When a print job goes wrong, the cause is usually the file: a blurry logo, a missing edge, colours that look different from the screen. A few checks before you send artwork solve most of it.
1. Use the right size
Design at the final size of the product. A visiting card is commonly about 3.5 x 2 inches, an A4 flyer is 210 x 297 mm. If you resize a small file upwards later, it will print soft.
2. Add bleed
Printed sheets are cut after printing, and the cut is never perfectly exact. Bleed is extra artwork that extends past the cut line, usually 3 mm on each side, so no thin white edge shows if the blade is slightly off. If your background colour or photo reaches the edge, it needs bleed.
3. Keep text inside the safe area
Keep important text and logos 3 to 5 mm inside the final edge. Text outside this safe area can be clipped.
4. Use enough resolution
For anything held in the hand, such as cards, flyers and brochures, images should be 300 dpi at the printed size. A photo that looks fine on a phone may be too small. Screenshots and images saved from WhatsApp are compressed and usually print poorly. For large banners viewed from far away, lower resolution is acceptable, but start with the largest original you have.
5. Understand colour modes
Screens use RGB. Most printing uses CMYK. Bright, glowing colours such as neon green or electric blue on a screen cannot be fully reproduced in CMYK, so they print duller. If colour matters, design in CMYK or expect a small shift. A dark navy that looks rich on screen may print darker still, so check a proof.
6. Convert or embed fonts
If the printer does not have your fonts, the text will change. Export as PDF with fonts embedded, or convert text to outlines in your design software.
7. Prefer vector for logos
A vector logo (SVG, PDF or AI) stays sharp at any size. A small PNG or JPG will blur when enlarged. Ask whoever designed your logo for the vector files.
8. Send a PDF
A single PDF with bleed and embedded fonts is the safest format. Put front and back on separate pages for cards and stationery.
Quick checklist
- Final size correct
- 3 mm bleed added
- Text inside the safe area
- Images at 300 dpi
- Colours checked in CMYK
- Fonts embedded or outlined
- Spelling and phone number checked
Next step
Not comfortable preparing files? Our design team can set up print-ready artwork for you. See our design services or send your file on WhatsApp and we will tell you if it is ready to print.
