CounterPoint® | Custom Counter Mats

General Art Specs

CounterPoint® utilizes state-of-the-art digital Direct-to-Plate and Direct-to-Press technology in its printing process. To avoid additional charges and potential delays, art must be output-ready digital files and should conform to the art specifications listed below and on our Art Check List (or the PDF version).

Art Specifications: Art must be output-ready digital files and should conform to the art specifications found in our Art Check List. Changes made after production begins will incur additional charges.

Color Target: Send samples of printing or items to match for color when your order is placed. We can't match your target if we can’t see it!

Art Services: Any time art must be created or modified, art services will be billed at $162.50 per hour.

FREE PDF "PAPER" Proof: When the FREE PDF "Paper" Proof is sent for "reference ONLY", it means production will begin without waiting for PDF proof approval. This PDF is not an accurate color proof – use for design reference only.

Production Proof: $300.00. Production proofs are recommended whenever color matching is critical and may be required on larger orders.

Registration: Please allow ±1/16" registration variance of the print to the product perimeter.

Email & FTP: Submit files smaller than 3Mb via email to your Product Specialist. Submit files up to 80Mb on our upload page. Remember to also send a printed sample of what you expect the art to look like. See our Art Check List for details on art submission.

Borders: When art includes a border or other art element that runs parallel to the counter mat’s edges, the naked eye can distinguish slight variations in print positioning. For this reason, we do not recommend the use of a border because the nature of manufacturing limits registration capabilities to ±1/16".

Offset Lithography: All images submitted for hard surface counter mats are printed as submitted. Image resolution should be set at 300ppi. Remember that effective image resolution is decreased when an image is enlarged in a layout program; so, images should be 300ppi at 100% size in the final document. While standard offset reproduces color and detail very well, the product surface can sometimes alter the color and appearance of the printed image. When color is critical, we always recommend a surface proof or a production proof. Fonts and type elements smaller than 8 point may not be readable. Orders of 500 pieces or less are printed using UV Ink Jet.

Dye Sublimation: Sublimation is a specialized process that prints special heat activated inks on an advanced "transfer" paper. Heat and pressure are applied to the transfer, causing the ink to turn into a gas dye, which then sublimates into the fabric. Once the image is transferred, it is permanent and washable. This heat activated ink transfer process produces a 100% to 400% dot gain, which impacts all reversed or "knocked out" art. When reversed elements are too small, the dot gain may fill in the reversed area or eliminate it completely. For this reason, we recommend all reversed type be set to bold. Serif fonts such as Times should be set at 18 point or greater and sans serif fonts like Helvetica should be set at 12 point or greater. All reversed lines should be 1.5 points or greater. Image resolution should be 300ppi.

The sublimation process is designed to produce a "pleasing" representation – not an exact match – of the original. During the sublimation printing process, a color target is used as a reference only. Color variation from a color target is normal and expected. When color is critical, we recommend a production proof.

All counter mats are initially cut to ordered size. However, since the fabric counter mats have a natural rubber base and the sublimation process uses high heat and pressure, the dimensions of the final product may vary from ordered size. This shrinkage and/or growth is a normal and expected effect of the sublimation process.

Color Conversion: Colors should be defined as CMYK (4-Color Process). Converting spot or RGB colors to CMYK will change the appearance of the color, sometimes dramatically.

Copyrights & Confidentiality: Customers warrant that all images supplied for reproduction, whether digital, conventional or otherwise, are unencumbered by copyright and other usage rights connected to the image(s) and agree to hold harmless and indemnify CounterPoint® for all claims and expenses for any actions in law that may result from the use of these images. In regards to confidentiality, given the nature of our production processes and our waste streams we cannot guarantee there won't be a breach with 100% assurance. As a result, we have decided not to accept projects where a breach in confidentiality will have material or significant impact on anyone associated with the project.

Separations, Files, Plates, & Dies: All separations, digital files, plates, and dies created by CounterPoint® remain factory property. Our storage policy is to keep these materials on file for 24 months. After 24 months, reorders are treated as new jobs and require new art and set-ups. Original art is returned on request.