Karten layout instructions and FAQ

  • Choose your layout program below for explanations per program
  • Templates and the link to the upload portal will be provided after an order has been placed
  • Layout can also be outsourced to us
  • The agreed delivery time starts when the complete order has been uploaded to the portal
  • If you encounter any issues, email us (optionally with your file) at webshop@kartent.com
How does the Kartent portal work? (click to expand)
  1. Here you can switch between products
  2. Here you can download the template for each part of the product
  3. Here you can upload your print for this part
  4. This is a part without print, you don't need to do anything with this
  5. Here you can upload all (max 10) PDFs or pages at once
  6. If necessary, assign your print to the part
  7. Choose the quantity you want of this print
  8. Don't forget to click submit for EACH product here
Overview portal with numbers

When you're done, your screen should look like this:

Submitted portal screen
Print Instructions
1. IMPORTANT: Prepare Template for Illustrator
  • Open the template you downloaded from the portal after ordering in Illustrator.
  • Double-sided? Open both pages; do not change the page order.
  • Lock all layers and work in the bottom layer (this can also be a new one). Sometimes we have already prepared the PRINT layer for you to work in.

Can I download your spot colors/swatches?
You don't actually need them, but if you want them, you can download our swatches for Illustrator here: Kartent Swatches AI

Layers in order
2. My file is too large, what now?

We accept files up to 200Mb per PDF. If your file is too large, it is almost always due to images or gradients. You can do a few things:

  • Rasterize these areas and/or images to 120 ppi/dpi:
    • If necessary, embed the items
    • Select the (or all) images (no lines or layers from the template!)
    • Go to Object > Rasterize > Select Other > 120 ppi
  • Reduce the size of the original linked file
  • Save without Illustrator editing capabilities:
    • Go to File > Save As > PDF
    • Under options, deselect "Preserve Illustrator Editing Capabilities"
3. I have non-CMYK items in my file (RGB or Pantone)

This is not a problem, but the colors may turn out slightly different when your product is printed. There are a few items that cannot be in CMYK:

  • When saving to PDF:
    • Make sure you do not have RGB selected under Save As > PDF > Output.
  • The document itself:
    • Go to File > Document Color Mode > CMYK
  • Embedded items:
    • Embed these items and proceed with the steps below.
  • Images:
    • Select the (or all) images (no lines or layers from the template!)
    • Go to Object > Rasterize > Color Model to CMYK
  • Added lines or fills:
    • Select the (or all) lines or fills
    • Go to Edit > Edit Colors > Convert to CMYK
  • Spot colors of lines or fills:
    • This should never be the case, let us know if our template has this.
    • Select the (or all) lines or fills
    • Go to Edit > Edit Colors > Convert to CMYK
4. I don't have 5mm bleed

Ensure 5 mm bleed around cut lines to avoid white edges. If you don't have this, our software will try to add it automatically. For as many products as possible, we have tried to add a BLEED line of 5 mm in the templates.

5. The cut lines are not above the artwork

It is possible that your print is above the cut lines (or parts of your print are in the template layer). Swap these around.

  • Download the empty template.
  • Try uploading it to the portal without editing.
  • Do you get an error? Please contact us.
  • No error? Paste your artwork into the new template and rasterize your artwork (not the cut lines).
6. I still have printer's marks in the file

These are crosses or other shapes outside your print. Make sure they are turned off:

  • When saving, choose File > Save As > PDF > Marks and Bleeds.
  • Here, uncheck all boxes under Marks.
Layers in order
7. My file is lower than 120 dpi

Images in your file are of low quality. This is difficult to fix without the original files.

  • Do you have them? Try reloading them.
  • If necessary, reduce the physical size of the image.
  • Note: AI images and WhatsApp photos are often of low quality.
8. Convert text to outlines

If a font disappears or changes, it's often because it hasn't been converted to outlines yet.

  • Note: After this operation, the text can no longer be edited. Make sure to keep a backup of your document.
  • Select all text in your document and go to Type > Create Outlines (Shortcut: Shift + Ctrl/Cmd + O).
9. Embed linked files (images)

This is not mandatory but very useful. If there is something wrong with the file, we can often fix it.

  • Go to Window > Links in the menu.
  • Select all items in the Links panel, open the dropdown menu in the top right of the panel, and choose Embed Link (sometimes you need to do this multiple times for different items).
Layers in order
10. The best CMYK black & Save as PDF
  • Best Black: Use C 50% M 40% Y 40% and K 100 for the best (deepest) black print result.
  • PDF Format: Always upload the file as a PDF to the portal. To do this, go to File > Save As > PDF.
11. Lines are not set to overprint
  • This can only happen if the template is incorrect or has been edited. You can set the lines to overprint in attributes.
Note: We do not offer active support for InDesign. Please use the instructions below as a guide to correctly supply your file.
1. Before you start (InDesign Templates)
  • Open the PDF template directly in InDesign, or place it in a new document at the exact size (including 5mm bleed).
  • Make sure to place the cut lines on a separate, top layer via Window > Layers (F7) and lock this layer.
  • Always place your own design in the layers below the cut lines, so they are not covered.
2. Set bleed in InDesign

Without bleed, white edges may appear after cutting.

