Preparing your artwork

Preparing your artwork

How to Prepare Your Artwork for Perfect Printing (Beginner-Friendly Guide)

Preparing your artwork correctly is the easiest way to make sure your prints come out clean, sharp, and exactly how you imagined them. Whether you're ordering banners, magnets, apparel, business cards, or a custom tent, following a few simple steps can save you time, money, and headaches.

This beginner-friendly guide walks you through everything you need to know before sending your file to print.

1. Use the Correct Color Mode (CMYK, Not RGB)

Most screens display colors in RGB, but printers use CMYK.
If your artwork is in RGB, your final print may look washed out or darker.

What to do:

  • Switch your document to CMYK color mode before designing.

  • This gives you more accurate color results and reduces unexpected color shifts.

2. Set Your Resolution to 300 dpi

For clean, sharp results, your artwork should be 300 dpi (dots per inch).

Low-resolution files (72 dpi) often look pixelated or blurry when printed, especially on close-view products like business cards, magnets, or apparel.

Tip:

  • For large items like tents or banners viewed from far away, 150 dpi is acceptable—but 300 dpi is always a safe option when unsure.

3. Add a .125” Bleed on All Sides

A bleed is extra space added around your design to ensure the print extends to the edge after cutting. Without bleed, you risk white borders or uneven edges.

Standard bleed: .125” on each side
Example:

  • For a 4x6" design → the file should be 4.25x6.25"

If you include backgrounds, make sure they extend into the bleed area.

4. Keep Text and Important Elements Inside the Safe Area

Even with perfect bleed, trimming can shift slightly.
To protect your design:

  • Keep text, logos, and key graphics at least .25” inside the edges.

  • Don’t place important information close to the border.

This ensures nothing gets cut off.

5. Use High-Quality Images and Vector Graphics

Good printing requires good source files.

Use:

  • PNG or TIFF images

  • High-resolution photos

  • Vector logos (AI, PDF, EPS, SVG)

Avoid:

  • Screenshots

  • Low-quality JPEGs

  • Logos pulled from social media

Vectors scale without losing quality—perfect for tents, banners, and large signs.

6. Outline Your Fonts

If the print shop doesn’t have your exact font, the design can shift or change.

Solution:
Convert all text to outlines before exporting your file.

In Illustrator:
Type > Create Outlines

This locks your text in place exactly as you designed it.

7. Save or Export Your File Correctly

The safest formats for printing are:

  • PDF (preferred)

  • PNG

  • TIFF

  • High-resolution JPEG (if necessary)

Avoid editable files like Word, Canva links, or PowerPoint unless requested.

When exporting:

  • Use CMYK

  • Include bleed

  • Check “High Quality Print” settings

8. Double-Check Everything Before Sending

This final step saves lives (and wallets).

Run through this checklist:

  • Is the artwork in CMYK?

  • Is the resolution 300 dpi?

  • Did you add bleed?

  • Are your fonts outlined?

  • Is everything within the safe area?

  • Is the file saved as PDF/PNG/TIFF?

If the answer to all is yes, you’re ready to print.

Final Thoughts

Preparing your artwork doesn’t have to be complicated. Following these simple steps ensures your banners, magnets, tents, and apparel come out looking clean, professional, and exactly how you intended.

If you ever need help reviewing your file, most print shops—including us—can double-check it before printing to make sure everything is perfect.

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