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Artwork Guidelines

High-quality artwork helps us produce the best possible print result. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays, artwork charges and unexpected print issues.

Preferred File Formats

For the best result, please supply print-ready vector artwork wherever possible.

Preferred formats

  • PDF with fonts converted to outlines
  • AI – Adobe Illustrator
  • EPS
  • SVG

Also accepted

  • PNG with transparent background
  • JPG/JPEG
  • PSD – Adobe Photoshop

Raster files such as PNG and JPG should be supplied at a high enough resolution for the final print size. Files created in Canva, Microsoft Word or PowerPoint may also be accepted, however additional artwork setup may be required. Where possible, please export these files as a high-quality PDF before sending them to us.

Image Resolution

For clear and sharp printing:

  • Standard print products should ideally be supplied at 300 DPI at final size
  • Large format printing such as banners, signage and displays should generally be supplied at 100–150 DPI at full size
  • Images downloaded from websites, Google or social media are usually low resolution and may appear blurry or pixelated when printed

Please avoid enlarging small images significantly, as increasing the physical size of an image does not improve its quality.

Vector Artwork

Vector artwork is always preferred for logos, text and graphics. Vector files can be enlarged to almost any size without losing quality, making them ideal for:

  • Signage
  • Apparel printing
  • Embroidery
  • Promotional products
  • Vehicle graphics
  • Banners
  • Large format printing

Common vector formats include AI, EPS, SVG and vector PDF files. Please note: simply saving a JPG or PNG as a PDF does not automatically make it a vector file.

Colour Setup

Artwork should preferably be supplied in CMYK colour mode for printing.

Please keep in mind

  • Colours displayed on a computer or phone screen may look different when printed
  • RGB colours may change when converted to CMYK
  • Slight colour variation between different materials, printers and production methods is normal
  • If colour accuracy is important, please provide the relevant Pantone / PMS colour reference

For critical colour matching, please let our team know before production begins. A printed colour sample or proof may be recommended. Exact colour matching cannot always be guaranteed across different materials and printing processes.

Bleed

Artwork that prints to the edge of the product should include bleed.

General guideline

  • Add 3mm bleed on all sides for standard printed products such as business cards, flyers and stickers
  • Some large format products may require different bleed allowances depending on the finishing method

Please extend all background colours, images and graphics into the bleed area.

Safe Area

Important information should be kept safely inside the finished edge. We recommend keeping the following at least 5mm inside the trim edge unless otherwise specified:

  • Text
  • Logos
  • Contact details
  • QR codes
  • Important graphics

This reduces the risk of important content being trimmed during production.

Fonts and Text

To avoid font substitution or formatting issues:

  • Convert all fonts to outlines or curves
  • Alternatively, ensure all fonts are correctly embedded in the supplied PDF

We also recommend avoiding

  • Text smaller than approximately 6pt
  • Extremely thin fonts
  • Lines thinner than approximately 0.25pt

Minimum sizes may vary depending on the printing method and product.

Logo Files

For the best quality, please provide your logo as a vector file.

Preferred logo formats

  • AI
  • EPS
  • SVG
  • Vector PDF

If vector artwork is unavailable, please provide the highest-resolution version of your logo that you have. If your logo is too low quality for production, our team can advise whether it can be recreated or vectorised. Additional artwork charges may apply.

Transparent Backgrounds

For products where the background should not be printed, please supply the artwork with a transparent background.

  • PNG files can support transparency, however vector artwork is preferred wherever possible
  • JPG files do not support transparent backgrounds

Black Artwork

  • For small black text and fine lines, we recommend using 100% Black (K100) rather than a rich black mix
  • Large black areas may require a rich black colour build depending on the printing process

If you are unsure, our artwork team can prepare the correct colour setup for production.

QR Codes

QR codes should:

  • Be supplied at a suitable size
  • Have strong contrast against the background
  • Include sufficient clear space around the code
  • Link to the correct final webpage or destination

We strongly recommend testing all QR codes before approving the artwork. Once approved and printed, Promotional Print cannot be responsible for QR codes supplied with incorrect links or information.

Product-Specific Artwork Guidelines

Apparel Artwork

For custom apparel, please supply logos as:

  • Vector artwork wherever possible, or
  • High-resolution PNG files with transparent backgrounds
  • Required print or embroidery position

Please also advise the position, for example

  • Left chest
  • Right chest
  • Centre chest
  • Full front
  • Full back
  • Sleeve
  • Cap front

Artwork may need to be adjusted depending on the decoration method.

Embroidery Digitising

Embroidery artwork also requires digitising before production. Digitising charges may apply depending on the design.

Promotional Products

Different promotional products have different print areas and decoration requirements.

Artwork may need to be adjusted depending on

  • Product size
  • Print area
  • Printing method
  • Embroidery area
  • Pad printing
  • Screen printing
  • Laser engraving
  • Digital printing

Our team will advise if any changes are required before production.

Banners and Large Format Printing

For banners, signage and large displays:

  • Supply artwork at the correct proportion
  • Use vector graphics wherever possible
  • Ensure images have sufficient resolution
  • Keep important information away from edges, eyelets, seams and finishing areas

Large-format artwork may sometimes be supplied at a reduced scale such as 10% or 25%, provided the resolution and proportions are suitable. Please advise us of the intended finished size when submitting scaled artwork.

Pull-Up Banners

For pull-up banners, important information should be kept clear of the bottom section of the artwork, as part of the printed graphic sits inside the banner mechanism. As a general guideline, keep important text, logos and contact details approximately 150–200mm above the bottom edge. Exact requirements may vary between banner models.

Car Magnets

For vehicle magnets:

  • Keep important information well inside the edges
  • Avoid extremely fine text or graphics
  • Artwork should be supplied at the correct finished size

Reflective and specialty materials may have restrictions on printable colours and production methods. Our team will advise where applicable.

Cut Vinyl and Lettering

Artwork for cut vinyl should ideally be supplied as clean vector artwork.

Please note

  • Extremely fine lines may not be suitable for cutting
  • Very small lettering may be difficult to produce or install
  • Complex artwork may need to be simplified before production

Our team will advise if changes are required.

Artwork Setup, Proofs and Approval

Artwork Setup and Design Services

Basic artwork setup may be included with selected products where only minor adjustments are required.

Additional artwork charges may apply for

  • Recreating logos
  • Vectorising low-resolution artwork
  • Major layout changes
  • Designing artwork from scratch
  • Complex photo editing
  • Multiple design concepts
  • Extensive revisions

If artwork charges apply, we will advise you before proceeding.

Artwork Proofs

Where applicable, an artwork proof will be supplied before production.

Please carefully check

  • Spelling
  • Phone numbers
  • Email addresses
  • Website addresses
  • QR codes
  • Colours
  • Dimensions
  • Logo placement
  • Artwork position
  • Quantity
  • Layout

Approval

Production will only proceed once artwork approval has been received. Once artwork has been approved, Promotional Print cannot accept responsibility for errors that were visible in the approved proof. Any changes requested after approval may result in additional costs and delays.

Important

Supplying artwork does not automatically mean that it is print-ready. Our team may review your artwork and request higher-quality files or recommend adjustments before production. We want your finished product to look its best, so if you are unsure whether your artwork is suitable, simply send us the best file you have and our team will be happy to advise you.

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