How to prepare print-ready files (and avoid costly reprints)

A great design can still print badly if the file isn't set up correctly. Here are the five things our studio checks on every file - get these right and your job prints clean, sharp and on-colour the first time.

1. Add 3mm bleed

Bleed is extra artwork that extends past the trim edge so you never get thin white slivers when the paper is cut. Extend any background colour or image 3mm beyond every edge, and keep important text and logos at least 3–5mm inside the trim - that's the "safe area".

2. Work in CMYK, not RGB

Screens use RGB; presses use CMYK inks. Bright RGB blues and greens can shift when converted. Design in CMYK from the start (or convert and check) so the colour you approve is the colour you get. For an exact brand colour, give us the Pantone reference.

3. Use 300 DPI images

For crisp printing, images should be 300 DPI at final size. A photo that looks fine on screen at 72 DPI will look soft or pixelated in print. Avoid enlarging small web images.

4. Outline or embed your fonts

If we don't have your exact font, text can reflow or substitute. Export your PDF with fonts embedded, or convert text to outlines/curves before sending.

5. Export a press-ready PDF

A flattened, high-quality PDF (PDF/X-1a is ideal) with bleed and crop marks is the safest format. We also accept AI, EPS, PSD, PNG and JPG.