Help & Resources

Print-ready made simple

Artwork Guidelines

Set up your files with confidence. These practical checks help avoid delays and keep every print job looking sharp.

Artwork essentials

Everything we check before print

Work through each section before uploading your artwork. The details are short, practical, and ordered around the most common file issues.

Step 01

Preferred File Types

Preferred

PDF

Print-ready, high quality, easiest to check

AI / EPS

Ideal for vector artwork (logos, text, shapes)

PSD / TIFF / JPEG

Accepted for image-based designs

Note: Microsoft files (Word/PowerPoint) may shift fonts/spacing. PDF is always best.

Step 02

Artwork Size & Scale

Getting dimensions right

Please supply artwork at full size wherever possible.

If you can't work at full size, you can supply at a scaled size (for example, 1:10), but please make it clear so we print it correctly.

Step 03

Bleed & Safe Area

Important

Our production is fully automated so don't need bleeds or cropmarks, we handle trimming and finishing for you.

No Bleed Required

We do not require any bleeds or cropmarks as all our production is automated

Safe Area

Keep important text/logos 10-20mm from edges

Banners

For banners with hems/eyelets, allow extra safe space

Step 04

Resolution

Print sharp every time

Recommended settings:

150-300dpi

Close viewing - Retail - Indoor - Exhibitions

72-150dpi

Distance viewing - Billboards - Outdoor signage

Tip: Scaled files need higher DPI to compensate

Step 05

Colour Setup

Accurate colour matching

CMYK

Set artwork to CMYK where possible

RGB

RGB files work but colours may shift during conversion

Pantone

For brand-critical colours, provide Pantone references

Tip: Screens are backlit, prints aren't - some difference is normal. Ask about proofs for critical work.

Step 06

Fonts & Text

Avoid font issues

Outline fonts to curves

Recommended method

Embed fonts in PDF

Alternative option

Include font files

For AI/PSD files (if licensing allows)

Pro tip: Keep text bold and simple for distance viewing - thin fonts get lost at scale

Step 07

Images & Logos

Quality matters

High-quality images

Avoid screenshots or social media images

Vector logos preferred

AI/EPS/PDF format, not small JPEGs

Avoid tiny text on images

Becomes unreadable when printed

Step 08

Finishing Allowances

Banners, eyelets, hems

If your job includes finishing, your artwork needs space for it:

Banners (typical)

Allow 25-50mm around edges for hems. Keep elements at least 50mm from edges if eyelets added.

Pro tip: Tell us finishing requirements upfront - we'll confirm correct margins before printing

Need Assistance?

Not Sure If Your Files Are Ready?

Send them over and we'll help you get them print-ready. We'd rather catch issues early than waste your time and money on reprints.