artwork tips

FILE FORMATS

PDF is the preferred format for print
If you can export from your app to a PDF file, please do so using the ‘High Quality’ or ‘Press Quality’ setting if available.

JPG, Photoshop PSD, TIFF and images within documents
For best quality, colour and greyscale images should be at least 300dpi at their finished print size. Black and white images should be 600dpi or more at their finished print size.

For photo printing please send the original file at actual size. Photos downloaded from Facebook or WhatsApp may not be good enough to print.

Lower resolution images may be pixelated or blurred when printed.

Microsoft Office documents (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx .pub)
We canprint from Office files though there are caveats outlined in the sections below. Where possible save/export your document as a PDF using the ‘Standard (publishing online and printing)’ setting.

Canva Documents
We are happy to accept your Canva creations for printing. Please ensure your document size is correct for the finished printed item. When you are ready to send to us click share > download and choose PDF Print file using the settings below. Then download and forward us the PDF.

COLOUR PRINTING

It is unlikely your home monitor and printer will display colours accurately. You will need to see a colour swatch in-store to view how printed colours will appear on paper.

4 colour work (full colour) with text and graphics
To ensure predictable print results it is important that your digital artwork is provided in the CMYK colour space. Images and graphics should be converted from RGB to CMYK.

Some RGB colours, suited to display on monitors, cannot be reproduced on commercial printing machines and digital colour copiers. Some RGB images may experience colour shift when converted to CMYK. Where possible please use the CMYK colour profile ‘FOGRA 39’.

Microsoft Word and PowerPoint do not have the facility to convert to CMYK. Some colours may not print how you expect. It is best to use a DTP program using the CMYK palette to minimise colour variations when your job goes to print. Refer to the HELP section within your software application for more colour info.

We happily print files from other programs such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel but there may be extra cost incurred to make your file print ready.

Spot colour work (Pantone)
For jobs in 1, 2 or 3 colours (other than black) please use the Pantone Solid spot colour palette when providing your artwork.
This colour palette is available in Microsoft Publisher, Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Quark Xpress and CorelDraw.

OTHER FACTORS

Fonts
While we have an extensive font library, if you have used any special fonts in your design please make sure they are embedded in your PDF or converted to curves.

Bleed
All items that are printed to the edge of the page require bleed. This is the area of the design that goes beyond the edge of the sheet, which will be trimmed off on the finished product. (see images below).

Standard print items require at least 2mm bleed. Banner and supersize products require 5mm bleed.

If you cannot add bleed in your application or need further advice please get in touch.

Tips for supplying your electronic artwork

Ready to make an enquiry or send files?