Printing in the North East since 1898
Free artwork check on every order • Free UK delivery on print orders of £150 or more • Shop now
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.
The upload on our order pages takes PDF, PNG or JPEG files up to 50MB. If your file is in another format, such as AI, EPS, SVG or TIFF, email it to us and we will check it.
Your file is the right size, has 3mm bleed and keeps text inside the safe area. We check it for free and there is no artwork charge.
You have a design, but it needs resizing, bleed adding or text moving in from the edges. This is from £12 + VAT a side (most files are £12). If yours needs more work we tell you the price before we start.
You want us to create or lay out the design for you. This is £25 + VAT a side, agreed with you before we start. Funeral stationery is different: layout and proofs are included.
Not sure which one you have? Send us what you have and we will tell you, free of charge.
Bleed (3mm)
Extend backgrounds and images 3mm beyond the trim line. This area gets cut off, which prevents white edges. In InDesign or Illustrator, set up your document with 3mm bleed.
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.
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 (best), PNG or JPEG. AI, EPS, SVG or TIFF by email |
| Resolution | 300dpi minimum |
| Colour mode | CMYK |
| Bleed | 3mm on all edges |
| Safe zone | 3mm from trim edge |
| Max file size | 50MB |
Not sure which kind of file you have? Send it over and we'll check it for free. If you would like us to create the design, just ask for a quote.
