Export as PDF/X-4 where available. High Quality Print may be used when PDF/X-4 is unavailable. Include document bleed and inspect the final PDF.
Supplying Print-Ready Artwork Guide
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Image Magic Print-Ready File Guide
Prepare Your Artwork Correctly Before Uploading
Correct artwork preparation helps reduce file queries, production delays and unexpected print results. Always begin with the exact product specification and template before completing your design.
Quick Checklist Before Uploading
Correct sizeArtwork matches the selected product size and orientation.
Bleed and safe areaUsually 3 mm bleed and at least 5 mm safe margin.
Print-ready PDFPDF/X-4 preferred, with fonts and images properly included.
Final inspectionCheck spelling, page order, colours, images and finishing marks.
Product-specific templates and instructions take priority over the general measurements in this guide.
Confirm the Product Specification Before Designing
Do not prepare artwork based only on an assumed product size. Confirm all production details first.
Finished size
Confirm width, height, unit of measurement and portrait or landscape orientation.
Printed sides
Confirm whether the product is printed on the front only or on both front and back.
Material
Paper, card, sticker, synthetic sheet, banner, board and fabric may require different artwork settings.
Finishing
Confirm folding, binding, lamination, die cutting, perforation, drilling, eyelets, Spot UV or hot stamping.
Quantity and versions
Confirm whether all copies use one design or whether several names, languages or artwork versions are required.
Product template
Download the template from the selected product upload page whenever one is available.
Preferred and Accepted File Formats
| Format | Recommended use | Important checks |
|---|---|---|
| Preferred format for most print-ready artwork | Correct page size, bleed, fonts, colour and image quality | |
| AI / EPS | Vector logos, cut paths and editable artwork | Include linked images and fonts or package the files |
| TIFF | High-quality flattened raster artwork and photographs | Final physical size, suitable PPI and correct colour mode |
| JPEG | Simple photographic or flattened single-page artwork | Avoid heavy compression and repeated resaving |
| PSD | Editable Photoshop master file | Include fonts, linked Smart Objects and all required layers |
| INDD | Editable InDesign layout | Use Package to include fonts, links and instructions |
| DOCX / PPTX / XLSX | Simple office documents only | Export to PDF and carefully check page size and formatting |
| ZIP | Several artwork files, fonts, links or supporting documents | Use clear folder and file names and include the order number |
A PDF file is not automatically print-ready. It can still contain an incorrect page size, low-resolution images, missing bleed, RGB colours, unembedded fonts or wrong page order.
Website Upload Limit and Large Files
The website accepts files up to 50 MB per upload. When your artwork is larger:
- Select Upload Later when completing the order.
- Combine related files into one clearly named ZIP file where practical.
- Upload the file through WeTransfer.
- Send it to [email protected].
- Include your order number, product name and contact details.
Do not send large artwork without an order number. Production may be delayed when the team cannot match a transferred file to the correct order.
Finished Size, Bleed, Trim and Safe Area
Finished size
The final physical size after cutting, folding, welding or finishing. The PDF page should normally represent this size plus the required bleed.
Bleed
Extra printed artwork outside the finished edge. Extend backgrounds, photographs and patterns into this area.
Trim line
The intended cutting boundary. Small cutting movement is normal during production.
Safe area
Keep names, telephone numbers, logos, QR codes, borders and other important content inside this area.
General 3 mm bleed calculation
Artwork width = finished width + 6 mm
Artwork height = finished height + 6 mm
Artwork height = finished height + 6 mm
Example: an A4 finished size of 210 × 297 mm becomes 216 × 303 mm when 3 mm bleed is added to every edge.
Do not add crop marks unless the product template or Image Magic specifically asks for them. Crop marks can interfere with automated artwork placement when they are unnecessarily included.
Read the Bleed, Trim and Safe Area Guide for detailed examples.
