Artwork Guidelines

Good artwork = great results. This guide explains how to prepare your logo and designs for promotional product printing. Don't worry if you're not sure - we offer afree artwork check on every order.

File Formats We Accept

Best Formats (Vector)

Vector files give the sharpest results and can be scaled to any size:

• .AI - Adobe Illustrator (preferred)
• .EPS - Encapsulated PostScript
• .PDF - High-quality PDF with embedded vectors
• .SVG - Scalable Vector Graphics

Acceptable Formats (Raster)

We can work with raster images if they're high resolution:

• .PNG - Good for logos with transparency
• .JPEG/.JPG - Photographs and images
• .TIFF - High-quality images
• .PSD - Photoshop files (with layers)

Resolution Requirements

For raster/image files:

• Minimum: 300 DPI at print size
• Recommended: 300-600 DPI for best results
• Web graphics: Usually 72 DPI - too low for print

How to check: Open your image in any image editor and check the dimensions. A logo that will print at 100mm wide should be at least 1200 pixels wide (100mm × 300 DPI ÷ 25.4mm/inch).

Colour Modes

Pantone (PMS) Colours

Pantone is the gold standard for brand colour matching. If you have specific Pantone references for your brand colours, please provide them - this ensures consistent colour across all your promotional products.

Example: "PMS 186 C" (Coca-Cola red)

CMYK

For full-colour digital printing (photos, gradients), we use CMYK. Convert your files to CMYK before sending to avoid colour shifts.

RGB

RGB is for screens, not print. Files supplied in RGB will be converted to CMYK, which may cause colour shifts - especially with bright blues, greens, and oranges.

Artwork Best Practices

Do:

• ✓ Supply vector files where possible
• ✓ Convert text to outlines/curves
• ✓ Include Pantone colour references
• ✓ Provide highest resolution available
• ✓ Include bleed for edge-to-edge prints (3mm)

Don't:

• ✗ Send low-resolution web graphics
• ✗ Upscale small images (doesn't add quality)
• ✗ Use thin lines or small text for embroidery
• ✗ Include complex gradients for screen print

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. "I Got This From Our Website"

Web graphics are typically 72 DPI - great for fast loading, terrible for printing. Ask your designer or marketing team for the original high-resolution files.

2. "Can You Clean This Up?"

While we can make minor adjustments, we can't recreate your logo from a blurry screenshot. If you've lost your original logo files, consider having it professionally redrawn - it's worth the investment.

3. "It Looks Different to My Screen"

Screens display RGB light; print uses ink on physical materials. Some colours simply can't be reproduced in print. We always provide proofs so you can check before production.

What Makes a Good Logo for Print?

• Simple: Clean designs reproduce better at small sizes
• Bold: Thick lines and clear shapes work on all products
• Versatile: Works in one colour as well as full colour
• Scalable: Looks good from business card to billboard

Don't Worry - We're Here to Help!

Not sure if your artwork is suitable? Don't stress. We offer a free artwork check on every enquiry. Just send us what you have and we'll let you know if it needs any work.

If your files aren't print-ready, we can often make minor adjustments for free, or quote for more substantial artwork preparation.