaurants
• Maid Services / Commercial Cleaning
• Massage
• Mexican Restaurants
• Nail Salons
• Oil and Lube
• Pizza Restaurants
• Quick Serve
• Roofing and Siding
• Sit Down Restaurants
• Sub Shops / Deli
• Tire Dealers
• Window Treatments / Drapery / Blinds
• Window / Glass / Door
Click here to proceed to the PlusOne product specifications and guidelines page.
Click here to proceed to the PDF (Press Ready) ad submission guidelines page.
Asian Restaurants
Spec.0014PlusOne – Side 1 (Postcard Side)
Spec.0014PlusOne – Side 2 (Address Side)
Auto Repair
Spec.0013PlusOne – Side 1 (Postcard Side)
Spec.0013PlusOne – Side 2 (Address Side)
Car Wash / Detail
Spec.0021PlusOne – Side 1 (Postcard Side)
Spec.0021PlusOne – Side 2 (Address Side)
Carpet / Upholstery Cleaning
Spec.0019PlusOne – Side 1 (Postcard Side)
Spec.0019PlusOne – Side 2 (Address Side)
Dentists
Spec.0015PlusOne – Side 1 (Postcard Side)
Spec.0015PlusOne – Side 2 (Address Side)
Dry Cleaners / Laundry
Spec.0022PlusOne – Side 1 (Postcard Side)
Spec.0022PlusOne – Side 2 (Address Side)
Garage Door Installation & Repair
Spec.0030PlusOne – Side 1 (Postcard Side)
Spec.0030PlusOne – Side 2 (Address Side)
Hair Salons
Spec.0017PlusOne – Side 1 (Postcard Side)
Spec.0017PlusOne – Side 2 (Address Side)
Heating / Air Conditioning
Spec.0020PlusOne – Side 1 (Postcard Side)
Spec.0020PlusOne – Side 2 (Address Side)
Home Remodeling / Construction
Spec.0025PlusOne – Side 1 (Postcard Side)
Spec.0025PlusOne – Side 2 (Address Side)
Ice Cream
Spec.0034PlusOne – Side 1 (Postcard Side)
Spec.0034PlusOne – Side 2 (Address Side) Separator
Italian Restaurants
Spec.0024PlusOne – Side 1 (Postcard Side)
Spec.0024PlusOne – Side 2 (Address Side)
Maid Services / Commercial Cleaning
Spec.0027PlusOne – Side 1 (Postcard Side)
Spec.0027PlusOne – Side 2 (Address Side)
Massage
Spec.0029PlusOne – Side 1 (Postcard Side)
Spec.0029PlusOne – Side 2 (Address Side)
Mexican Restaurants
Spec.0018PlusOne – Side 1 (Postcard Side)
Spec.0020PlusOne – Side 2 (Address Side)
Nail Salons
Spec.0035PlusOne – Side 1 (Postcard Side)
Spec.0035PlusOne – Side 2 (Address Side)
Oil and Lube
Spec.0023PlusOne – Side 1 (Postcard Side)
Spec.0023PlusOne – Side 2 (Address Side)
Pizza Restaurants
Spec.0011PlusOne – Side 1 (Postcard Side)
Spec.0011PlusOne – Side 2 (Address Side)
Quick Serve
Spec.0031PlusOne – Side 1 (Postcard Side)
Spec.0031PlusOne – Side 2 (Address Side)
Roofing and Siding
Spec.0028PlusOne – Side 1 (Postcard Side)
Spec.0028PlusOne – Side 2 (Address Side)
Sit Down Restaurants
Spec.0012PlusOne – Side 1 (Postcard Side)
Spec.0012PlusOne – Side 2 (Address Side)
Sub Shops / Deli
Spec.0032PlusOne – Side 1 (Postcard Side)
Spec.0032PlusOne – Side 2 (Address Side)
Tire Dealers
Spec.0033PlusOne – Side 1 (Postcard Side)
Spec.0033PlusOne – Side 2 (Address Side)
Window Treatments / Drapery / Blinds
Spec.0026PlusOne – Side 1 (Postcard Side)
Spec.0026PlusOne – Side 2 (Address Side)
Window / Glass / Door
Spec.0016PlusOne – Side 1 (Postcard Side)
Spec.0016PlusOne – Side 2 (Address Side)
Click here to proceed to the PlusOne product specifications and guidelines page.
Click here to proceed to the PDF (Press Ready) ad submission guidelines page.
PlusOne: Is a Bleed** product, so background images and art elements can extend into the Bleed area of the template. Keep all layout elements that you don’t want to be trimmed or cropped, inside of the Live Image Area of the template. The Address Area must be clear of all backgrounds, images, artwork or text.