Image Resolution and Scaling
Check raster images at the final printed size. Increasing an image’s printed dimensions reduces its effective PPI.
| Application | General effective PPI target |
|---|---|
| Business cards, flyers, documents and close-view products | Approximately 250–300 PPI |
| Posters and indoor displays | Approximately 150–250 PPI |
| Roll-up bunting, backdrops and large banners | Approximately 100–150 PPI, depending on viewing distance |
| Logos, text, QR codes and line graphics | Keep as vector whenever possible |
Changing a 72 PPI label to 300 PPI without adding genuine image detail does not create a true high-resolution image.
Refer to the Print Resolution Guide for effective-PPI calculations.
Colour Mode and Colour Expectations
CMYK printing
CMYK is recommended for most commercial print artwork. Screen colours may change when converted from RGB to the printable colour range.
RGB artwork
RGB files can be converted for printing, but vivid blues, greens, oranges and illuminated screen colours may become less bright.
Colour profiles
Do not assign FOGRA39 or another profile automatically unless the selected product or production team specifically requests it.
Printed proof
Request a physical proof before full production when colour accuracy is critical.
JPEG is a file format, not a colour mode. A JPEG can contain RGB, grayscale or CMYK data depending on how it was created.
Black artwork
- Use K100 for small black text and fine black lines.
- Avoid four-colour rich black for very small text.
- Ask the production team before using a rich-black build for large solid areas.
- Check that white objects are not accidentally set to overprint.
Read the RGB vs CMYK Colour Guide.
Fonts, Linked Images, Transparency and Overprint
Fonts
Embed fonts in the PDF. Convert text to outlines only when required, and always retain a separate editable master file.
Linked images
Embed linked artwork or package the original design file with all image links included.
Transparency
PDF/X-4 normally preserves live transparency. Inspect the exported PDF for unwanted visual changes.
Overprint
Review overprint settings carefully. White objects set to overprint may disappear during production.
QR codes and barcodes
Use clear, high-contrast vector artwork where possible and test it at the final printed size.
Thin lines
Avoid extremely thin rules, especially when reversed out of dark backgrounds or used in small-format products.
Recommended Software Workflow
Adobe Illustrator
Keep logos and shapes as vector. Embed links or package them. Embed fonts in the PDF or outline final text when required.
Adobe Photoshop
Prepare raster artwork at final size and suitable PPI. Retain the editable PSD. Export PDF or TIFF; use JPEG only when appropriate.
Adobe InDesign
Recommended for multipage documents. Export single pages in reader order using PDF/X-4 and Use Document Bleed Settings.
Canva and online design tools
Download using PDF Print. Include bleed when the design reaches the edge. Inspect page size, image quality, fonts and colours after export.
Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel
These applications can be used for simple office documents but offer limited print-production control. Export to PDF and inspect every page.
InDesign PDF Export Guide
Step 1: Choose Export and select Adobe PDF (Print).
Step 2: Select PDF/X-4 or High Quality Print.
Step 3: Avoid excessive downsampling or low-quality compression.
Step 4: Select Use Document Bleed Settings. Add crop marks only when requested.
- Export as Pages, not Spreads, unless specifically requested.
- Use the document’s correct finished page size.
- Use Use Document Bleed Settings.
- Do not add a slug area unless it contains requested production information.
- Open and inspect the exported PDF before uploading.
Multipage, Double-Sided and Folded Products
Multipage documents
Supply one PDF in normal reading order. Page 1 should be the first visible page, and the final page should be the last visible page.
Single pages, not imposed sheets
Do not arrange booklet pages into printer spreads unless the product template specifically requests an imposed layout.
Blank pages
Include required blank pages in the correct position. Do not assume the production team will insert them automatically.
Two-sided products
Clearly identify the front and back. Check rotation, head direction and whether the product flips on the long or short edge.
Folded products
Confirm panel widths, front cover position, reading order and whether any panel must be narrower for folding.
Several artwork versions
Supply each version as a separate clearly named file unless the ordering page provides dedicated front, back or version upload boxes.
Refer to the Folding Guide before preparing brochures or folded leaflets.
Binding and Special Finishing
Wire-O binding
Keep important content at least 10 mm away from the binding edge, or follow the larger allowance shown in the template.
Perfect binding
Spine width depends on the final page count and paper thickness. Confirm the calculated cover template before designing the spine.
