Artwork Guide
Please take the time to read the guidelines below thoroughly to ensure that the artwork you send is exactly how we require it. This will avoid any delays, complications, print errors, rejections or bespoke quotes being returned with design costs included.
Failure to adhere to our guidelines would almost certainly cause your order to be delayed and our turnaround time paused until resolved.
- File Type
- Resolution
- Dimensions
- Bleed Settings
- Fonts
- Colour
- White Ink Printing
- Cutting
- File Check
- Other
- Questions?
File Type
We only accept files in PDF format.
If you have artwork in other formats and require design assistance, or would like us to help in the creative process to prepare a print-ready PDF file, then get in touch or request a bespoke quotation.
Resolution
File resolution should be at least 150dpi for all artwork submitted. It is recommended that only high quality images are used, images obtained from the internet can look OK on your screen but will not achieve the same results when printed.
Dimensions
Each printing service we provide comes with standard sizing, which is listed on each available product page. A summary of our standard sizes includes:
| Size | Inches | Millimeters |
|---|---|---|
| Hoarding Panel | 94.5 x 47.2 | 2400 x 1200 |
| A0 | 33.1 x 46.8 | 841 x 1189 |
| A1 | 23.4 x 33.1 | 594 x 841 |
| A2 | 16.5 x 23.4 | 420 x 594 |
| A3 | 11.7 x 16.5 | 297 x 420 |
| A4 | 8.3 x 11.7 | 210 x 297 |
| A5 | 5.8 x 8.3 | 148 x 210 |
| A6 | 4.1 x 5.8 | 105 x 148 |
If you would like custom sizing outside of these sizes, then get in touch or request a bespoke quotation.
Bleed Settings
The industry standard is to have 3mm of bleed on each edge and a 3mm safe zone inside. This means that the length of each side will be 6mm longer.
E.G. an A4 sheet, when lined up correctly with bleed, will be 216mm x 303mm. It will then be cut down to its finished size of 210mm x 297mm.
Our Fly Poster Printing service offers 5mm border and full bleed options:
- 5mm bleed: Add 10mm to the width and height of the standard document sizing.
- Full bleed: Use the standard document sizings without any extra width or height.
Fonts
Always embed your fonts.
If you don’t embed a font, the PDF viewer will substitute a font if it is not available on the computer viewing the document, and the result usually isn’t what you intended. To determine if all of your fonts are embedded in your PDF file, open your pdf file in Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Reader.
Colour
The colour mode MUST be set to CMYK. Images supplied in RGB or other formats are likely to generate unintended print results.
White Ink Printing
White Ink Printing is available on our Vinyl Printing service. For this, the area that needs to be printed white should be generated using a Spot Colour called White_Ink and should also be set to overprint.
Cutting
Custom cutting is available on all printing services, but only by requesting a bespoke quotation. Stress that you require custom cutting when enquiring for a bespoke quotation and we will be happy to walk you through how to prepare your PDF file.
File Check
We want your job to run as smoothly and efficiently as possible so please ensure you conduct a thorough check before submitting your final artwork to us. We may conduct a brief check ourselves prior to printing, but this cannot be guaranteed. By submitting your artwork to us, you confirm you have complied with our artwork guidelines and are at fault if any errors occur due to not complying to these guidelines.
In cases where the guidelines have not been followed and we are required to carry out unexpected work, an excess charge may be incurred. We will notify you as soon as we can if there are any issues regarding your job.
Other
Any elements which are not required on the final printed artwork must be removed.
Questions?
If you have any questions about how to prepare your artwork, please get in touch via the online submission form, or call us directly on 0203 764 1664.