** IMPORTANT Note about Bleed Products: Valpak’s templates are intentionally built without bleed settings applied. If using a Valpak template and your product calls for a bleed, do not enter any bleed settings. Instead, simply build your layout according to the bleed margins designated on the template.
Click HERE to download the InDesign templates.
Example of a properly built PlusOne product:
Side 1 (Postcard Side) layout visual showing where the Bleed Area and Live Image Area are located.
Side 2 (Address Side) layout visual showing where the Bleed Area, Live Image Area, and Address Area are located.
CRITICAL DESIGN NOTE: The Address Area must be clear of all backgrounds, images, artwork or text.
Background images and art elements can extend into the Bleed Area of the template. Keep all other text, logo, and important layout elements inside of the Live Image Area of the template. The Address Area must be clear of all backgrounds, images, artwork or text.
Visual showing an incorrectly built PlusOne product. Notice that both the Mercedes logo and the headline are extending into the Bleed Area. Also notice that design elements are extending into the Address Area. This does not meet Valpak guidelines for PlusOne products.
Visual showing a correctly built PlusOne product. Only the background is extending into the Bleed Area, and all the important layout elements are completely within the Live Image Area. The Address Area is also clear of all backgrounds, images, artwork or text.
For the PDF (press ready) Ad Submission Guidelines: Click Here
If you are designing a new PlusOne product and would like to get some design ideas, please check out our Lean Gallery here: www.valpaklean.com
OnPak-A: Is a Bleed** product, background images and art elements can extend into the Bleed area of the template. Keep all layout elements that you don’t want to be trimmed or cropped, inside of the Live Image Area of the template.
** IMPORTANT Note about Bleed Products: Valpak’s templates are intentionally built without bleed settings applied. If using a Valpak template and your product calls for a bleed, do not enter any bleed settings. Instead, simply build your layout according to the bleed margins designated on the template.
Click HERE to download the InDesign templates.
Example of a properly built OnPak-A product: Remember – NO VERTICAL designs. On-Pak layouts must be designed as landscape/horizontal format.
Layout visual showing where the Bleed Area and Live Image Area are located.
The background images and art elements can extend into the Bleed Area. Keep all other layout elements inside of the Live Image Area.
Visual showing an incorrectly built OnPak-A product. Notice the Pizza Nova banner extending into the Bleed Area on the bottom right of the layout. This does not meet Valpak guidelines for OnPak-A products.
Visual showing a correctly built OnPak-A product. Only the background is extending into the Bleed Area, and all the important layout elements are completely within the Live Image Area.
For the PDF (press ready) Ad Submission Guidelines: Click Here
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Another Ad Example…
Notice the limited information provided for Side 1.
Also notice that no headline was provided and the artist was instructed to locate a stock image. Note, this particular Side 1 is teetering on having too much content.
Additional offers and extraneous information was placed on Side 2:
See Page 2 for additional information
See Page 3 for Lean design examples
See Page 4 for details on MDC Lean template
See Page 5 for a franchise artist information gathering PDF
For Lean Ad FAQs – Click Here
For question or concerns regarding Lean design email: valpaklean@valpak.com
2 Panel Flyer
“-W” = 54# matte paper
“+L” = Price Varient
2-Panel Oversized Flyer: Is a Non-Bleed product, build the layout using the Live Image Area size. Keep all layout elements that you don’t want to be trimmed or cropped, inside of the Live Image Area.
Click HERE to download the 2-Panel InDesign templates (Horizontal Layouts).
Examples of properly built Oversized 2-Panel Flyer products:
Horizontal Layout visual showing the Trim and Live Area, and indicating where the Fold and Gutters are located.
Horizontal Layout visual showing an incorrectly built Oversized 2-Panel Flyer product. Notice that the “Call Now” button is outside the Live Image Area. This will result in the button being trimmed when this is printed.
Horizontal Layout visual showing a correctly built Oversized 2-Panel Flyer product. All of the layout elements are completely contained within the Live Image Area.
PDF (press ready) Ad Submission Guidelines: Click Here
“-C” = 9pt UnCoated Cardstock Paper
“+I” = Imprinting
CP44-C+I: Is a Non-Bleed product with barcode imprinting, build the layout using the Live Image Area size. Keep all layout elements that you don’t want to be trimmed or cropped, inside of the Live Image Area. This product can also be designed for Imprinting.
Click HERE to download the InDesign templates (Horizontal and Vertical Layouts).
Examples of properly built CP44-C+I with barcode imprinting:
The Imprinting Area is the available space for the Imprint Window. It must not be closer than .25″ from the Trim Area, and no more than 4″ from the Trim Area.
The Imprint Window is where the barcode will be printed, and the Imprint Window must be clear of all backgrounds, images, artwork or text.
