How to prepare print-ready artwork (without being a designer)
Resolution, bleed, colour and file formats explained simply, so your cards, flyers and banners print exactly as you expect.
A design that looks perfect on screen can print blurry, cut off or in the wrong colours. A few simple checks prevent almost every problem.
1. Resolution: aim for 300 dpi
Print needs far more detail than a screen. For sharp results, images should be about 300 dots per inch at the size they will be printed. A photo that is 1200 pixels wide prints sharply at about 4 inches wide. Large posters and banners viewed from a distance can go lower.
2. Leave bleed and a safe margin
- Bleed: extend background colours and images about 3 mm beyond the edge of the final size, so no white line shows after trimming.
- Safe zone: keep text and logos at least 3 to 5 mm inside the edge, so nothing important is trimmed off.
3. Colours look different on paper
Screens mix light (RGB) while printers mix ink (CMYK), so very bright screen colours, especially neon greens and blues, print slightly duller. If an exact brand colour matters, tell us and we can advise or print a test.
4. Send the right file
- Best: a high-quality PDF with fonts embedded.
- Also fine: a high-resolution PNG or JPG at the final size.
- Avoid: screenshots, images copied from WhatsApp, or Word files with unusual fonts.
5. Proofread before you approve
Check names, phone numbers, dates and spellings on the proof we send. Read it once aloud. Once a proof is approved, it goes to print exactly as shown.