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Artwork Help & Specifications

Growing your business isn’t easy, and fueling your brand with premium marketing materials is a massive part of that success.

Not sure if your files are ready for the press? We’ve got you covered.

Send us whatever files you have. Our team will review them and let you know if they are press-ready. If your artwork needs a little love, we will work closely with you to get it perfect before we print.

💡 New to designing for print?

If you haven't created artwork for print before, please reach out to us as early as possible in your design process. With years of industry experience, we will guide you through the setup, saving you time, money, and hassle.

⚡ Quick-Start: The Perfect Press-Ready File

To ensure the highest quality print and the fastest turnaround, aim to meet these baseline specs:

• File Format: High-resolution PDF preferred.
• Color Space: CMYK (not RGB).
• Resolution: 300–350 dpi for all images.
• Layout: One single PDF file per job (e.g., a 2-sided flyer = a single 2-page PDF).
• Marks: Include both bleed and trim marks.

📐 Setup & Layout Specifications

1. Bleed & Trim Marks (The Cutting Buffer)

Bleed is the area of your artwork that extends past the final trim line. It acts as a safety buffer during cutting so you never end up with accidental white edges.

• Our Requirement: We require a minimum of 3mm external bleed on all edges.
• Trim Marks: Always include crop/trim marks so our press operators know exactly where to cut.

ProductDesired Final SizeRequired File Setup Size (with 3mm Bleed)Standard Business Card90mm x 55mm96mm x 61mm

2. Internal Buffer (The Safe Zone)

To ensure your vital content doesn't get cut into or look cramped after trimming, keep all text, logos, and essential graphics strictly inside the Safe Zone.

• Standard Items (Flyers, Cards, Signage): Keep text 3mm away from the trim edge.
• Booklet Safe Zones: Booklets creep when folded and require wider internal margins:

Booklet Page CountRequired Internal Buffer (Safe Zone)Up to 30 pages6mm from edge32 to 50 pages10mm from edgeOver 50 pages12mm from edge

3. PDF Layout Setup

Multi-page files must be kept in order within a single document. Please supply them as follows:

• Single-Sided Print: Supply a 1-page PDF.
• Double-Sided Print: Supply a single 2-page PDF (Page 1 = Front, Page 2 = Back).
• Multiple Variations (Kinds): Please supply a completely separate 1- or 2-page PDF for each unique variation or layout.

🎨 Color, Fonts & Image Quality

1. Color Space: CMYK vs. RGB

• The Rule: All artwork must be set up in CMYK.
• The Risk: Computer screens display in RGB, but commercial presses print using CMYK ink. If you submit RGB artwork, it will automatically convert to CMYK, which often causes your bright colors to look dull, dark, or shifted.
• Spot Colors: Pantone (PMS) or Spot colors should only be used if your job has been specifically quoted for them.
• Screen vs. Paper: Backlit monitors always look brighter than physical paper. If exact color matching is critical, we highly recommend ordering a physical proof or mock-up before running the full print job.

2. The Rich Black Secret

To prevent large solid blocks of black ink from looking washed out or dark grey, use a calculated "Rich Black" mix instead of standard 100% Black (K).

• For Heavier Card & Paper Stock: C: 60 / M: 50 / Y: 50 / K: 100
• For Lighter Paper Stock: C: 40 / M: 0 / Y: 0 / K: 100

3. Fonts & Text

• Embedded Fonts: Ensure all fonts are permanently embedded or converted to outlines/curves within your PDF to stop layout shifting.
• Native Working Files: If you are sending native files (e.g., Adobe InDesign, Illustrator) instead of a standard PDF, you must package the file to include all original font files and linked images.

4. Image Resolution

Any pixel-based images or photographs used must be high-resolution to avoid a blurry, pixelated final print.

• Pro Tip: When starting a new canvas in design software like Photoshop, set your document resolution to 300–350 dpi before you start designing.