Follow these guidelines to make sure your artwork prints perfectly. If you're unsure about anything, just send us what you have and we'll check it for you.
Preferred format. Ensures fonts and colours are preserved.
AI / EPS
Adobe Illustrator and vector EPS files accepted.
SVG
Scalable vector graphics. Good for logos and simple designs.
PNG / JPG / TIFF
Image files accepted at 300dpi minimum resolution.
Bleed (3mm)
Extend backgrounds and images 3mm beyond the trim line. This area gets cut off — it prevents white edges.
Trim Line
Where we cut the paper. This is the final size of your printed piece.
Safe Zone (3mm inside trim)
Keep all important content — text, logos, phone numbers — inside this area so nothing gets cut off.
All images must be at least 300dpi (dots per inch) at the final print size. Low-resolution images will appear blurry when printed.
Tip
Check your image resolution in Photoshop: Image > Image Size. At 100% size, it should show 300dpi or higher.
Add 3mm bleed on all edges. Bleed is the area beyond the trim line that gets cut off — it prevents white edges if the cut is slightly off.
Tip
In InDesign or Illustrator, set up your document with 3mm bleed. Extend background colours and images to the bleed edge.
Keep all important content (text, logos) at least 3mm inside the trim edge. This ensures nothing gets cut off.
Tip
Think of it as a 3mm border around the inside of your design where nothing important should be.
Use CMYK colour mode, not RGB. CMYK is how printers mix ink (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black). RGB colours can look different when printed.
Tip
In Photoshop: Image > Mode > CMYK Color. In Illustrator: File > Document Color Mode > CMYK.
Outline all fonts in your PDF or Illustrator file. This converts text to shapes so the correct font always displays, even if we don't have it installed. Important: always keep a saved copy of your file with live (editable) text before outlining. Once fonts are outlined, the text cannot be edited. Outline fonts only on your final export copy.
Tip
In Illustrator: Select all text, then Type > Create Outlines. In InDesign: export as PDF with 'Subset Fonts Below 100%'.
Maximum file size is 50MB. If your file is larger, try flattening layers or reducing image resolution to 300dpi.
Tip
For very large posters, contact us and we can arrange a file transfer.
| File formats | PDF, AI, EPS, SVG, PNG, JPG, TIFF |
| Resolution | 300dpi minimum |
| Colour mode | CMYK |
| Bleed | 3mm on all edges |
| Safe zone | 3mm from trim edge |
| Max file size | 50MB |
Not sure if your files are print-ready? Send them over and we'll check for free. We can also create designs for you — just ask for a quote.
