How to prepare artwork for print: bleed, CMYK, resolution

Most print problems come from files rather than presses. Run through this checklist before you send artwork and your job will go to print without delays.

1. Add 3mm bleed

Bleed is extra image that runs past the trim line. Cutting is accurate but not perfect, so if your background stops exactly at the edge, a thin white line can appear. Extend backgrounds and photos 3mm past every edge.

2. Keep text inside the safe area

Keep important text and logos at least 3mm inside the trim line, more on folded items. Anything closer risks being cut or looking cramped.

3. Use CMYK, not RGB

Screens mix light (RGB); presses mix ink (CMYK). Bright RGB greens and blues can't be reproduced exactly in ink, so design in CMYK where you can. We convert RGB files, but colours may shift slightly.

4. Use 300dpi images

Photos should be 300dpi at the size they'll be printed. A logo copied from a website is usually 72dpi and will look blurry. Ask for the original logo file, ideally a vector (AI, EPS or PDF).

5. Export a print PDF

Export as PDF with bleed and crop marks turned on and fonts embedded. If you're not sure, send what you have. Our prepress team checks every file and will tell you if anything needs fixing.

No artwork?

Our in-house designers can create it or fix an existing file. Just ask when you request a quote.