These Vivid UV (Scodix) guidelines pertain to setting up files in Adobe InDesign. To learn how to set up Variable Data Vivid UV (Scodix) files click here.
MATERIALS
Scodix provides a list of materials recommended for use with the Polysense 100 (please refer to the “Scodix Polymer” column, PS100 only). Sheets need to be coated stock such as matte, dull, C1S, C2S, etc. For the few uncoated sheets available for Vivid UV, please refer to the Scodix recommended list of materials. For expected Scodix SENSE quality, surface tension should be within the range of 36-44 dyne/cm.
Substrate Weight Range
135-675 gsm / 6-30 pts
SIZE
The artboard/document size needs to be the exact size as the actual press sheet. This is important for OPA dot placement. Please note the min/max sizes below.
Press Sheet
Max 20.8” x 29.5”
Min 11” x 11.4”
Image
Max 20.7” x 29.3”
OPA DOTS
The OPA dots need to be 4 mm (.1575 inches) in diameter with a 10 mm (.2756 inches) white dot centered behind the 4 mm dot. On the UV layer the 4 mm (.1575 inches) OPA dots need to be a spot color of 100% magenta (labeled Scodix) and on the CMYK layer the OPA dots need to be 100% black. Please make sure there are no other 4 mm dots within your artwork besides the OPA dots.
The OPA dots must fall outside of UV area on the press sheet. The OPA dots should be 12 mm or .5 in from the long edge and at least 12 mm or .5 in from the short edge of press sheet.
The OPA dots can be brought in from the short edges of the sheet as long as the UV area is within the dots and the dots remain 12 mm (.5 in) away from long edge of the sheet. The OPA dots must remain at least 20 cm or 7.8 inches apart (from center to center of dots) in order for the cameras on the Scodix machine to read the OPA dots.
NOTE: If printing on a full size sheet and then cutting down to smaller size for UV, please include all four OPA dots on each trimmed down sheet, 12 mm (.5 in) away from cut edge.
We have created 3 files (.ai, .eps, and .pdf) with a sample OPA dot. There are two layers in these files. The CMYK layer has the OPA dot in 100% black and the UV layer has the OPA dot in 100% magenta (labeled Scodix). Click the button below, to download the OPA dot sample files, open your preferred format, copy and paste the OPA dot to the four corners of the imposed file only moving in the OPA dots on the longe edge with a minimum of 8 inches inbetween the OPA dots. See the next two examples below.
Steps to Creating a Scodix File
1
Your cmyk artwork will go on one layer labeled “CMYK”. Create another layer and label that “UV”.
2
Create a custom spot color that is 100% magenta and name it exactly “Scodix” (case sensitive).
3
Make sure all elements that are to be UV are using the “Scodix” spot color. Create outlines for any fonts. Make sure the masked areas are on the “UV” layer and use the custom spot color “Scodix”.
4
Impose your files and add OPA* dots to the corners on the UV and CMYK layer (see press sheet size, image size, and OPA dot specifications on pages 3-4).
NOTE: Use 100% black for the OPA dots on the CMYK layer and the 100% magenta custom spot color “Scodix” for the OPA dots on the UV layer.
*The Optical Print Alignment (OPA) feature enables the Scodix press to optically align the Scodix Clear Polymer image on each page of the preprinted CMYK substrate as it is printed.
5
Save each layer as a PDF, naming the UV layer “filename_UV.pdf” and the CMYK layer “filename_CMYK.pdf”. Double check that all elements are colored as “Scodix” spot color on the UV layer before saving PDF.
Clear Space: Keep UV away from creases/folds, cut areas, and edges. We recommend approx. 1/32” (.03125) to 1/16” (.0625) of clear space to prevent cracking/chipping.
Create a white outside stroke around UV elements, such as text and different densities. A .5 pt stroke is recommended around larger elements and a .25 pt stroke is recommended around smaller elements. This will help define the elements better, break up densities, and prevent the UV from bleeding into another element.
Density of the Vivid UV looks best from 1% to 30% and 70% to 100%. Between 30% and 70% will create small specs within the UV.
Looking for further instructions? View this blog post by Scodix.
To learn how to set up Variable Data Vivid UV (Scodix) files click here.