(NEW) Troubleshooting your Self-Launch

Our Self-Launch system is a great way for artists to sell more of their work, but there are currently some technical limitations that can cause a project to get an error and get "stuck" in our system. This will block it from launching to your Artist Store. Please review this article carefully to avoid the following common pitfalls. 

Please feel free to reach out to us at [e-mail] or post in the #help-file-prep channel of our Minted Artist Community Slack if you're still seeing an issue after reading through this list. 

Self-launch tips at a glance

• When in doubt, simplify. The simpler the file, the lower the chance of your work getting stuck at launch. Duplicate your working file, rasterize all artwork and non-customizable elements into a high-resolution image, and embed. 
• Make sure that nothing is left off of the artboard. This includes empty text boxes, color swatches, or unused artwork. For the best outcome, run a clean-up by choosing Object > Path > Clean Up, and constrain all artwork to the artboard using a clipping mask. 
• Place all artwork and text in the correct layers, and make sure the layers are the same across all colorways. 
• Double-check that your fonts are on the Minted Comprehensive Font List.
• Unlock all layers before uploading. Even the static background elements and guide layers should remain unlocked.

Table of Contents 

• Artwork Issues
  
  • Multiple Vector Points
  • Layered Transparencies & Groups
  • Pattern Swatches
  • Objects Left Off of the Artboard
• Text Issues
  
  • All text should be Minted Fonts
  • Each textbox should contain only one font
  • Textbox is not “Live”
  • Invisible Characters
• Layer Issues
  
  • Inconsistent Layer Positions
  • Missing Path with Fill Color
  • Locked Layers
  • Foil Layers
    

Artwork Issues

Multiple Vector Points

• Problem: This pattern backer may look simple, but when looking closer, there are too many vector points for our internal system to process. Each dot is its own path, and the sheer number of dots on the backer makes this become a complex design. 
• Solution: Either export the backer as a high-resolution image at 300 PPI to re-embed in the file, or make the dots one compound path.

Layered Transparencies & Groups

• Problem: This artwork includes multiple linked images that have additional transparencies to mimic a drop shadow. Additionally, there are multiple groups within more groups with various paths & shapes.  
• Solution: Rasterize the entire artwork as a high resolution image at 300 PPI. The text can be left unrasterized.

Pattern Swatches

• Problem: The leaves on this backer are a pattern swatch. Our system cannot process pattern swatches, so this will always cause the backer to get stuck at launch. 

• Solution: Rasterize the entire artwork as a high-resolution image at 300 PPI. 

Objects Left Off of the Artboard

• Problem: It’s sometimes helpful for artists to leave objects off of the artboard while building out their files. Our system does not recognize objects off of the artboard, which may cause them to get stuck. 
• Solution: Delete these objects before uploading your final files, and either export your artwork as a flattened image or use a clipping mask to constrain the artwork to the artboard. 

Text Issues

All text should be Minted Fonts

• Problem: Both Challenge-winning and self-launch projects should only be using fonts that are currently available on our Minted Comprehensive Font List.
• Solution: Double-check that the font you're using appears on our Font List. It's possible that we may have a different version of a font you are using, which is why it may appear as a non-Minted font when you upload your files.
  • In this example, the design is using MrsEavesOT Italic and we have a different version of the same font—Mrs Eaves Italic. Scroll through the dropdown box and select the font that matches what is used in your design.

Each textbox should contain only one font

• Problem: This textbox contains multiple fonts. In this example, even though they're in the same family, our system still requires that each font has its own textbox. 
• Solution: Before submitting your files, make sure that each textbox contains only one font. If needed, split larger passages of text into multiple boxes. 

Textbox is not “Live”

• Problem: The anchor point on the textbox is white. This indicates that the attributes of the text are not locked and unified. The customizer does not recognize this type of textbox, and will cause the text to be uneditable in the customizer. The file will upload but the text will not be editable for the customer.
• Solution: Simply double-click on the anchor point. This will make the textbox “live” and functional in the customizer.

Invisible Characters

• Problem: Sometimes a textbox in the file has an invisible character that uses a different font. In this example, the textbox should be all Segatha, but there is an invisible character in another font. The customizer does not recognize multiple font styles in one textbox.
• Solution: Simply remove the invisible characters. You can double-check for invisible characters with different fonts by using the “Find Font” feature in the “Type” menu.
  

Layer Issues

Inconsistent Layer Positions

• Problem: The text is set up differently on these two colorways. Even if the text was on the correct layer, it must be placed in the same layer on all colorways. Not doing so causes the text to appear jumbled in the customizer.
• Solution: Double check that the text is all in the "text" layer, and that the layers are set up in identical order across all colorways.

Missing Path with Fill Color

• Problem: The background layer is missing a path the size of the artboard with a color-fill, even if that color is white. 
• Solution: This background patch will be automatically included in the template, so be careful not to accidentally delete it before uploading. 

Locked Layers

• Problem: If a file contains layers which are locked, it will cause the file to error in our system. The uploader does not recognize locked layers and considers the file “invalid” if this attribute is present. 
• Solution: Double check that all layers are unlocked before uploading your files. Remember, even the guides layer doesn't need to be locked!

Foil Layers

• Problem: This file contains a foil layer. We don't currently allow foil on self launch projects, so a “FOIL” layer on will always cause an error, even if the layer is empty.
• Solution: The self launch templates should not include a foil layer. However, if you're creating with leftover templates from one of our Challenges, always check and remove it before uploading.