The Flap/Front Position Imprint Window must be on the right side of side 1:
For the Flap/Front Position in the envelope, the Imprint Window must be located on side 1 and on the right side of the layout anywhere inside of the Imprinting Area, as shown in the visual below.
The Back/Last Position Imprint Window must be on the left side of side 2:
For the Back/Last Position in the envelope, the Imprint Window must be located on side 2 and on the left side of the layout anywhere inside of the Imprinting Area, as shown in the visual below.
**IMPORTANT IMPRINTING NOTE: The Imprint Window must be clear of all backgrounds, images, artwork or text.
For more information on Imprinting, please contact your Valpak representative.
Horizontal Layout visual showing an incorrectly built CP44-K+I product. Notice that there are portions of text and part of the image positioned outside the Live Image Area. This will result in these elements being trimmed when this is printed.
Horizontal Layout visual showing a correctly built CP44-K+I product. All of the layout elements are completely contained within the Live Image Area, and the Imprint Window is clear of all backgrounds, images, artwork or text.
PDF (press ready) Ad Submission Guidelines: Click Here
“-C” = 9pt UnCoated Cardstock Paper
“+I” = Imprinting
CP44-C+I: Is a Non-Bleed product with barcode imprinting, build the layout using the Live Image Area size. Keep all layout elements that you don’t want to be trimmed or cropped, inside of the Live Image Area. This product can also be designed for Imprinting.
Click HERE to download the InDesign templates (Horizontal and Vertical Layouts).
Examples of properly built CP44-C+I with barcode imprinting:
The Imprinting Area is the available space for the Imprint Window. It must not be closer than .25″ from the Trim Area, and no more than 4″ from the Trim Area.
The Imprint Window is where the barcode will be printed, and it can be on the left or right side of the layout anywhere inside of the Imprinting Area.
**IMPORTANT IMPRINTING NOTE: The Imprint Window must be clear of all backgrounds, images, artwork or text.
For more information on Imprinting, please contact your Valpak representative.
Horizontal Layout visual showing an incorrectly built CP44-K+I product. Notice that the “Speed Pass” artwork is outside the Live Image Area. This will result in this element being trimmed when this is printed.
Horizontal Layout visual showing a correctly built CP44-K+I product. All of the layout elements are completely contained within the Live Image Area, and the Imprint Window is clear of all backgrounds, images, artwork or text.
PDF (press ready) Ad Submission Guidelines: Click Here
“-L” = 7pt Matte Cardstock
“+I” = With Imprinting
OCB44-L+I: Is a Bleed** product with barcode match back imprinting, background images and art elements can extend to the Bleed size. Keep all layout elements that you don’t want to be trimmed or cropped, inside of the Live Image Area.
** IMPORTANT Note about Bleed Products: Valpak’s templates are intentionally built without bleed settings applied. If using a Valpak template and your product calls for a bleed, do not enter any bleed settings. Instead, simply build your layout according to the bleed margins designated on the template.
Click HERE to download the 1-Panel InDesign templates (Horizontal and Vertical Layouts).
Examples of properly built OCB44-L+I with barcode match back imprinting:
The Imprinting Area is the available space for the Imprint Window. It must not be closer than .25″ from the Trim Area, and no more than 4″ from the Trim Area.
The Imprint Window is where the code will be printed, and the Imprint Window must be clear of all backgrounds, images, artwork or text.
The Flap/Front Position Imprint Window must be on side 1:
For the Flap/Front Position in the envelope, the Imprint Window must be located on side 1 and can be on the right or left side of the layout anywhere inside of the Imprinting Area, as seen in the visual below.
The Back/Last Position Imprint Window must be on side 2:
For the Back/Last Position in the envelope, the Imprint Window must be located on side 2 and can be on the right or left side of the layout anywhere inside of the Imprinting Area, as seen in the visual below.
The Imprinting Area is the available space for the Imprint Window. It must not be closer than .25″ from the Trim Area on the left or right side, and not closer than 1 inch from the Trim Area on the top or bottom, and no more than 4″ from the Trim Area.
The Imprint Window is where the barcode will be printed, and the Imprint Window must be clear of all backgrounds, images, artwork or text.
The Flap/Front Position Imprint Window:
For the Flap/Front Position in the envelope, the Imprint Window must be located on side 1 and can be on the right or left side of the layout anywhere inside of the Imprinting Area (shown in gray), as seen in the visual below.
The Back/Last Position Imprint Window:
For the Back/Last Position in the envelope, the Imprint Window must be located on side 2 and can be on the right or left side of the layout anywhere inside of the Imprinting Area (shown in gray), as seen in the visual below.
