Artwork Guidelines
Guidelines for creating and submitting print-ready artwork for fastest turnaround and best print results
Bleed Zone Setup Instructions
We have prepared the following guide to assist you with your electronic file preparation and submission. If you have a specific problem that is not covered in this guide, or have other questions, please feel free to contact us. Improperly prepared files can cause delays in production and/or undesirable results. Visit the link below.
Creating Print-ready Artwork with AI
Visit the link below for instructions and free prompts you can use to assist in creating print-ready files with your favourite AI chat bots, including ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, or Adobe Firefly.
How to create print-ready design artwork with AI
Creating Print-ready Artwork with Canva
When creating your design in Canva, ensure that you are creating it at the correct dimensions for the product you are ordering. Save as a print-ready PDF with bleed and do not flatten the file.
Download Templates
We have setup templates available for nearly every product available. See the templates tab on the specific product page, or contact us for a specific size.
General File Setup
Delete all hidden layers — including setup guides, template layers, or any artwork not intended to print. Even hidden layers can sometimes appear on the final output.
Orientation — Will be determined by your artwork setup, any sizes can be landscape or portrait.
Avoid borders near the trim edge — borders placed too close to the edge can appear uneven due to slight natural variation in the cutting process. If you do use a border, keep it well within the safe zone.
Image & Colour Requirements
- All images should be CMYK color mode at 300 DPI minimum (600 dpi recommended for flattened files) — RGB files are accepted however colour shifts are possible during conversion on our end.
- Provide vector artwork for all type, logos, and shapes. Only use embedded raster images for full-color photographic content.
- Do not include linked images, form fields, comments, or annotations — these will not print and can cause file processing errors.
Black Ink — Getting It Right
How you build black in your file makes a big difference in print quality.
Use Case: Recommended CMYK Values
Small text & fine details C:0 M:0 Y:0 K:100 (pure black)
Large filled areas & backgrounds C:30 M:20 Y:20 K:100 (rich black)
⚠️ Avoid heavy black builds like C:60 M:60 Y:60 K:100 — excess ink coverage can cause registration issues and slow drying times on press.
Type & Text
- All type must be outlined — do not submit embedded (live) fonts. Convert all text to outlines/paths before saving your final file.
- Minimum font size: 8pt
- Minimum line weight: 0.75pt
- White Knockout Text on Dark Backgrounds
- Thin white text reversed out of a dark or rich black background is one of the most common causes of readability issues in print. Keep these tips in mind:
- Use the recommended rich black (C:30 M:20 Y:20 K:100) — heavier builds increase the risk of color shift and ink bleed into your white text.
- Make white knockout text slightly thicker than you might on screen — what looks crisp digitally can fill in on press.
- Apply swelling — slightly enlarging the white knockout shape compensates for natural ink spread, helping maintain crispness after printing.
Dieline Setup
If your product requires a dieline (custom cut shape):
- The dieline must be on its own separate layer
- The layer/spot color must be named exactly: Dieline
- The dieline shape must be a single, continuous stroked path (not a filled shape or compound path)
- Set the dieline to overprint
White Ink Setup
If your order includes a White Ink option:
- Supply a single file containing both your CMYK artwork and the white ink layer — do not submit separate files.
- The white ink spot color must be named exactly: White_Ink
- To print white under a color, set either the color shape or the White_Ink shape to overprint
- To prevent anything from printing on top of white ink, set the White_Ink shape to knockout\
- Ensure the Dieline is also set to overprint if your file includes one
Quick Submission Checklist
Before uploading, confirm the following.
- All hidden layers deleted
- Correct file orientation verified
- In PDFs, ensure all images are CMYK at 300 DPI or higher and vector fonts are retained.
- If submitting flattened artwork (PNG, JPG, etc) use 600 dpi for sharpest result. and lossless ZIP compression.
- All fonts converted to outlines
- No linked images, form fields, or annotations. All assets including images and fonts must be embedded, not linked.
- Black text is K:100 only; large black areas use rich black (C:30 M:20 Y:20 K:100)
- Dieline is on its own layer, named Dieline, single stroked path, set to overprint
- White Ink spot color named exactly White_Ink (if applicable)
- File is CMYK only (or K only for black-only orders)
- Bleed is set to a minimum of 0.0625" on all sides
Border Guidelines
Use of borders on the edges of your design is not recommended and if you choose to do so it is at your own risk. If your design uses a border we recommend using at least 1/4" border, thin borders risk having edges cut off.
Colour Specifications
Print previews are not a safe and sure measuring tool for colour accuracy. Colours may be effected by monitor calibration, screen resolution, lighting, or other factors. It is important to note that RGB or Pantone colours can experience a colour shift when converted to 4 colour process (CMYK). Please ensure your files are in CMYK mode before uploading to ensure best results.