guidelines for designers

submitting your work

All package designs MUST be created using UMG approved templates.

Templates are available at www.umg-design.com in both Quark and InDesign formats. Register with a valid email and choose a secure password. If you are not able to locate a proper UMG template; then you need to contact the label to get a approved template.

When using the templates, observe all type-free areas, bleeds and trims. Do not remove, change settings, or otherwise alter the templates. Users must deliver files ‘saved as’ a current version file format to a Pre-press color separator.

software requirements

Mac Format Only. Win-PC Documents will not be accepted. Quark Xpress 7 and 8 and/or InDesign CS3 and CS4 are accepted for page layout. No CS5 files.

DO NOT use Pagemaker, Photoshop or Illustrator for page layout.
Illustrator 10 and above for generic EPS files with text unoutlined. Use Stuffit 10 or above to compress files when necessary. SITX is preferred. When stuffing file use faster as opposed to better setting.

fonts and logos

Label, retail and symbol fonts and logos are available digitally for your use on the UMG-Design site. To ensure you are using UMG's most current versions, always download your logos from the UMG-Design site. All other logos can be obtained from your label rep or UMGDb2b.com.

Provide only the fonts used. E.g., if Helvetica Light is used, provide only that font. DO NOT send every Helvetica font you have. This opens the possibility that an incorrect version of the same font will be used in place of the correct font. DO NOT apply text attributes in Quark or InDesign, e.g., italics, bold, underline. Use the appropriate font(s). Use a Job collect whenever possible per layout.

scanning and placed images

We prefer for our separators to do high resolution scanning. Please contact your label representative to arrange this. Always flatten and save your raster files as a generic file format before submitting your work (Use Photoshop TIFF or EPS files for live placed images). Images cannnot be embedded in a layout application. They must be de-linked to the actual image as a seperate file within the image folder. Files must be saved as a CMYK or Grayscale image. RGB images will NOT be accepted.

NOTE: RGB images are meant for web use. This color space does not have enough of a color range to accommodate offset printing.

DO NOT use JPEG compression when saving images. JPEG compression obscures details and reduces the quality of an image in order to save file size.

DO NOT use layered files in your final packaging (Photoshop PSD files or layered TIFF files or Illustrator AI). These files are extremely large and contain unused information. Layered files also opens the possibility of a pre-press or print operator outputting unused images by mistake; potentially effecting your final package design. Approved file types for placement in Quark/InDesign layouts: generic EPS, TIF. Unapproved file types for placement in Quark/InDesign layouts (most common examples): PSD, AI, PICT, JPEG, GIF, PNG

initial printouts

Please provide one set of color printouts, actual size, with all art and type in place and/or PDFs. Also include any reflective art or transparencies that need high-resolution scanning.

If you provide hi-res scans, you must include a 10x10, 300 dpi, CMYK scan of the cover image, in Photoshop TIFF or EPS format. This image is also used for marketing, advertising, point-or-purchase displays, snipes, posters, etc. In short, a high resolution version is needed to satisfy merchandising and collateral needs.

copy changes

Changes to copy may only be authorized by your label representative. DO NOT make copy changes based on requests from other parties (e.g., label employees, artists,managers) without approval from your label representative.

page attributes

UMG templates are pre-filled with FBI anti-piracy information; others are pre-filled with logo placements and/or copy that is specific to a type of product (e.g., DVD Audio, BluRay Disc, HD/DVD): and the rest are blank. Please refer to the information that accompanies these pre-filled templates.

DO NOT alter the templates, pre-filled images and text in any other way than instructed.
NOTE: The RIP in the Pre-Press facility and/or print facility will NOT recognize text attributes assigned in Quark or InDesign. If you want to bold or Italicized text, you must make sure the font family used has a bold or italicized version included.

Wherever possible, always place raw copy in the layout program. If Word is used, DO NOT use the Fast Save option. DO NOT link text from page to page in your final layout. The Pre-Press operator has to create printer spreads from your existing layout (which is in reader spreads). Linking text from page to page makes it very difficult to convert to printer spreads, and also opens the possibility that your text will re-flow improperly when separated.

DO NOT edit colors designated as target colors in UMG templates.
DO NOT leave artwork or type boxes on pasteboard.

Avoid embedding graphics and fonts in Illustrator files. These fonts can easily be missed since they are NOT flagged by the layout application when outputting the job. If the font/text used is a design element, it should be outlined before saving as an EPS file. If the font/text used is content, the type should be set in the type layout program used (Quark or InDesign).

quality checklist

Before you submit your work, please check against this list:

• Booklets are organized in reader’s spreads.
• Jobs use the most current versions of the UMG templates and fonts.
• All logos, legal notices, credits, and selection #'s are placed and correct.
• Please refer to the barcode specification document
• Layouts must conatin editable text. Outlined text is not accepted.

If your label representative is asking you to place the barcode on their behalf. You have filled in your name in the space provided on the Quark/InDesign template.

filenaming instructions

DO NOT use symbols or blank spaces in any file name. File names should be less than 32 characters.

Name your Quark/InDesign files with Artist's Name + format + UPC + extention (.qxd or .indd)

Examples:
NR_cd_008811185824.qxd
NR_dvd_008811185848.indd

Rename revised files logically, e.g., NR_coverREV.tif.
Include the 3 or 4 letter file suffix (.tif, .eps, etc.) on ALL files.

delivering digital files

digital transmission
WAM!NET eFolio and/or Internet Gateway is the preferred method of collaborating with labels. We do not accept outside links or FTP. Contact your local label representative for an account. Email is acceptable for lowres PDFs and other digital files under 3 MB.

physical media
CD-R, DVD-R, or Hard Drive.

If you have any questions please contact:
Jennifer.Forest@umusic.com | (818) 286-6830
Rab.Bakari@umusic.com | (212) 333-8009