# EMBER — Production Guide

How the digital templates become physical objects. Take the PDF (browser →
Print → Save as PDF, margins *none*, background graphics *ON*) plus this spec
to any print shop — or send both to an online printer.

## Color for print

| Token | Hex | Print note |
|---|---|---|
| BG / Raise | #F4EFE6 / #FBF8F1 | Let the paper stock *be* this color where possible (see below) |
| Ink | #1C1814 | Rich black (C60 M50 Y50 K100) or 1-color black for screen print |
| Ember | #C9451B | Closest Pantone: **173 C**. Spot color when the run justifies it |
| Edge faint | #D9D0BD | 40–50% tint of a warm black |

CMYK conversion will dull warm neutrals slightly; for long runs or anything
brand-critical, print ember as a spot (Pantone 173 C) and keep blacks rich.

## Paper stocks (the grain is real here)

EMBER's warmth relies on uncoated, warm-white stock:

- **Cards / covers:** 300–350gsm uncoated, warm white (cotton or recycled
  with visible fiber). Kraft (brown) is an approved alternative for covers —
  it deepens the "pre-modern warmth" without costume.
- **Poster:** 200–250gsm uncoated warm white. Matte only — gloss kills EMBER.
- **Notebook interior:** 100gsm cream or warm white, dot-grid printed in
  50% warm black.
- **Never:** glossy, laminated, or bright-blue-white stock.

## Artifacts

### Business card (`physical/business-card.html`)
- Trim 85 × 55 mm, bleed 3 mm (the file is already 91 × 61 mm — print at
  100%, no "fit to page").
- Front: 4/0 (full color) digital, or 2-color letterpress (ink + ember) on
  cotton 600gsm for the deluxe run.
- Back: solid ink slab — digital handles it; letterpress: full-coverage
  over-ink, expect slight texture.
- Optional: ember edge-painting on the 2mm thickness.

### Notebook (`physical/notebook-cover-a5.html` + `notebook-interior-a5.html`)
- A5 (148 × 210 mm), 48 pages interior + cover.
- Cover: 300gsm kraft or warm white. Ember chip can run as 1-color screen
  print or hot foil (matte, not metallic) — the one ember, physically.
- Interior: 100gsm, printed both sides: dot grid, ruled, and project
  template pages alternating as you like.
- Binding: saddle-stitch up to ~64 pages; case binding (cloth spine, ember
  headbands) for the keepsake edition.
- Ruling ink: 50% warm black, never pure black.

### Sticker sheet (`physical/sticker-sheet.html`)
- A6 sheet, die-cut shapes (dashed guides mark the cut line in the file).
- Vinyl, matte laminate — or paper stickers for indoors/short life.
- The ink square-with-ember-shadow mark cuts as one piece (keep the 3mm
  offset in the die line).

### Poster (`poster/poster-a3.html`)
- A3 (297 × 420 mm), borderless-capable printer or trim to the frame.
- 250gsm uncoated; ember block as spot color for editions.
- Larger editions: the file scales losslessly to A2/A1 by reprinting with
  `@page` and sheet dimensions doubled — keep type sizes in mm so they grow
  with the sheet.

## Tolerances & checks before ordering

1. Export PDF at **100% scale** — verify a card measures exactly 91 × 61 mm
   on screen.
2. Nothing critical inside 3mm of trim (safe margins are built into the
   templates).
3. Count the ember on every face: exactly one.
4. Ask the printer for a proof on your actual stock — warm neutrals shift
   the most between monitors and paper.