What type of files to send and how sharp your images should be...

✅ Accepted File Types

PDF (preferred) – keeps fonts, images, and colours exactly as saved

TIFF, JPEG, EPS, AI (Adobe Illustrator)

👉 Tip: Always send a PDF when possible, it’s the most reliable for printing.

✅ Image Resolution

Standard Prints (business cards, flyers, leaflets, etc.) → 300 DPI
Ensures text and images are sharp and crisp

Large Prints (posters, banners, exhibition graphics) → 150 DPI
Viewed from a distance, so ultra-sharp resolution isn’t necessary

👉 DPI = Dots Per Inch (how sharp your image appears).

✅ Logos & Illustrations

Use vector graphics (AI, EPS, CorelDraw, etc.)

Vectors can be scaled infinitely without losing quality (unlike photos).

❌ Avoid Low-Resolution Images

Do not send files below the required DPI

Example: Images taken from websites (usually 72 DPI) → will look blurry and pixelated when printed

Getting colours right with CMYK, RGB, and Pantones...

✅ CMYK Colour Mode

Always prepare and send your files in CMYK colour mode to make sure your colours print as expected.

👉 Printers use Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black inks. Designing in CMYK ensures the colours you see on screen are close to the final print.

✅ Pantone Colours

Use Pantone spot colours when exact colour accuracy is critical (such as for brand logos or corporate materials).

👉 Pantones are special inks that guarantee exact colour matching.

❌ Avoid RGB

Do not send files in RGB (the colour mode for screens, not print)

👉 Example: A bright neon blue in RGB may print dull or different when converted to CMYK.

How to set up your artwork so nothing gets cut off...

✅ Add a 3mm Bleed on All Sides

Always include a 3mm bleed area around your artwork (this may be more on certain products) so your design prints right to the edge without leaving white lines.

👉 Example: For an A4 flyer (210 × 297 mm), your artwork should be set up at 216 × 303 mm. The extra 3mm will be trimmed off but guarantees a clean edge.

✅ Safe Zone (Margins)

Keep all important text, logos, and images at least 6mm inside the edge of your design.

👉 Cutting machines can shift slightly during trimming. By keeping content within this safe zone, you avoid having text or key details accidentally cut off.

✅ Borders

Make sure borders are at least 5mm thick or more if you plan to use them in your design.

👉 Thin borders may look uneven once trimmed, as even the smallest cut variations become noticeable.

❌ Avoid Placing Content at the Edge

Do not place text, logos, or other important elements right up against the edge of your artwork.

👉 They may be trimmed off or appear unprofessional if the cut is even slightly misaligned.