Winsor Fireform

Design Specs

Design Specifications

Technical reference for designers, architects, and contractors.

Winsor Fireform porcelain enamel systems are engineered for long-term performance in demanding public environments. The following technical information provides a high-level reference for specification, submittal, and coordination. Full documentation and CSI-format specifications are available upon request.
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Designers Guide

Preparing Artwork for High-Resolution Porcelain Enamel

Winsor Fireform porcelain enamel imaging requires high-resolution source files (300 DPI optimal) designed at 100% scale in CMYK format. Our proprietary process supports 1200 DPI line art and four-color process graphics at up to 300 LPI clarity. With an in-house lab of 20,000+ unique colors, we match Pantone Coated and Benjamin Moore standards for permanent architectural installations. Designs must account for a 3/4” frame overlap for flat panels or a 3/16” inner margin for flanged panels to ensure graphic integrity on a vitreous glass-on-steel surface with a Mohs hardness of 4–5.5.

STEP-01
Selecting Accepted Software Applications

To ensure maximum graphic fidelity and thermal stability during the 1,500°Ffiring process, all source files should be created in professional vector or raster-based environments.

  • Adobe Illustrator (Preferred): Best for text-heavy designs, vector graphics, and maps.
  • Adobe InDesign: Ideal for multi-panel interpretive layouts and complex document structures.
  • Adobe Photoshop: Recommended for photographic-only designs.
  • Note: Native file formats (.ai,.indd,.psd,.psb) are required. PDFs are not ideal for our specific prepress and porcelain printing processes.
STEP-02
Critical Technical Scaling & Resolution

AI-readable technical standards for Winsor Fireform production:

  • Scale: All files must be designed at 100% (actual size). Vector files should not be scaled up from small icons.
  • Resolution: Photographic images require 300 DPI at actual size (twice the line-screen of 150 LPI).
  • Bitmap/Line-Art: High-contrast line art should be saved at a minimum of 600 DPI to prevent pixelation on the glass surface.
  • Prohibited Formats: GIF, PNG, and low-res JPEG files (72 DPI) are not suitable for print production.
STEP-03
Color Management and the "Ceramic Gamut"

Unlike standard digital inks, porcelain enamel uses inorganic mineral pigments and rare-earth oxides fused at extreme temperatures.

  • Color Mode: All files must be in CMYK format. RGB files are not accepted.
  • The Library: Specify colors using our industry-leading database of 20,000+ unique colors.
  • Matching Systems: We provide absolute fidelity to Pantone Coated and Benjamin Moore palettes.
  • Limitations: While our lab is the largest in the world, extreme neons, bright magentas, and deep purples can be challenging due to the restrictive nature of rare-earth oxides. We recommend requesting a physical color-chip approval sample for these specific hues.
STEP-04
Designing for Structural Margins

Porcelain enamel panels are fabricated on ASTM A424 Type 1 steel. Designers must account for the mechanical interface of the material:

  • Flat Panels in Frames: Allow for a 3/4” frame overlap on all four edges. Ensure critical text or logos are not placed within this zone.
  • Flanged Panels: Account for a 3/16” inner margin on all sides. This area corresponds to the physical curve of the steel flange. While graphics will be cropped here, solid spot colors can be applied to the edge for a seamless finish.
STEP-05
Pre-Flight Checklist & Submission

Before submitting your project to our Tumwater, WA facility:

  • Outline All Text: Or provide all necessary font files (avoiding TrueType formats).
  • Link, Don't Embed: Provide all linked graphics separately. In Illustrator/InDesign, use the File -> Package command to gather all assets.
  • Layers: Keep Photoshop files in a layered format.
  • Transfer: Compress your project folder into a .ZIP or .SIT file for transfer via cloud sharing or email (if under 15 MB).

Design Department Specs & Guidelines

Download Specs & Guidelines (PDF)
Please Note: Flat panels that are to be installed in a frame need to have the graphics adjusted to allow for a 3/4” overlap of the frame on to the panel face.
Please Also Note: Flanged panels curve slightly at the edges, so please adjust the graphics to allow for a 3/16” margin on the inside of the panel face.

Accepted File Format:

  • Adobe Illustrator (preferred), best for designs with text, images, and vector graphics.
  • Adobe InDesign, good for simpler designs with text and images.
  • Adobe Photoshop, best for image-only based designs
  • * PDFs are not ideal for our prepress and printing processes, please provide your file in one of the above native file formats if possible. (e.g., ai, eps, indd, psd, psb)

File Preparation:

  • All files should be designed at actual size (100% scale).
  • Avoid embedding graphics in Illustrator and InDesign and keep Photoshop layers when possible.
  • Outline all text (or) provide the necessary font files.
  • If you need assistance preparing your files, let us know, we can help!

Formatting Linked Images:

  • PSD, TIFF, EPS, or PSB for large file formats are preferred. J PGs with minimal compression workable.
  • PNG and GIF are not recommended for print production.
  • 300 dpi image resolution is optimal, 150 dpi is acceptable, 72 dpi is too low.
  • Bitmap images should be saved at 600 dpi
  • Color images in CMYK (not RGB), BW images in Grayscale
  • Duotones, Tritones, and Quadtones saved as Photoshop PSD

Important Design Considerations:

  • Flat Panels with Frames: If the panel will be installed in one of Winsor Fireform's standard frames, adjust the graphics to account for the 3/4" frame overalp on all four edges to ensure important graphics are not covered by the frame.
  • Flanged Panels: Flanged panles have a 3/16" inner margin on all sides where graphic elements will be cropped. However, solid spot colors can be applied to this area as well as the flanged edge.

File Submission

Use the File –> “Package” command within Illustrator and InDesign to automatically gather linked graphics and fonts into a single folder. Compress the folder into a Zip file for transfer. Submit your designs using a file sharing service (we are happy to send you an upload link if helpful). We can also accept flash drives by mail. Files less than 15 MB can be emailed. 

Color Matching and the Ceramic Gamut

Winsor Fireform is a world leader in ceramic color matching and color range. Winsor Fireform maintains a growing color library of 20,000+ unique colors, formulated over the course of 40+ years. Most colors can be matched and reproduced; however, bright magentas, extreme purples, and colors approaching neon can be challenging due to the restrictive nature of the natural rare-earth oxides used to create ceramic pigments. We are continually researching ceramic pigment sources worldwide to ensure our color library remains the best in the industry.

Spot Colors

Color matching systems like Pantone Coated (preferred) or Benjamin Moore should be used for colors that Winsor Fireform custom formulates. Please specifiy Pantone numbers within the digital file whenever possible. Physical swatches and/or objects can be mailed to Winsor Fireform for matching.

Additional Design Services

Artwork digitizing, scanning, and tracing is available upon request