We pride ourselves on our ability to deliver immaculate quality print, but we can only do that if your artwork is created and supplied correctly . Therefore, we kindly ask that you run your artwork through the Artwork Guideline & Checklist below.
Failure to do so could cause your file to be rejected and your turnaround time reset.
Alternatively, if you would like to discuss a project prior to the design stage, we suggest a quick call to a member of our studio team on 0116 403 0015.
FILE FORMAT:
Please supply artwork as a high-resolution PDF or EPS file.
ARTWORK SIZE:
We recommend setting up your artwork file at 25% of the overall size. If setting up artwork at 50% or 100%, please ensure that the resolution of your artwork is in line with our resolution guide below.
RESOLUTION:
For Large Format Printing, the best results are achieved when the resolution of the images are 125 DPI at final print size (100% Scale). In-fact images submitted at higher than 125 DPI will create large, unworkable file sizes without any visible gain in print quality.
If setting up artwork at a reduced size, please ensure that the resolution of your artwork is high enough so to allow for print-enlargement. For example, if your file is set at 25% scale, then the DPI must be 4X higher to compensate.
The general rule of thumb is to use as high a resolution as you can without the project becoming unworkable. We would not recommend printing artwork that does not meet the minimum criteria, thus failure to supply artwork that does not at least meet the minimum criteria, will cause your file to be rejected and may result in your turnaround time reset; see delivery (hyperlink to delivery in faq’s)
We have therefore created a guide below.
Quarter Size / 1:4 / 25% Scale: Minimum 300dpi – Maximum 450dpi - RECOMMENDED
Half Size / 1:2 / 50% Scale: Minimum 150dpi - Maximum 250dpi
Actual Size / 1:1 / 100% Scale: Minimum 75dpi – Maximum 125dpi
For detailed information, please see our RESOLUTION GUIDE
COLOUR:
Please ensure all artwork is created and supplied in CMYK only.
Remember that all images must also be converted to CMYK. Do not supply in RGB.
It’s best to avoid solid colours of only one ink (i.e. pure cyan, magenta, yellow or black) as these can be susceptible to slight “banding”.
For detailed information, please see our COLOUR GUIDE
USE OF BLACK:
Please ensure you have used the correct CMYK input settings for black
For Solid Black Areas: C:30 M:30 Y:30 K:100
For Black Text: C:0 M:0 Y:0 K:100
For detailed information, please see our COLOUR GUIDE
FONTS:
Please ensure all fonts have been converted to outlines; no live copy must remain.
For detailed information, please see our FONT GUIDE
BLEED:
Colour and images must extend beyond the edge of your artwork to prevent unwanted white borders. This is known as bleed.
For PVC Banners, please supply your artwork with 10mm Bleed all round.
For detailed information, please see our BLEED GUIDE
SAFE ZONE AND CLEAR AREA:
Please do not place any critically viewable content (text, logo's etc.) closer than 40mm from the edge of the finished size.
Background colours and images are fine going into the clear areas. This is to ensure that the finishing options you have selected don’t obscure any critically viewable content.
POLE POCKETS:
Ordering
If you would like pole pockets, please make sure you order your graphic at the finished size including the pockets.
For example, if you order a 1m wide x 2m height graphic and select pole pocket finishing, we will manufacture your graphic to a total height of 2m including the pockets.
Additional Clear Area
When selecting Pole Pockets, please leave an additional clear area where your pocket will be placed (the size of the pocket you have selected). To ensure that your pole pockets don't obscure any critically viewable information within the pocket area, please do not place any critically viewable content e.g. text or logos within this area. Background colours and images are fine going into the clear areas.
Setting up artwork for Pole Pockets
For a flat pocket size of 50mm, please setup your artwork with a clear area of 90mm (at the top and the bottom), that’s 50mm for the pocket + 40mm for the Hemming. This will make the overall visually safe area 1m wide x 1.82m high.
For a flat pocket size of 100mm, please setup your artwork with a clear area of 140mm (at the top and the bottom), that’s 100mm for the pocket + 40mm for the Hemming. This will make the overall visually safe area 1m wide x 1.72m height.
For a flat pocket size of 150mm, please setup your artwork with a clear area of 190mm (at the top and the bottom), that’s 150mm for the pocket + 40mm for the Hemming. This will make the overall visually safe area 1m wide x 1.62m height.