Artwork that looks perfect on screen can print badly if it is not set up correctly. These are the essentials printers check before your job goes to press.
1. Set the correct document size
Create your document at the finished (trim) size, for example 90 × 55 mm for an Australian business card, 148 × 210 mm for A5 or 99 × 210 mm for DL.
2. Add bleed
Bleed is extra image area beyond the trim edge, usually 3 mm on each side for small-format print. If your background colour or image runs to the edge, it must extend into the bleed. Otherwise, slight cutting variation can leave a thin white line.
3. Respect the safe zone
Keep important text and logos at least 3–5 mm inside the trim edge on small items, and more on large formats. Anything too close to the edge risks being trimmed off.
4. Use enough resolution
Photos should be around 300 pixels per inch at the final printed size for close-viewing items such as flyers and cards. Large banners viewed from a distance can use lower resolution. Never enlarge a small web image and expect it to print sharply.
5. Use CMYK colour
Commercial printers use CMYK inks. Designs created in RGB, the screen colour model, can shift when converted, and bright greens and blues often become duller. Convert to CMYK and review colours before supplying files. For brand-critical colours, ask about Pantone spot colours.
6. Handle black correctly
Small black text should usually be 100% black (K) only, to avoid registration issues. Large black areas can use a "rich black" mix for depth, but follow your printer’s recommended values.
7. Embed or outline fonts
Embed fonts in your PDF or convert text to outlines so the printer’s system does not substitute fonts.
8. Check minimum sizes
Very thin lines and very small text may not print clearly, particularly on textured stocks or with special finishes. As a rule of thumb, keep body text at least 6–7 pt and lines at least 0.25 pt.
9. Special finishes need separate layers
Spot UV, foil and embossing usually need a separate artwork layer or file showing exactly where the finish goes, in solid black, aligned with the main artwork.
10. Export a print PDF
Export a high-resolution PDF with bleed and crop marks included, as your printer specifies. Many printers prefer PDF/X standards.
Final checklist
- Correct trim size with bleed
- Important content inside the safe zone
- Images at sufficient resolution
- CMYK colour mode
- Fonts embedded or outlined
- Spelling, phone numbers and web addresses checked
Not sure your file is ready? Our graphic design team checks every file before we print. You can also get a printing quote.
