Artwork Guidelines

File Format

Export your artwork as a print-ready PDF. We use PDF files to ensure colour and layout consistency from your design software to print.

Bleed

Include a 3 mm bleed on all edges where colour or images extend to the edge of the page. Bleed prevents white edges if the cutter is slightly off. For items like business cards and postcards, this is essential.

If your design has a white background only, bleed is not required—we'll trim to size.

Safe Area

Keep text and critical elements at least 5 mm from the trim edge. Trim lines are not always pixel-perfect, so reserve the outer margin for background colour or image only.

Colour Mode

Use CMYK colour mode for print. RGB colours may not print as expected. Most design software lets you convert to CMYK before exporting PDF. For more detail, read CMYK vs RGB and GSM, or look up any term in our print terms explained glossary.

Resolution

Images should be at least 300 dpi at final print size. Lower resolution can appear pixelated or blurry in print.

Fonts

Embed fonts in your PDF or convert text to outlines. If fonts are not embedded and we don't have them installed, we may substitute them, changing your layout. When in doubt, outline your text.

File Size

Uploads can be up to 200 MB. If your file is larger, compress the images.

Wide Format

Posters use the same 3mm bleed as other print products. Corflute signs, A-frame signs and PVC banners use 3mm bleed on all edges (5mm for double-sided corflute). On corflute signs and PVC banners, keep key content at least 45mm from the edges near eyelets, and on A-frame faces keep it 20mm from every edge. Foamboard and PVC signs use 5mm bleed, with key content kept 10mm inside the trim. Pull-up banners are supplied at 850×2100mm with no extra bleed; keep important content 50mm from the top, left and right edges and 150mm from the bottom edge. Set up your document at final size, for example A1 for a full-size poster. Provide artwork at 100% scale so we print at the correct size.

Spot Colour

We print in CMYK. Spot colours are converted to CMYK, which may not match your swatch exactly, and colours on screen, including on your proof, can look slightly different from print. We do not offer printed colour proofs, so set your brand colours as CMYK values for the closest match.

Free Artwork Check

Every order includes a free automatic artwork check. It checks your file for size and bleed, resolution, colour mode and fonts as soon as you upload it, then shows an instant on-screen proof for you to approve. If it finds a problem, you can upload a fixed file at no cost, or add the artwork fix ($25 per design) and we make the small fixes it needs to print properly, such as bleed, trim and spacing.

Questions

If you are unsure about your file, upload it for a quote or contact info@downunderprint.com.