**IMPORTANT IMPRINTING NOTE: The Imprint Window must be clear of all backgrounds, images, artwork or text.
For more information on Imprinting, please contact your Valpak representative.
Horizontal Layout visual showing an incorrectly built OCB44-L+I product. Notice that the business logo is outside the Live Image Area. This will result in the business logo being trimmed.
Horizontal Layout visual showing a correctly built OCB44-L+I product. The background is fully extending to the bleed size, and all the important layout elements are completely within the Live Image Area.
PDF (press ready) Ad Submission Guidelines: Click Here
“-L” = 7pt Matte Cardstock
“+I” = With Imprinting
OCB44-L+I: Is a Bleed** product with barcode imprinting, background images and art elements can extend to the Bleed size. Keep all layout elements that you don’t want to be trimmed or cropped, inside of the Live Image Area.
** IMPORTANT Note about Bleed Products: Valpak’s templates are intentionally built without bleed settings applied. If using a Valpak template and your product calls for a bleed, do not enter any bleed settings. Instead, simply build your layout according to the bleed margins designated on the template.
Click HERE to download the 1-Panel InDesign templates (Horizontal and Vertical Layouts).
Examples of properly built OCB44-L+I with barcode imprinting:
The Imprinting Area is the available space for the Imprint Window. It must not be closer than .25″ from the Trim Area, and no more than 4″ from the Trim Area.
The Imprint Window is where the barcode will be printed, and can be on the left or right side of the layout anywhere inside of the Imprinting Area.
**IMPORTANT IMPRINTING NOTE: The Imprint Window must be clear of all backgrounds, images, artwork or text.
For more information on Imprinting, please contact your Valpak representative.
Horizontal Layout visual showing an incorrectly built OCB44-L+I product. Notice that the business logo is outside the Live Image Area. This will result in the business logo being trimmed.
Horizontal Layout visual showing a correctly built OCB44-L+I product. The background is fully extending to the bleed size, and all the important layout elements are completely within the Live Image Area, and the Imprint Window is clear of all backgrounds, images, artwork or text.
PDF (press ready) Ad Submission Guidelines: Click Here
2 Panel Flyer
“-W” = 54# matte paper
“+I” = With Imprinting
2-Panel Oversized Flyer: Is a Non-Bleed product, build the layout using the Live Image Area size. Keep all layout elements that you don’t want to be trimmed or cropped, inside of the Live Image Area. This product can also be designed for imprinting.
IMPORTANT NOTE TO DESIGNERS: Valpak requires designating a 3 inch x .6 inch area of white space for the imprinting code. Click the link below for more details of the imprinting area.
CLICK HERE FOR IMPRINTING AREA DETAILS
We have InDesign Templates available!
Click HERE to download the 2-Panel InDesign templates (Horizontal Layouts).
Examples of properly built Oversized 2-Panel Flyer products:
IMPORTANT:
The Oversized 2-Panel Flyer does not need to be designed in an imprinting format as seen above. The material type simply represents that the product is printed on oversized card stock paper. How the coupon layout is designed is entirely up to the advertiser.
The Imprinting Area is the available space for the Imprint Window. It must not be closer than .25″ from the Trim Area, and no more than 4″ from the Trim Area.
The Imprint Window is where the code will be printed, and it can be on the left or right side of the layout anywhere inside of the Imprinting Area.
**IMPORTANT IMPRINTING NOTE: The Imprint Window must be clear of all backgrounds, images, artwork or text.
For more information on imprinting, please contact your Valpak representative.
Horizontal Layout visual showing an incorrectly built Oversized 2-Panel Flyer product. Notice that the “Call Now” button is outside the Live Image Area. This will result in the button being trimmed when this is printed.
Horizontal Layout visual showing a correctly built Oversized 2-Panel Flyer product. All of the layout elements are completely contained within the Live Image Area, and the Imprint Window is clear of all backgrounds, images, artwork or text.
PDF (press ready) Ad Submission Guidelines: Click Here
Although it’s a bit old, I find this to be one of the better videos that describes how to use “Content Aware Scale” in conjunction with a saved selection to protect an area from being affected in the process.
This feature is useful for landscape images, especially those where the horizon line is not level.
IMPORTANT – Install all the scripts listed below in the proper location on your Mac.
Click Here to learn more about saving, installing, and using scripts with InDesign.
Click Here to learn more about creating a Keyboard Shortcut in InDesign.
This script provides functionality that is significantly lacking in InDesign’s default corner effects command. This script allows you to apply a corner effect to one, two, or all corners of an InDesign frame.
NOTE: If you are using InDesign CS5 and later you should take a look at the “Live Corners” video: Click Here
Click Here to learn more about saving, installing, and using scripts with InDesign.
Click Here to learn more about creating a Keyboard Shortcut in InDesign.
