PULL TAB
Artwork specs.
Template Guidelines
Every template will display green, cyan, red, and magenta guidelines. These lines represent specific areas of the card. Please keep in mind that guidelines do not print on the finished version of the card.
Bleed
- A reference to an extra ⅛” (.125”) of image or background color that extends beyond the trim area of your printing piece. The project is printed on an oversized sheet that is then cut down to size with the appearance that the image is “bleeding” off the edge of the paper.
Cut Line
- The finished card size.
Safe Zone
- The area to keep all important type, logos, and images within. Usually .25” smaller than the card size and .125” away from the pull tab.
Pull Tab
- The designated perforated area to pull that reveals what is underneath. (Some pull tabs may have a hinge and stay partially connected to the card when pulled.
Please note in above example:
1 & 2: Important text and assets should be kept within the safe zones (red lines). Keep in mind the card itself and each pull tab has its own Safe Zone.
3: Proper artwork Bleed ensures a clean cut line.
Design Tips
Pull tab dies are to cut and perforate exactly as displayed. Please do not move or modify the template. Doing so may result in a possible die fee, possible modifications, and additional production time.
Due to the slight shift during cutting, there will be a variance, and we cannot guarantee the border will be perfectly even on some cards. We caution our clients to avoid borders around the card.
Vector is better! If you have the option for Vector, use it. Vector graphics will guarantee the best print quality. If you do not use Vector graphics, please use high-resolution images (300 ppi minimum).
If QR or bar codes are part of your design, please test and verify that all QR or bar codes scan consistently at the exact size and link correctly. We suggest all QR codes are a minimum of .5” to optimize for most devices.Under the Tab(s)
- When designing “prizes”, please keep in mind that everything must fit into an area that is .125” smaller than the pull tab itself. The prize prints onto the white paper of the card, unless noted otherwise.
- For singular pull tab cards, Prizes can either be submitted through our prize creator if you need black text or saved in a separate file for Prizes.
- For multiple pull tab cards, please note how the game will be played. Games such as, Match 3 to win, Find a specific icon to win, Match 2 to win, etc.
- Icons can be supplied to us via zip file. We will resize to fit on our end.
- We can randomize the icons to different winning and non-winning combinations on our end.
- The minimum number of icons needed is 5. Please note which icons are winning icons.
Security Control Number
- The “000000” located on the back of the card is a placeholder for the sequential Security Control Number.
- The Security Control Number is a unique number printed on each card. That number will indicate which prize is under the scratch area. You will be emailed a spreadsheet upon shipping that will explain to you which prize corresponds with which control number.
- This number can range between 5-9 digits depending on the quantity of cards ordered.
- This cannot be removed unless the project has a static prize with no other variable data, is being shipped to a single location, and does not require special packaging.
Using Adobe Illustrator?
Getting Started:
Open the .AI template in Adobe Illustrator and locate your Layers panel.
Time to Design:
Open the layers panel. Within the layers panel, you will find five layers. The main two layers that you will be using are “Place FRONT Art Here” and “Place BACK Art Here”. Select the “Place FRONT Art Here” layer and start adding text, photos, icons and other necessary elements to your design and please be sure to follow template guidelines Safe Zone, cut line, Bleed, etc. If quoted for a two-sided card, select the “Place BACK Art Here” layer and add your elements to the back of the card.
Exporting & Submitting Artwork:
Save your file as an .AI (Adobe Illustrator) file. There is no need to export to JPG, PNG, PDF, or any other file type. You are now ready to send your file over to graphics@scratchoff.com.
Using Canva?
Getting Started:
Upload the .PDF template to Canva.com and select it to open.
Time to Design:
Add text, photos, icons and other necessary elements to your design and be sure to follow all template guidelines such as Safe Zone(s), cut line and Bleed when designing.
Please note Canva does not have an option to keep a specific layer on top. After you finish adding all of your elements, move the template position to the top layer to make sure artwork fits the template guidelines.
Exporting & Submitting Artwork:
Click the share button at the top right corner, then download. Under the “File type” dropdown menu, select PDF-Standard, be sure “Flatten PDF” is unchecked, and download. You are now ready to send your file over to graphics@scratchoff.com.
Custom Templates
If creating your own custom pull tab template, please follow these instructions:
- Each pull tab needs to be the minimum size of .5”x.5”.
- Each pull tab needs to be at least .375” inches away from the cut line.
- Each pull tab needs to be at least .25” away from each other.
- To indicate your pull-tabs, please use a dotted magenta line for the perforated area and a solid magenta line for the hinged area. If you are using a background color that resembles magenta, the lines may be changed to a different color that is more visible.
If you’d like us to create a custom pull tab template for you, please contact your account representative or project coordinator.
Get Started
Access your card size from our Downloadable Templates page to get started. All templates will have 1″ circle and 1″x1″ square scratch area options in silver and gold colors. If your card size is not listed or you have a specialty scratch area, please request a custom template below.