Artwork & files
8 guides
CMYK vs RGB: why your print looks duller than your screenScreens emit light, paper reflects it. That difference is why bright blues and greens shift when printed, and what you can do about it.3 min read
Embedding fonts: the check that saves a reprintIf your fonts are not embedded, the press substitutes something else and your layout moves. Two minutes at export prevents it.2 min read
PDF, AI, PNG or JPG: which file to send your printerPrint-ready PDF is almost always the right answer. Here is what each format does well, and which ones cause problems.2 min read
Preparing artwork for banners and standeesLarge format follows different rules from cards. Lower DPI is fine, but bleed, safe areas and eyelet clearance are not.2 min read
The safe area: why your text got trimmed offAnything within 3 mm of the cut line risks being trimmed away. Here is how to lay out a card so nothing important is ever at risk.2 min read
The seven reasons artwork gets sent backAlmost every rejected file fails for one of seven reasons, and all seven are fixable in minutes once you know what to look for.2 min read
What is bleed, and why your printer keeps asking for itBleed is the 3 mm of artwork past the cut line that stops white slivers appearing on the edge of your print. Here is how to set it up properly.3 min read
Why 300 DPI matters, and how to check yoursResolution is not a property of a file — it depends on how large you print it. Here is how to work out whether your image is sharp enough.3 min read