There are numerous ways a template could be used while setting up artwork for printing. In the case of using Photoshop as the program of choice to set up the artwork, it is first important to understand the difference between the two main types of imagery: raster-based imagery and vector-based imagery. Raster-based imagery means that the image is made up of individual color pixels- thousands or millions of tiny colored blocks. Vector-based imagery means that the image is made up of numerous digital points and line segments, to which colors can be set to the line or stroke color (edges of a shape) as well as the fill color (middle area of a shape that is enclosed by line segments and points). There are benefits and drawbacks to both types of imagery. 

In the case of Photoshop, while there are some limited vector image capabilities, the program is primarily designed for working with raster-based imagery. When you open or import and image into Photoshop, if the image is not already raster-based, it will be converted into a raster-based image when it is brought into Photoshop. In this example, the product template will be rasterized while importing into Photoshop. If the artwork is not already rasterized before importing into Photoshop, it will be rasterized also while importing into Photoshop as well.


Here is one simple way to work with JPP product templates in Photoshop:


Use of product template as a guide for sizing and positioning artwork

  1. Open the product template file in Photoshop (Click File > Open, or simply drag and drop the file into the Photoshop window.) Make sure the layers palette is open. 
  2. If the template is only being used as a guide for placing artwork and the artwork will not go to the edges of the printable area, the artwork can simply be imported into Photoshop at this point. The artwork will be automatically placed into its own layer. Simply size/position the artwork within the template lines. Select the layer containing the template in the layers palette, then use the eraser tool to erase the inner orange line of the template to prevent it from being sublimated onto the final product. Leave the middle blue line of the template visible, as this represents the physical edges of the product blank. 
  3. At this point, the artwork can be printed. Once printed, cut out the product shape on the inner side of the blue line to get the correct size and shape of the product blank. 
    1. Make sure the blue line is cut off completely to prevent small parts of the blue line from sublimating onto the edges of the product blank.




Use of product template to encase artwork for precise edge-to-edge printing on the final product blank


If the template is used to ensure the artwork will run to the edges of the product blank, use the lines of the product blank to select the area to place the artwork in before printing:

  1. Open the product template file in Photoshop (Click File > Open, or simply drag and drop the file into the Photoshop window.) Make sure the layers palette is open. 
     
  2. In the Layers palette, make a duplicate of the template layer. It is beneficial to preserve the original template image in case it is needed again later. 
  3. Import or drag-and-drop the artwork file into Photoshop. The artwork will import into its own layer. 
  4. Turn the visibility off for the original template layer and the artwork layer (eye icon is turned off). Leave the visibility turned on for the template layer copy (eye icon is turned on). 
  5. Use a selection tool, such as the Magic Wand tool to select the desired area within the template lines. 
  6. Next, turn the artwork layer visibility back on and merge the artwork layer into the visible template layer (select "merge down" in the layer menu). 
  7. Next, inverse the selected area by clicking "Select" > "Inverse" at the top Photoshop navigation bar.
  8. Use the eraser tool to erase all parts of the graphic and template info surrounding the selected template area. The inversed selection will protect the areas of the artwork within the template lines so that it can be printed once everything else surrounding the template area is erased.
  9. The selection marquee lines can now be removed. Remove the marquee lines by clicking "Select" > "Deselect" at the top Photoshop navigation bar.
  10. The artwork is now ready to print.