You’ve worked hard on your design — now it’s time to bring it to life in print. But here’s the catch: if your artwork isn’t set up correctly, the finished product might not look the way you expected. Colours can shift, images may appear blurry, and in the worst cases, you may even have to pay for a costly reprint.
The good news? Preparing artwork for print isn’t complicated once you know the basics. In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll cover the key things to get right so your print job comes out sharp, professional, and exactly as you imagined.
1. Choose the Right File Format
Not all file types are created equal. For professional printing, we recommend:
- PDF (Print Ready) – the most common and reliable.
- EPS or AI – vector formats that keep logos and graphics sharp.
Try to avoid sending artwork in Word, PowerPoint, or screenshots — these don’t hold up well for print.
2. Check Your Colour Mode (CMYK vs RGB)
Screens use RGB (red, green, blue), which looks bright and vibrant. Printers, however, use CMYK (cyan, magenta, yellow, black).
If your artwork is set up in RGB, colours may shift or dull slightly when printed. Always convert your file to CMYK before sending it to print for the most accurate results.
3. Use the Right Resolution
Blurry prints usually come down to resolution. Here’s the golden rule:
- 300dpi (dots per inch) for most print jobs.
- 150dpi can be fine for large format items like banners (viewed from a distance).
Avoid using images pulled from the web — most are only 72dpi and won’t look professional in print.
4. Add Bleed and Safe Margins
Printers trim paper after printing, and if your design goes right to the edge, you’ll need a bleed area (usually 3mm around each edge). This ensures no accidental white borders appear.
Keep important text, logos, and contact details inside a safe zone, away from the trim line, so nothing gets cut off. We recommend that there is no text or important elements of the design within 3mm of the edge.
5. Don’t Forget About Fonts
If we don’t have the font you used, your text could default to something completely different — not a good look! To avoid this:
- Convert fonts to outlines/curves.
- Or send the font files along with your artwork.
Also, check your font size — very small text can disappear when printed. We do not recommend going below a 6 point font.
6. Proof Everything
The fastest way to spot mistakes? Print your file on a standard office printer. You’ll quickly see if something’s misaligned, too close to the edge, or hard to read.
Always double-check:
Spelling and grammar
Phone numbers, email addresses, and URLs
Logo placement
Better yet, ask a colleague to proof it — fresh eyes catch things you might miss.
If you are using a QR code ensure you check it scans OK.
7. Sending Your Files
High-quality files can be large. Instead of emailing compressed versions, use a file transfer service like WeTransfer or Dropboxto keep your artwork sharp and ready for print.
Final Thoughts
Getting your artwork print-ready doesn’t have to be daunting. Just remember the basics: the right file format, CMYK colours, 300dpi resolution, bleed, safe margins, and a good proof check.
At Chelmer Print, we’re always happy to check your artwork before it goes to print — making sure everything is set up perfectly so you get the results you want, first time.
?? Need help preparing your artwork? Contact us today and we’ll make sure your next print project is stress-free and professional.
Subject line ideas:
- “Avoid costly reprints: how to prepare artwork for print”
- “Our beginner’s guide to print-ready artwork”
- “Save time (and headaches) on your next print job”
Hi [First Name],
We’ve all been there — you’re excited to get something printed, only to find the colours look different, the text has shifted, or the images aren’t as sharp as you expected.
The good news? These problems are easy to avoid with a little preparation.
That’s why we’ve put together a Beginner’s Guide to Preparing Artwork for Print — a practical checklist to help you get your files right the first time.
?? [Read the full guide here]
In it, you’ll learn:
- The best file formats to use (and which to avoid)
- Why CMYK beats RGB for print
- How to set bleed, margins, and resolution correctly
- The quick proofing trick that catches mistakes before they cost you money
It’s a simple guide, but it can save you time, stress, and reprint costs on your next project.
And of course — if you’d like us to double-check your artwork before it goes to print, just send it over. We’re always happy to help.
Or if you would rather have someone create your artwork for you we are happy to help with that too.
Email us at info@chelmerprint.co.uk or contact us here or phone us on 01245 790785
Our office and design studio is based just outside Bishop's Stortford on the Essex and Hertfordshire border.