artwork guidelines

Question 1

What is bleed, and why is it important for print jobs?

Accepted Answer

Bleed is the extra area beyond the trim size of your document, ensuring that your design extends all the way to the edge of the printed piece after trimming. For most projects, a minimum of 2mm bleed is recommended, but this can vary depending on the type of project. Without bleed, you risk having unprinted edges if there’s any slight variation during cutting.

Question 2

What file formats should I use for print?

Accepted Answer

For the best print results, send high-resolution PDFs. These are universally accepted by professional printers and maintain design integrity. Avoid file formats like MS Word, MS Publisher, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, Google Docs, and Canva files, as they can cause formatting issues or missing fonts and images. Ensure that all fonts and images are embedded in your PDF to prevent any errors in the print process.

Question 3

How do I ensure my fonts and images are correctly included in my print files?

Accepted Answer

To avoid issues with missing fonts or images, always embed them in your file before submission. This ensures your design will appear exactly as intended on any system or printer, even if the recipient does not have access to the original fonts or images. Most design software, like Adobe InDesign or Illustrator, allows you to embed fonts and images easily.

Question 4

What resolution should my images be for print?

Accepted Answer

For high-quality prints, your images should have a minimum resolution of 300ppi (pixels per inch). This ensures that your images are sharp and clear in the final printed product. Low-resolution images, especially those that are scaled up, may appear pixelated or blurry when printed.

Question 5

Why do I need to proofread my files before sending them for printing?

Accepted Answer

Proofreading is crucial before sending files to print to ensure that there are no spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors. Even minor mistakes can have a significant impact on the cost of the final product, so it’s essential to check your content carefully to avoid any printing inaccuracies. We (Wolfpack) don’t proofread files unless specifically requested, so it’s up to you to ensure the text is error-free.

Question 6

What is the difference between RGB and CMYK for printing?

Accepted Answer

RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is the colour model used for digital screens, while CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) is used for printing. RGB colours are created by combining light, whereas CMYK colours are made by mixing inks. To ensure colour accuracy in print, always set your files to CMYK, as this colour mode matches the printing process. RGB colours may not print as expected and can result in a shift in hues.

Question 7

What are the correct margins for printing?

Accepted Answer

Margins are important to ensure that no important information or borders are cut off during the printing process. Most projects require a margin of at least 3-5mm, but the exact margin size will depend on your specific project. Always check the print specification sheet for the precise margin requirements for your item.

Question 8

What is the correct size for my print file?

Accepted Answer

The file must be sized exactly according to the intended print dimensions. To avoid distortion or loss of quality, do not resize your file after it's created. Refer to the print specification sheet for your project to ensure that your file is correctly sized. If you're unsure, it's best to contact us before submitting the file.

Question 9

What is the best paper type for my print project?

Accepted Answer

The best paper type depends on the nature of your project. For example, if you’re printing business cards, a heavier GSM paper (around 350gsm) will give your cards a premium feel. For brochures or flyers, you may want a lighter GSM paper to reduce costs while still maintaining quality. The choice of paper will affect both the look and feel of your printed material, so always choose according to your project needs.

Question 10

What should I check for before sending my file to print?

Accepted Answer

Before submitting your file for print, ensure the following: 
1) Proofread your content for errors, 
2) Check the file is correctly sized, 
3) Ensure all images are at least 300ppi, 
4) Include appropriate margins and bleeds, 
5) Embed all fonts and images, and 
6) Set colours to CMYK. 
These checks help prevent delays and ensure your print job meets expectations.

Item	Finished Size	Bleed	Margins	Details
COMMERCIAL PRINT READY SPECIFICATIONS All sizes given are in millimetres
Business Cards	90 x 54	2	3-5	full spec sheet
A6 (Postcard)	105 x 148	2	5	full spec sheet
DL	99 x 210	2	5	full spec sheet
A5	148 x 210	2	5	full spec sheet
A4	210 x 297	2	5	full spec sheet
TRI-FOLD Brochure	210 x 297	2	5	full spec sheet
A3	297 x 420	2	5	full spec sheet
A2	420 x 594	2	5
A1	594 x 841	2	5
A0	841 x 1189	2	5
Booklets	A4 \| A5 \| A6	5	10	full spec sheet
Docket books (NCR)	A4 \| A5 \| DL	3mm if needed	5 min	Perforation @ 18mm. 5mm margin required from perforation. full spec sheet
Corflutes	600x900 \| 900x1200	20	30	10mm eyelets 15mm from edges if required. Use 3mm magenta dot on artwork for eyelet placement. full spec sheet
ACM	Custom	25, 5 (If 1500 high)	30	Plus 25mm bleed for overlapping panels 10mm eyelets 15mm from edges if required. Use 3mm magenta dot on artwork for eyelet placement. full spec sheet
Vehicle Wraps	Custom	100-300	50	25mm bleed for overlapping panels Max print height 1500mm inc bleed Due to vehicle wraps being so unique and customised to each vehicle, a setup fee applies to any supplied artwork. Take into account any lights, badges, handles and other obstacles.
Auto View One Way Vision	Custom	100	50	Avoid obstacles such as wipers, lights, cameras and mirrors. For vehicles with a large curve 150mm bleed may be needed at the top. Print file may need a curve to account for the curve of the window. full spec sheet
Shop View & Vinyl for flat windows	Custom	15	30-50	Bleed Right and Bottom only full spec sheet
Coloured Vinyl Cuts	Custom	No Bleed	N/A	Use contour cut hairline full spec sheet
Print & Cut Vinyl Decals/Stickers	Custom	3 -10	3	Use contour cut hairline full spec sheet
Pull Up Banners	850 x 2110	No Bleed	150mm at bottom & 50mm at top, 50mm on sides	full spec sheet
Deluxe Metal A Frames	600x900	10	30	full spec sheet
Wall Graphics	Custom	25	30	Plus 25mm bleed for overlapping panels
Vehicle Magnets	Custom	No Bleed	10	full spec sheet
Eyelet Banners	Custom	35	50	Max print height -1500mm inc bleed. 10mm eyelets 15mm from edges. Use 3mm magenta dot on artwork for eyelet placement. full spec sheet
Lightboxes	Custom	15	50*	*You need to know the size of the acrylic face and the size of the frame full spec sheet
Synthetic Posters	Custom	No Bleed	10-20
Sail Track Banners	Custom	No Bleed	50

GUIDELINES ON

BUSINESS CARDS FLYERS SIGNAGE VEHICLE WRAPS CORFLUTES BANNERS POSTERS BOOKLETS DECALS

Print Specification Sheet

Your Print Guide

Before you send us that file, make the following checks..

Vector Image Files

EPS - General Vector File

SVG - Web Vector File

AI - Adobe Vector File

CDR - Corel Vector File

Combined Image Files

PDF - Adobe Document Standard

PSD - Adobe Photoshop File

INDD - Adobe InDesign

Raster Image Files

PNG - Raster Image for Graphics

JPEG or JPG - Raster Image for Photos

GIF - Raster Image for website graphics

HEIC - High quality raster image

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