If you are a fan of Adobe Illustrator then you may be wondering why InDesign doesn’t contain “add anchor points?” This script does exactly what you would expect, it adds anchor points directly between any two anchor points within a selected frame, oval, or polygon.
Click Here to learn more about saving, installing, and using scripts with InDesign.
Click Here to learn more about creating a Keyboard Shortcut in InDesign.
Make Grid provides a very fast way to divide a frame into numerous equal sections. It even allows you to provide some gutter width between the resulting rectangles.
Click Here to learn more about saving, installing, and using scripts with InDesign.
Click Here to learn more about creating a Keyboard Shortcut in InDesign.
If you are a fan of using guides, then you will absolutely love this script.
Click Here to learn more about saving, installing, and using scripts with InDesign.
Click Here to learn more about creating a Keyboard Shortcut in InDesign.
These scripts automatically typeset each of our five standard Valpak offer disclaimers. These 5 scripts may not be very useful if you do not find yourself typing one of the 5 disclaimers very often.
Creating a Keyboard Shortcut in InDesign
The steps listed below explain the process to create a Keyboard shortcut for a random script that was placed in the Scripts directory.
1. Start by selecting the Keyboard Shortcuts option in the Edit menu pull-down in InDesign.
2. Then click on the “New Set” button:
3. Enter a name for your custom Keyboard Shortcut set:
8. When finished assigning the Shortcut keys, Click on the “Save” button, and then click “OK” to finish the process.
The new Keyboard Shortcuts are now available for use in any InDesign document.
• InDesign Libraries Application Script
• ExportPDFs.app – & – ExportPDFs-InApp.scpt
• InDesign End Of Ad – Issue Detector with Export PDF Script
• Assigning Keyboard Shortcuts
• Thin white lines appearing on my PDF, why?
Click Here to learn more about saving, installing, and using scripts with InDesign.
Click Here to learn more about creating a Keyboard Shortcut in InDesign.
Click Here or click the image below to download a zip file that contains the droplet application, “ExportPDFs.app” and the standalone script, “ExportPDFs-InApp.scpt”
Click Here or click the icon above to download the ExportPDFsUserGuide.pdf.
Click Here to open the user guide in your web browser.
IMPORTANT:
The user guide explains the many quality checks and export features built into “ExportPDFs.app” and the standalone script called “ExportPDFs-InApp.scpt“.
Helpful Links:
Click Here for instructions on how to install an InDesign script.
Click Here to learn more about creating a Keyboard Shortcut in InDesign.
Click Here or click the icon above to download the zip file that contains the EndOfAdIssueDetector-WithExportPDF.scpt
Click Here for instructions on how to install an InDesign script.
Click Here to learn more about creating a Keyboard Shortcut in InDesign.
This is a very helpful script that will check for common issues in the InDesign document. If these issues exist, the script will display a dialog warning and give the user the option to fix the issue.
The End of Ad – Issue Detector script will automatically convert all RGB and SPOT color swatches to Process CMYK.
Learn more about the issues of using Spot Colors in 4-Color printing – Click Here
Other issues are not fixed automatically. Instead, the End of Ad – Issue Detector Script will provide a pop-up “Warning Prompt” for the user to fix the issue.
After each issue is fixed, the End of Ad – Issue Detector Script should be run again to locate any other issues that may exist.
Listed below are the pop-up “Warnings & Prompts” that may occur when performing the End of Ad – Issue Detector script. Click on a link to be taken to that section for more details:
This warning message occurs when the script locates one or more modified or missing linked images.
This issue can be fixed by selecting the modified/missing links in the Links panel, updating modified links and/or relinking missing links.
In the example below, “Show Frame Edges” is turned on to reveal tiny icons in the document that coincide with the “missing” and “modified” link warnings displayed in the “Links” panel.
Careful! After resolving the link issues, be sure to review your ad to make sure the placed images did not shift position after being updated.
This warning message occurs when the script has located a text frame that is overset.
This issue can be fixed by enlarging the text frame, reducing the size of the text in the text frame, or removing text from the text frame. In this example, the overset text frame was enlarged slightly to reveal the overset text.
This warning message occurs when the script detects one of more low resolution images.
The ad above contains two low resolution images.
IMPORTANT: It is not recommended you click the “Stop And Fix” button for the first time you execute the End-Of-Ad script. Let it continue to check for other problematic images as well.
First low resolution image detected. Press the button, “OK, leave as-is”…
Second low resolution image detected…
Valpak guidelines require that all image, artwork and text colors must be CMYK. This warning message occurs when the script has located any RGB images used in the document.
To fix this issue, RGB images should be converted to CMYK in Photoshop, and then re-linked in the InDesign document.