  • Go to File > Document Setup (Alt + Ctrl/Cmd + P).
  • Expand the Bleed and Slug menu.
  • Enter 5 mm for all bleed settings and save.
  • Extend your background colors and images to the red line outside your document.
3. Linked files & Text outlines

If a logo or font is missing when uploading, you need to embed or convert it.

  • Embed images: Go to Window > Links (Left). Select all images, click the menu in the top right, and choose Embed Link.
  • Text outlines: Select your text frame(s) and go to Type > Create Outlines (Shift + Ctrl/Cmd + O). The text is now a vector shape.
4. Correctly export file as PDF (flatten PDF)
  • Go to File > Export (Ctrl/Cmd + E) and choose Adobe PDF (Print).
  • General: At the top, under Adobe PDF Preset, choose High Quality Print or PDF/X-1a:2001 (this automatically flattens transparencies).
  • Compression: Set the resolution (Downsampling) to 120 ppi to keep your file under 200MB.
  • Marks and Bleeds: Check "Use Document Bleed Settings", but ensure all trim marks/marks are OFF (no checkmarks next to Marks).
  • Output: For Color Conversion: Choose Convert to Destination (Preserve Numbers) and select your CMYK profile.
Note: We do not offer active support for Affinity Publisher or Designer. Please use these instructions as a helpful guide.
1. Templates and Bleed
  • Open the template file in Affinity. Make sure to choose to preserve layers when opening the PDF.
  • Lock the template/cut lines layer in your Layers panel. Work exclusively in a new layer below it.
  • Check your bleed: Go to File > Document Setup and choose the Bleed tab. Enter 5mm for all margins.
  • Extend backgrounds to the bleed line.
2. Convert text to curves

Prevent the font from shifting or changing when you upload it to our portal.

  • Select all your text or text frames in the Layers panel.
  • Go to Layer > Convert to Curves in the menu (Shortcut: Cmd/Ctrl + Return). This permanently converts text into vector shapes.
3. Color profile & Export to PDF
  • Check CMYK: Go to File > Document Setup, Colour tab. Set Colour Format to CMYK (8 bit).
  • Export: Choose File > Export and select PDF format. Choose "PDF (for print)" as the Preset.
  • In the export settings, ensure that Include bleed is checked.
  • Make sure that Include printers marks is unchecked. We do not need our own trim marks, only the design.
  • File too large? In the export window, click More... and check Downsample images. Set this to 120 DPI.
After designing and downloading in Canva, always turn ON the "Canva Mode" toggle in our upload portal!
1. IMPORTANT: Importing, designing and exporting templates
  • Download the template from the portal to your PC.
  • In Canva, click Create > Upload and choose our PDF template.
  • Press Ctrl + A (or Cmd + A on Mac) to select everything, then press Ctrl + G (or Cmd + G on Mac). This groups the cutting lines.
  • Create your design. DO NOT ADJUST THE CANVAS SIZE!
  • Remove the group with the cutting lines once your design is finished.
  • Done? Click Share > Download in the top right, and choose PDF - Print as the file type.
  • Check the option Flatten PDF. For the color profile, preferably choose CMYK (RGB also works) and click Download.
  • In our portal, when uploading, indicate that you used Canva via the toggle switch.
2. Texts changed or elements shifted? (Flatten PDF)

If fonts change after uploading or certain elements are missing, you probably forgot to 'flatten' the PDF during export. In Canva, this is the alternative to converting text to outlines or embedding images.

  • In the top right of Canva, go to Share > Download.
  • Choose PDF - Print as the file type.
  • Check the option Flatten PDF. This neatly combines and fixes all texts, images, and layers.
  • Click Download and upload this new, flattened file to our portal.
Please note: We do not offer active support for Adobe Express. Furthermore, Express is limited in exporting professional cutting lines. Use the PDF templates as a visual overlay and remove them before export.
1. Working with templates in Express
  • Create a document with the exact size in millimeters (choose 'Custom size').
  • Upload the template PDF via 'Media' and place it in the background as a guide for where the cutting lines are located.
  • Manually ensure an extra 5mm margin on each side. Because Express does not have an official "Bleed" function, you need to make your image slightly larger than the final frame, or ensure your design exactly follows the dimensions of the PDF template.
  • Always remove the PDF template layer before exporting, so that our cutting lines are not accidentally printed!
2. Color differences (RGB vs. CMYK)

Adobe Express is originally built for digital media. This means your document is by default structured in RGB colors instead of CMYK (print colors).

  • You cannot simply convert this in Express. However, our upload portal will automatically attempt to convert it to CMYK.
  • Please note that bright neon colors or very bright blue/green may appear slightly duller in print.
3. Exporting for print (PDF)
  • Click Download in the top right of your project.
  • Choose PDF - Ideal for high-quality documents as the file type.
  • If Express gives you the option, always check the settings for the highest print quality.
  • Always check the downloaded PDF file on your own computer before uploading it to our system. Are all fonts correct? Then you can upload it!