Folding and creasing
Keep important text away from folds. Do not place Spot UV, foil, critical text or small QR codes directly across a fold.
Spot UV and hot stamping
Provide separate vector finishing-mask pages using solid black shapes and the exact same size and alignment as the CMYK artwork.
Die cutting and drilling
Use the product template for cut paths, holes and safety clearances. Keep critical content away from all cutting and drilling positions.
Large-format finishing
Allow for hems, eyelets, pole pockets, frames, seams, overlaps and visible-area restrictions.
For premium finishing, read the Spot UV and Hot Stamping Guide.
File Naming and Submission
Use clear file names
Include the order number, product and side, for example
ORDER1234_BusinessCard_Front.pdf.
Identify front and back
Avoid names such as final.pdf, latest.pdf or new-final-2.pdf.
Include instructions
State the final size, scale, orientation and any special finishing.
Package editable files
Include fonts, links and a reference PDF when supplying AI, PSD or INDD files.
Upload the correct version
Remove old drafts from the ZIP package to prevent version confusion.
Keep your master files
Retain editable artwork and original images for future changes or reprints.
What Our Basic File Check Covers
A basic production check may review obvious technical issues such as file opening, page size, bleed, orientation and visible image quality.
A basic file check is not a full design, spelling, grammar, data, telephone-number, price, QR-code or legal-content review. Customers remain responsible for approving all visible content before printing.
Artwork correction, rebuilding, font replacement, image editing, pagination or design changes may require additional time and charges. Production begins only after the final artwork, specification and payment are confirmed.
Common Artwork Mistakes
Wrong finished sizeThe artwork proportion or dimensions do not match the selected product.
Missing bleedBackground artwork ends at the trim line and may produce white edges.
Text too close to the edgeImportant information may be cut or appear visually unbalanced.
Low-resolution imagesSmall web images or screenshots become blurred when enlarged.
Missing fonts or linksText or images may change, disappear or display incorrectly.
Unnecessary crop marksMarks may interfere with automated placement or become visible.
Wrong multipage orderPages, covers, blank pages or back pages are arranged incorrectly.
Unclear file namesThe team cannot identify the correct front, back or final version.
Incorrect colour expectationsBright RGB screen colours are expected to reproduce identically in print.
Finishing areas ignoredContent enters a fold, binding, eyelet, hole, cut path or perforation.
Final Print-Ready Artwork Checklist
✓Product size, orientation, material and finishing are confirmed.
✓The exact product template has been used where available.
✓Bleed is included and backgrounds extend beyond the trim line.
✓Important content is inside the safe area.
✓Images have suitable effective PPI at final printed size.
✓Logos, QR codes and line artwork remain vector where possible.
✓Fonts are embedded or outlined when required.
✓Linked images and required supporting files are included.
✓Colour mode and colour expectations have been reviewed.
✓Page order, front, back, blank pages and rotation are correct.
✓Binding, folding, drilling and finishing clearances are correct.
✓Spelling, prices, dates, contact details and QR codes are approved.
✓The final exported PDF has been opened and inspected.
✓The file name includes the order or product reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which file format should I upload?
A print-ready PDF is preferred for most products. PDF/X-4 is recommended when your software supports it.
Should I include crop marks?
Normally, no. Include the required bleed but add crop marks only when the product template or production team requests them.
Is every image required to be 300 PPI?
No. Approximately 250–300 effective PPI is recommended for close-view products. Large-format products may use less depending on viewing distance.
Can I upload RGB artwork?
RGB artwork can be converted for production, but some bright screen colours may change when converted into the printable colour range.
Can I use Canva, Word or PowerPoint?
They may be used for simple designs. Export a print-quality PDF and check size, bleed, fonts, images and page order carefully.
How do I send a file larger than 50 MB?
Select Upload Later, transfer the file through WeTransfer to [email protected] and include the order number.
Will Image Magic correct every artwork problem automatically?
No. Basic checking is not a complete design or proofreading service. Corrections may require customer approval, additional time and charges.
Need Help Checking Your Artwork?
Send us the product name, final size, quantity, finishing requirement and artwork file. Include your order number when the order has already been placed.