These warning message occur when the script has located objects set with a 100% BLACK fill, or filled with “REGISTRATION” color, or if both instances exist on your layout.
Below are two examples of what black overprinting can do to an object on an ad.
IMPORTANT: The script does NOT check for 100% black text, because setting small text to 100% BLACK is preferred. The script is only checking for other objects as seen in the example below.
This message is intended to be a reminder for the user to check black object(s) and determine if the black object stacking order overlaps with other objects. If it does, this may create overprint issues, and the color should be changed to 99% black or a rich black to ensure that the object will knock-out. The End of Ad – Issue Detector Script will fix this for you if you click on the “Yes – Let Script Fix Blacks” button in the warning pop-up window.
In this example, the rounded-corner rectangle shape was using a 100% black fill color and there were objects behind the object that would have presented an overprint issue if the black is left at 100%. When the “Yes – Let Script Fix Blacks” button in the pop-up warning window was selected, the End of Ad – Issue Detector Script fixes this by converting the 100% black to 99% black to ensure that the black object will knock-out when printed.
The result of pressing “Yes – Let Script Fix Blacks” –
Notice that the script automatically set the fill color to 99% BLACK, which will force a knockout and print correctly.
This warning message occurs when the script has located objects on the pasteboard.
This issue is easily fixed by examining the pasteboard for any unused objects, text boxes or images that exist and then removing them. In this example, there is an unused image on the pasteboard. Removing the image fixes the issue.
If you bypassed some issues such as RGB images, and left any “Blacks” issues go unfixed, then you will be presented with a “Finished” dialog that will disappear after 2 seconds.
At this point you must go back and fix all of the issues within your layout.
If the script makes it all the way through with no issues, or the only issue was related to “100% BLACK” or “REGISTRATION” fill colors that you let the script fix, then you will presented with a dialog that will allow you to export a PDF of your document.
If you press the “Yes” button you will be presented with this main dialog screen.
You have a choice of creating a secured Proof PDF, a PDF appropriate for use in the Blue Envelope, or both at once. You also have the choice to create separate folders for each document exported and to automatically open your PDF(s) for inspection after being created. The first time you use the tool it will be set to default settings. If you choose different settings, your choices will be remembered the next time you use the tool.
If you choose to create a Proof PDF or both types at once — in this example we chose “Both” — you will be presented with a second dialog screen in which you may set a password to secure your Proof PDFs against editing by outside parties, and also what DPI to use for images embedded in the Proof PDF.
As with the main settings, the tool will remember the password and DPI setting you choose the next time you use this script.
WARNING! …
The DPI setting you choose will affect the size and appearance of your Proof PDF. A lower DPI will create a smaller file. A higher DPI will improve the appearance of images on screen and on paper, should you choose to print it for review.
Once you have chosen your settings, the tool will begin processing your document.
Be patient! It will take a little while for the tool to generate the PDF.
On rare Occasions, you might have already exported a PDF using the script and you have it open in Acrobat. If you were to execute the “EndOfAdIssueDetector-WithExportPDF.scpt” once again for the same ad you will receive this warning explaining that the PDF is open.
If all went well, you will receive notice that your PDFs are ready.
If you chose “Open PDFs after creating” on the main screen, the PDFs will now open in your preferred application for opening PDFs.
Your PDFs are located in a folder on your Desktop named “PDF-Exports.”
If you chose “Save PDFs in separate folders” on the main screen, both Proof and Blue Envelope PDFs for your document are in a folder with the same name as the document.
WARNING! …
If a Proof or Blue Envelope PDF for your document already exists in this location, it will be replaced if you export PDFs for the same document again.
Note: If you have questions about any of these scripts, feel free to contact me directly:
email: jeff_reumann@valpak.com
phone: 727-399-3000 ext 3713
NOTE, you must install all the scripts listed below in the proper location on your Mac.
Click Here to learn more about saving, installing, and using scripts with InDesign.
Click Here to learn more about creating a Keyboard Shortcut in InDesign.
This script provides functionality that is significantly lacking in InDesign’s default corner effects command. This script allows you to apply a corner effect to one, two, or all corners of an InDesign frame.
NOTE: If you are using InDesign CS5 and later you should take a look at the “Live Corners” video: Click Here
Click Here to learn more about saving, installing, and using scripts with InDesign.
Click Here to learn more about creating a Keyboard Shortcut in InDesign.
If you are a fan of Adobe Illustrator then you may be wondering why InDesign doesn’t contain “add anchor points?” This script does exactly what you would expect, it adds anchor points directly between any two anchor points within a selected frame, oval, or polygon.
Click Here to learn more about saving, installing, and using scripts with InDesign.
