Considerations for graphic design in trophies

0 – Color encoding and recommended formats

Send designs in CMYK to ensure faithful color reproduction.

Avoid JPEG. Use uncompressed PDF, with all elements on a single layer and ungrouped, without cut or safety lines. PDFs with layers often generate masks and nested groups when opened in Illustrator, which can alter gradients and transparencies.

Flat and clean files ensure compatibility and maintain design integrity.

For laser engraving work, files must be in Black RGB and all elements vectorized or converted to curves.

1 – Edge precision

Leave at least 5 mm between fine lines or high contrast and the metal edge. Small variations in handling can cause slight misalignments. Use thicker strokes, less contrast, or a safety zone near the edge.

2 – Dark backgrounds and print texture

Avoid uniform dark backgrounds whenever possible. UV printing on metal with water-based varnish offers better results with light tones or gradients. Very dense colors can generate slight texture variations due to ink load.

3 – Metallic colors

UV printing does not support metallic inks. To simulate gold, silver, or chrome finishes, use gradients and highlights that provide a sense of depth and reflection.

4 – Fluorescent colors

True fluorescent tones cannot be reproduced. Use vibrant CMYK equivalents or small gradient highlights to achieve a similar visual effect with stable and precise color.

5 – Color variation in laser engraving

Laser engraving produces a surface reaction (oxidation or burning), not printing. Therefore, tones may vary depending on material and batch. Always send vector files in Black RGB with all elements converted to curves for a precise result.

6 – UV printing on wood

We work with FSC-certified beech wood and polished surface. Due to its texture and absorption, very fine or photographic details may lose sharpness. It is recommended to use clean graphics and clear typography.

7 – Stone awards

Color in stone trophies is limited to one or two tones, normally applied to wide engraved areas with little detail, always after laser engraving through a manual painting process.

Keep in mind that this process is not UV, mechanical, or digital printing, but artisanal paintwork that may generate slight irregularities on the surface or in color. Files must be vectorial; bitmap formats like PNG are not suitable.

8 – Limits and edges

Respect template margins to avoid ink jumps during packaging or handling. Full bleed is possible, but increases the risk of wear on edges, especially with dark or saturated tones. Opt for light colors or soft gradients in areas near the edge.

9 – Transparencies and overprints

Avoid transparencies or blend modes like Multiply or Overlay, as UV inks react differently depending on the material. Flatten transparencies and check color uniformity before exporting the final file.

10 – Typography and text

Convert all fonts to outlines to avoid substitutions or spacing errors. Do not use sizes smaller than 6 pt, especially on irregular surfaces. For engraving or embossing, use Bold or Semi-Bold weights to ensure legibility after the process.

11 – Printing on methacrylate (acrylic)

Printing on methacrylate requires preparing files with a specific structure of three pages or artboards per trophy:

File structure:

  • Page 1: Trophy outline or silhouette
  • Page 2: Front print (front side)
  • Page 3: Back print in normal reading orientation, not mirrored

Roland reinforcement white:

To achieve opacity in prints on transparent acrylic, it is necessary to install and use the Roland VersaWorks Technical Inks library in Adobe Illustrator. The special color "RDG_WHITE" acts as an opaque base under the CMYK inks.

White application:

  • Create two Roland white layers with the exact same outline as the CMYK print
  • Position both layers underneath the color print
  • Maintain perfect alignment to avoid halos or visible misalignments

When to use reinforcement white:

  • When an opaque and dense finish is needed on transparent acrylic
  • For colored backgrounds that should appear solid and without transparency
  • For visible white texts or graphics, apply the Roland white color directly

When to omit white:

If the design requires taking advantage of the material's transparency, simply don't add the white layers. The resulting effect will allow seeing through the acrylic.

Technical requirements:

  • Artboards of the exact print size
  • Do not modify scale, position or silhouette of base templates
  • Files in CMYK with texts and logos vectorized
  • Check transparencies, resolution and alignment before exporting
  • Printing can go to the edge of the material

This process allows precise control over opacity, color and final finish of the methacrylate trophy.