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File Preparation

Print-Ready Setup Guidelines

File Preparation Guidelines

To achieve the best print results, it is essential to prepare your files correctly before uploading. The following requirements explain how to set up colors, dimensions, resolution, and file formats so that your prints look professional and avoid unexpected issues during production.

CMYK vs RGB

All files must be created in CMYK color mode. CMYK represents the four process inks used in commercial printing: cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. If you design in RGB (the color space used for screens), the file will automatically convert to CMYK when printed, often resulting in duller or shifted colors. For accurate results, start your design in CMYK from the beginning.

Black and Greyscale

For crisp and legible black text, set type to 100% K (black) only. Do not mix black with CMY values unless you are intentionally creating a rich black background. For greyscale images, use greyscale mode rather than mixing color channels. This prevents unwanted tints or uneven tones in the final print.

Pantone and Special Colors

If your project requires Pantone or HKS spot colors, assign them to the correct channels in your file. When layering spot colors with other elements, use knockout instead of overprint to prevent blending. Always provide accurate Pantone references if you need brand colors to match consistently across materials.

Document Size

Always set your file to the final trim size of the product you are ordering. Submitting oversized or undersized artwork and scaling it later can cause pixelation or blurred edges. Designing at the correct dimensions ensures sharpness and reduces production errors.

Bleed Requirements

Bleed allows images and backgrounds to extend past the trim edge, preventing white borders after cutting. Please include the correct bleed size in your artwork:

  • Standard products: 2 mm
  • Envelopes: 1 mm
  • Folders, packaging, calendars: 3 mm
  • Textile frames: 15 mm

Any elements intended to reach the edge must extend fully into the bleed zone.

Safe Margins

Keep all important content — such as logos, text, and contact details — at least 3 mm inside the trim line. For spiral binding products, leave a 20 mm margin on the binding side. Extending backgrounds into the bleed area while keeping essential elements inside safe margins ensures nothing critical is cut off.

Resolution Standards

Image resolution is crucial for sharp results. Artwork supplied below the required resolution may print fuzzy or pixelated. Use the following minimums:

  • Photos and greyscale images: 250 dpi
  • Line drawings and fine details: 1,200 dpi
  • Large signage with text: 150 dpi
  • Web-based ads or temporary prints: 72 dpi (not recommended for large-scale output)

Line Weights

The minimum stroke width for printed lines is 0.22 pt. Thinner lines may not appear or may be automatically adjusted. Avoid using borders to frame layouts, as slight trimming shifts can cause borders to look uneven or cut into the design.

Accepted File Formats

We accept the following file types: PDF, EPS, AI, PS, JPG, or TIF. Please flatten artwork to a single layer before submission to prevent hidden objects or unintended changes during processing. Multi-layer files may cause delays or unpredictable results.

Fonts

Convert all text to outlines or paths to ensure that your fonts print correctly, even if we don’t have the font installed on our systems. Always check that your text has sufficient contrast with the background so it remains easy to read after printing.

Multi-Page Setup

When preparing booklets, catalogs, or other multi-page documents, remove any unused or blank pages before submitting. Number the remaining pages in order, starting from the cover to the back page. Incorrect page order or extra pages may delay production or cause errors in the final print.

By following these guidelines, you help ensure that your files print accurately, on time, and to the highest possible quality standards.