Click Here to learn more about creating a Keyboard Shortcut in InDesign.
Make Grid provides a very fast way to divide a frame into numerous equal sections. It even allows you to provide some gutter width between the resulting rectangles.
Click Here to learn more about saving, installing, and using scripts with InDesign.
Click Here to learn more about creating a Keyboard Shortcut in InDesign.
If you are a fan of using guides, then you will absolutely love this script.
Click Here to learn more about saving, installing, and using scripts with InDesign.
Click Here to learn more about creating a Keyboard Shortcut in InDesign.
These scripts automatically typeset each of our five standard Valpak offer disclaimers. These 5 scripts may not be very useful if you do not find yourself typing one of the 5 disclaimers very often.
The steps listed below explain the process to create a Keyboard shortcut for the End of Ad – Issue Detector script.
1. Start by selecting the Keyboard Shortcuts option in the Edit menu pull-down in InDesign.
2. Then click on the “New Set” button:
3. Enter a name for your custom Keyboard Shortcut set:
8. When finished assigning the Shortcut keys, Click on the “Save” button, and then click “OK” to finish the process.
The new Keyboard Shortcuts are now available for use in any InDesign document.
Latest update 08/18/16
Click Here or click on the icon above to download a zip file that contains the InDesign_Object_Libraries.app
InDesign object libraries help you organize graphics, text, and other items you use often. For example, rather than creating a unique offer box from scratch, you can open the offer box library panel and drag the pre-built offer box directly onto your active document.
This is an application bundle script. I recommend you place the InDesign_Object_Libraries.app in your “Applications” folder and then drag an alias into your Dock. This way whenever you want to open up all the Valpak library items into nicely organized tabs, all you have to do is double-click the Dock item.
“Miscellaneous” – Why is it empty?
Obviously you can create new libraries files and save them anywhere on your Mac. However, double-clicking this application script will only open the .indl files that exist within the contents of this application. For this reason, we have included a “Miscellaneous” document that will allow you to place new items that you don’t wish to include within any of the other existing categories. Watch the video below:
[jwplayer mediaid=”19417″]
Note: These library items are specific to InDesign. They are not the same as “CC Libraries”. However, they can be used in conjunction with “CC Libraries”. To learn more Click Here.
• Illustrator Graphic Styles, Brushes, Pattern Swatches: CLICK HERE
• Photoshop Brushes: CLICK HERE
Want some of those grayscale TIFF textures for colorizing in InDesign? Download them here:
Textures.zip
This powerful new feature will serve as a good starting point to help silhouette an image from its background
More detail about this feature can be found here.
If you are ambitious and wish to learn some things you “definitely” have never seen before done in Photoshop then watch this “VERY” advanced video:
Whether or not you will ever use this on a coupon image, it’s fun to play with nonetheless
It’s definitely not the easiest tool to use in Illustrator, but it can be useful on occasion.
And for a much deeper dive into this powerful tool…
A Spot Color that interacts with the transparency flattening process will not output correctly in CMYK printing.
Example: You create a logo that contains two spot colors (in this case, I’ve used PMS Blue 072 and PMS Red 032). The logo has a drop shadow behind it, and you’ve correctly set Illustrator’s or InDesign’s Drop Shadow feature to use the Blue 072 spot color. In Illustrator or InDesign the logo appears correct (see below).
Then you save the art as a PDF/X-1a file because that’s what you have always been told to do in order to make sure that it will print correctly.
This is the file your receive from the printer (see below).
If you want to know more about why this happens, please watch this video (see below).
[jwplayer mediaid=”19481″]
“-C” = 9pt UnCoated Cardstock Paper
“+I” = Imprinting
CP44-C+I: Is a Non-Bleed product with imprinting, build the layout using the Live Image Area size. Keep all layout elements that you don’t want to be trimmed or cropped, inside of the Live Image Area. This product can also be designed for Imprinting.
IMPORTANT NOTE TO DESIGNERS: Valpak requires designating a 3 inch x .6 inch area of white space for the imprinting code. Click the link below for more details of the imprinting area.
CLICK HERE FOR IMPRINTING AREA DETAILS
We have InDesign Templates available!
Click HERE to download the InDesign templates (Horizontal and Vertical Layouts).
Examples of properly built CP44-C+I with imprinting:
The Imprinting Area is the available space for the Imprint Window. It must not be closer than .25″ from the Trim Area, and no more than 4″ from the Trim Area.
The Imprint Window is where the code will be printed, and can be on the left or right side of the layout anywhere inside of the Imprinting Area.
**IMPORTANT IMPRINTING NOTE: The Imprint Window must be clear of all backgrounds, images, artwork or text.
For more information on Imprinting, please contact your Valpak representative.
