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HomePrinting guide › Minimum line weights
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Minimum line weights

A line that is too thin can break up or disappear entirely on press. Stick to a minimum weight, especially for knocked-out (reversed) rules.

The thresholds

Allow at least:

  • 0.25 pt for a positive rule (dark line on a light background).
  • 0.5 pt for a knocked-out or reversed rule (light line on a dark background, or multicoloured).

Avoid “hairline” rules

“Hairline” weights defined without a real value can print unpredictably — sometimes almost invisibly. Always give your lines an explicit numeric weight.

Check before you send

  • Positive rules ≥ 0.25 pt
  • Knocked-out rules ≥ 0.5 pt
  • No undefined “hairline” weights
Frequently asked questions
Why did my thin border disappear?
It was probably below the threshold, or set as a hairline. Give it a weight of at least 0.25 pt (0.5 pt if it is light on a dark background).

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