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CUSTOMERS' ARTWORK
We can accept customers' artwork as vector graphic files, preferably Abobe Illustrator(*.ai) or Macromedia Freehand version 8 or earlier.
There should be no bitmapped images in the artwork.
All text should be converted to graphic objects.
Do not stroke the objects (ie they should have no outline width).
Each colour should be separated onto its own layer.
Do not add trap or otherwise overlap colours.
We use spot colours for our transfers and so cannot use colour gradients.
All objects in the artwork should be filled with the transfer colour.
If you require a particular Pantone colour, you must state this and you will be charged for the mix, otherwise we will use our nearest stock colour.
For white artwork, we suggest adding a background layer of another colour for ease of viewing.
As a rough guide to minimum sizes, a stand-alone line thickness of 0.2mm and a letter height of 0.7mm will usually reproduce in our transfers.
Stand-alone lines should, wherever possible, run parallel to the longest side of the transfer.
Allow a scissors gutter of 2mm around all objects which are to be applied as one.
We use a standard sheet size for single colour transfers of 110mm x 110mm or multiples of that size.
We can treat as single coloured transfers, ones comprising two unregistered colours, provided that there is a 12mm gutter between the two colours which runs parallel to the longest side of the sheet.
We can make single colour transfers up to about 400mm x 280mm; large transfer sheets will incur additional packing costs if they cannot be split for delivery.
Our standard sheet size for multicoloured transfers is 110mm x 90mm, with a maximum sheet size of about 400mm x 260mm.
We regularly make transfers with six colours in register; more colours are possible.
All finished, multicoloured artwork requires editing by us to provide for the registration of the negatives needed for the different colours.
We can accept CAD files in *.dxf format, although these will require editing by us.
Theoretically we can use CAD polylines without alteration, but we have never managed to do this yet.
We cannot guarantee that your artwork will produce a good transfer and we will prepare transfers from your finished artwork only on the condition that you carry the risk of such failure.
We suggest that you always send a hard copy proof of your artwork to us for information.

If you can't supply the artwork as a vector graphic, send us a Microsoft Word file of your text.
Make sure that you also post a hard copy proof because fonts which allegedly have the same name may display differently.
Please bear in mind that printers' typefaces, particularly modern computer fonts, are different in style from signwriters' typefaces previously used for lettering railway and other vehicles.
We have drawn a large number of typefaces suitable for this type of work and we can substitute these if you wish.
We are starting to publish lists and samples of our fonts on our web site.

We can scan and then trace bitmap (such as JPEG, GIF or Photoshop files) or hard copy artwork supplied by you.
You should present each different object in the transfer at a size of between A5 and A4.
We will re-compile the artwork from the individual tracings.
The colours used for these objects don't matter, provided that there is as much tonal contrast as possible between different colours in the object.
Again, send a hard copy proof of the complete artwork, to avoid misunderstandings.

We have compiled these guidance notes from the use of our own and customer-supplied artwork.
The notes may not cover all eventualities and we will amend and add to them in the light of further experience.

Unless otherwise stated in writing by Blackham Transfers, the copyright for original artwork as presented to Blackham Transfers by a customer remains with the customer or with the original copyright holder; for artwork made by Blackham Transfers as a result of amending or altering the customer's original artwork, the copyright becomes vested in Blackham Transfers. Blackham Transfers will accept artwork for reproduction only on the condition that the customer has the legal right to copy the artwork and that the customer indemnifies Blackham Transfers against any action by a third party over the use of the artwork.