How to Prepare Artwork Files for Custom Printing: A Complete Guide

Getting your artwork file right the first time saves you reprints, delays and disappointing colors. Whether you're printing custom stickers, labels, packaging or business cards, here's what actually matters before you hit upload.

1. Choose the right file format

Vector files (SVG, AI, EPS, or PDF saved from vector software) are built from mathematical paths rather than pixels, so they can be scaled to any size without losing sharpness. They're the best choice for logos, text-based designs and anything with clean lines or solid colors.

Raster files (JPG, PNG, TIFF) are made of pixels, which means they have a fixed resolution. They're the right choice for photographs and designs with complex gradients or photographic detail, but they need to be high enough resolution for the size you're printing at (see below).

If you're not sure which you have, a quick test: zoom into the file at 400%. If the edges stay crisp, it's likely vector. If they get blurry or blocky, it's raster.

2. Get your resolution right (300 DPI is the standard)

DPI (dots per inch) describes how much detail is packed into a printed inch. For sharp, professional results, raster artwork should be 300 DPI at the final print size — not the size on your screen. A logo that looks fine on a website (usually 72 DPI) will often look soft or pixelated when printed at a larger physical size.

A simple way to check: if your image is 1500 × 1500 pixels and you want to print it at 5 × 5 inches, that's exactly 300 DPI (1500 ÷ 5 = 300). If you want to print the same file at 10 × 10 inches, it drops to 150 DPI, which will look noticeably softer.

3. Use CMYK, not RGB, for print

Screens display color using RGB (red, green, blue) light. Printers reproduce color using CMYK ink (cyan, magenta, yellow, black). Because these are fundamentally different systems, an RGB file converted to CMYK during printing can shift in color — bright blues and greens are especially prone to looking duller once printed.

Where possible, set your design software's color mode to CMYK before you finalize your artwork, and view a CMYK preview so there are no surprises in the final print.

4. Add bleed and keep a safe margin

If your design goes all the way to the edge of the product, add a small "bleed" area (typically 2–3mm) that extends past the actual cut line. This protects against tiny shifts during cutting that could otherwise leave a thin white edge. On the flip side, keep important text and logos inside a safe margin, away from the trim line, so nothing gets accidentally cut off.

5. Flatten transparency and embed fonts

Transparency effects and unusual blend modes can render differently across software, so it's safest to flatten your file before exporting. If your design includes text, either convert the text to outlines/curves or make sure the fonts are embedded in the file — otherwise, the receiving software may substitute a different font without you knowing.

Quick pre-upload checklist

• Vector format (SVG/AI/PDF) for logos and line art, high-res raster (300 DPI) for photos
• Color mode set to CMYK
• 2–3mm bleed added if your design touches the edge
• Text and logos kept inside the safe margin
• Transparency flattened and fonts embedded or outlined

Not sure if your file is print-ready? Upload it when you configure your custom stickers or labels, and our team will review it and send a free design proof before anything goes to print — so you can catch issues before they become a reprint. Have a specific question about your file? Get in touch and we'll help you sort it out.