01 PDF — the safest format
The best option is PDF/X or a plain high-quality PDF. Word, PowerPoint or a Canva link also work as a starting point — but then allow time for layout rework. If you work with a designer, ask for a print-ready PDF with bleeds — that phrase saves everyone time.
02 Bleeds — 2–3 mm
If the design runs to the very edge, the file must be slightly larger than the final format — usually 3 mm on each side. Cutting machines have mechanical tolerance, and without bleeds white strips remain on the edges.
03 Safe zones for text
Text, logos and key elements should sit at least 3–5 mm from the trim line. This protects you from a phone number being cut in half.
04 CMYK, not RGB
Screens show RGB, print uses CMYK. Bright blue or lime green on screen may turn duller in print. Convert the file to CMYK or ask us to assess which colours will shift the most.
05 Fonts and resolution
Fonts must be converted to outlines or embedded in the PDF — otherwise they will substitute on our computers. Photos need at least 300 dpi at final size: an 800 px image from the web will look blurry on an A3 poster.
06 Not sure? Send it as is
File checking is our daily work. Send what you have and we will tell you whether the file is usable, what needs fixing and whether we can fix it ourselves. Faster than figuring everything out alone.