Artwork guide: 3D


File Type: Photoshop RGB layered file. Do not flatten layer styles such as drop shadows as they need to be accessed individually. The more image elements that can be accessed as individual elements the better the effect.

File Resolution: 300 ppi or higher @ final print size.

Bleed: 3 mm

Document Size: Width needs to be approximately 1.2 x trim because of the ability to see beyond the left and right margins once the print is trimmed. For example, if trim width = 150 mm wide, make the document width ~180 mm wide plus 3 mm bleed each side.

Type and Font Guidelines: Avoid small and italic type styles as the lens renders them illegible, jagged edged or both.

Design Hints:

3D lenticular allows one to see around foreground elements by moving one's head to the left and right, thus exposing elements behind the foreground element. If you cut out an object from a more distant layer and move it forward, then you need to fill in the hole left behind.

The background is going to be increasingly thrown out of focus by the lenticular optics the further it is set back from the print plane. It is therefore important to avoid techniques common in 2D design which employ depth of field to invoke depth sensation by softening receding planes. The background layer should be a sharp image -as should all elements in the design. If it is non descript, then it is important to feature some sort of texture, pattern or noise as our brains require reference points to compare depth within the scene. A plain white or coloured background lacks these depth clues and should be avoided.

Similarly, the further objects protrude from the print plane the softer they become. Therefore since we are accustomed to sharp text and sharp eyes, it is important to position these elements close to the print plane.

Try to make use of perspective (i.e converging lines for more distant elements) and remember that overlapping elements provide excellent depth cues.

Psychologically, warm colours appear to stand out whereas cool colours tend to recede, therefore where possible, use warm colours for nearer subjects.

Importantly, elements that are to project forward of the print surface should be positioned with sufficient clearance from the side trims.

Hard Copy:
Always provide a colour correct hard copy print of each of your files.

File Delivery:
FTP, CD, or DVD.

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BART KELSEY