Horizontal Layout visual showing an incorrectly built CP44-C+I product. Notice that the “Free Admission” circle, and part of the background images are outside the Live Image Area. This could result in the circle text being trimmed when this is printed.
Horizontal Layout visual showing a correctly built CP44-C+I product. All of the layout elements are completely contained within the Live Image Area, and the Imprint Window is clear of all backgrounds, images, artwork or text.
PDF (press ready) Ad Submission Guidelines: Click Here
This video explains the “Shadows/Highlights” function, which might be one of my favorite and most often used Photoshop features.
In theory, “Shadow/Highlights” should be used on about 80% of the images we receive from our franchises.
This is a rather lengthy video. But it is very useful and touches upon a few important tools within Photoshop, such as “Hue/Saturation”, “Color Range”, “Color Balance” and of course using adjustment layers as layer masks to hide/reveal objects beneath, which I hope you already do?
On-Pak: Is a Bleed** product, background images and art elements can extend into the Bleed area of the template. Keep all layout elements that you don’t want to be trimmed or cropped, inside of the Live Image Area of the template.
** IMPORTANT Note about Bleed Products: Valpak’s templates are intentionally built without bleed settings applied. If using a Valpak template and your product calls for a bleed, do not enter any bleed settings. Instead, simply build your layout according to the bleed margins designated on the template.
Click HERE to download the InDesign templates.
Example of a properly built On-Pak product: Remember – NO VERTICAL designs. On-Pak layouts must be designed as landscape/horizontal format.
Layout visual showing where the Bleed Area and Live Image Area are located.
The background images and art elements can extend into the Bleed Area of the template. Keep all other text, logo, and layout elements inside of the Live Image Area of the template.
Visual showing an incorrectly built On-Pak product. Notice the copy and internet web address extending into the Bleed Area at the bottom of the layout. This does not meet Valpak guidelines for On-Pak products.
Visual showing a correctly built On-Pak product. Only the background is extending into the Bleed Area, and all the important layout elements are completely within the Live Image Area.
For the PDF (press ready) Ad Submission Guidelines: Click Here
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
(8, 12, or 16 Pages)
G-CIR-FP44: Is a Non-Bleed product, build the layout using the Live Image Area size. All layout elements must remain inside of the Live Image Area.
Click HERE to download the InDesign templates.
Examples of properly built G-CIR-FP44 products:
Horizontal Layout visual showing the Trim, Live Area, and indicating where the Fold and Gutters are located.
Vertical Layout visual showing an incorrectly built G-CIR-FP44 product. Notice that the background image and business logo is outside the Live Image Area. This will result in these elements being trimmed when this is printed.
Vertical Layout visual showing a correctly built G-CIR-FP44 product. All of the layout elements are completely contained within the Live Image Area.
PDF (press ready) Ad Submission Guidelines: Click Here
“-L” = 7pt Matte Cardstock
“+I” = With Imprinting
OCB44-L+I: Is a Bleed** product with imprinting, background images and art elements can extend to the Bleed size. Keep all layout elements that you don’t want to be trimmed or cropped, inside of the Live Image Area.
** IMPORTANT Note about Bleed Products: Valpak’s templates are intentionally built without bleed settings applied. If using a Valpak template and your product calls for a bleed, do not enter any bleed settings. Instead, simply build your layout according to the bleed margins designated on the template.
IMPORTANT NOTE TO DESIGNERS: Valpak requires designating a 3 inch x .6 inch area of white space for the imprinting code. Click the link below for more details of the imprinting area.
CLICK HERE FOR IMPRINTING AREA DETAILS
We have InDesign Templates available!
Click HERE to download the 1-Panel InDesign templates (Horizontal and Vertical Layouts).
Examples of properly built OCB44-L+I with imprinting:
The Imprinting Area is the available space for the Imprint Window. It must not be closer than .25″ from the Trim Area, and no more than 4″ from the Trim Area.
The Imprint Window is where the code will be printed, and can be on the left or right side of the layout anywhere inside of the Imprinting Area.
**IMPORTANT IMPRINTING NOTE: The Imprint Window must be clear of all backgrounds, images, artwork or text.
For more information on Imprinting, please contact your Valpak representative.
Horizontal Layout visual showing an incorrectly built OCB44-L+I product. Notice that some text, and the business logo are outside the Live Image Area, and the bleed elements do not fully extend to the bleed size. This will result in the text and business logo elements being trimmed, and there will be a white border where the bleed should be.
Horizontal Layout visual showing a correctly built OCB44-L+I product. The background is fully extending to the bleed size, and all the important layout elements are completely within the Live Image Area, and the Imprint Window is clear of all backgrounds, images, artwork or text.
PDF (press ready) Ad Submission Guidelines: Click Here