Why artwork readiness matters
Artwork is the most common reason a job is delayed. Files that are print-ready can move straight to proof and production. Files that need corrections, missing fonts or low-resolution images replaced have to go back to you, and that changes when the job can be completed. For same-day orders, usable artwork must be received and approved before the configured cutoff.
Preferred file types
A high-quality PDF is the safest choice for almost every product because it locks fonts, layout and images together.
- Print-ready PDF (preferred for flat print, stationery, banners and signage)
- Vector files such as AI, EPS or SVG for logos, decals, vinyl cutting and clothing
- High-resolution PNG with a transparent background for DTF and UV DTF transfers
- High-resolution JPG or TIFF for photographs and canvas prints
- Word, PowerPoint or similar files are accepted for document printing, but layouts can shift between computers, so export to PDF where you can
Bleed and safe area
Bleed is extra image that extends past the trim line, so that when the printed sheet is cut there is no thin white edge. Any colour or image that touches the edge of your design should extend into the bleed.
The safe area is a margin inside the trim line. Keep text, logos and important details inside it, because cutting has a small tolerance and anything right at the edge may be trimmed.
- Add bleed on all sides for anything that prints to the edge
- Keep text and logos well inside the trim line
- Do not add crop marks inside the artwork area; if your software adds them, place them outside the bleed
- For banners and large format, check the product page for hem, eyelet or pole-pocket allowances
Colour
Printers reproduce colour using CMYK inks. Screens display colour using RGB light, which can show brighter colours than ink can reproduce. Supply artwork in CMYK where possible, and expect very bright greens, blues and oranges to print slightly more muted than they look on screen.
If exact brand colour matters, tell us when you order and supply the colour references you use. Colour can vary slightly between print runs, materials and printing methods, so a colour printed on fabric will not be identical to the same colour printed on gloss paper.
- Use CMYK for print artwork
- Avoid rich black for small text; use plain black for body copy
- Screens vary in brightness and calibration, so your monitor is not a reliable colour proof
Resolution and images
Images should be high enough resolution for the printed size. An image taken from a website or social media may look fine on a phone but blur or pixelate when printed large. Large-format work viewed from a distance can use a lower resolution than a business card held in the hand, which is covered in our large-format sizing guide.
- Place images at their final printed size and check them zoomed in
- Do not enlarge small images to fill a big space
- Logos should be vector wherever possible so they stay sharp at any size
Fonts and text
Embed or outline fonts when exporting your PDF so that the text prints exactly as you designed it. Missing fonts are replaced automatically by software and can change spacing and line breaks.
Proofread carefully. We print what is approved, so spelling, dates, phone numbers and names are your responsibility to check before approval.
Clothing artwork
For DTF and heat transfers, supply artwork on a transparent background with no unwanted white boxes. Very thin lines and tiny text may not transfer cleanly onto fabric. For vinyl, artwork must be vector and made of solid shapes that can be cut and weeded. Tell us the garment colour, because artwork that looks good on white may disappear on black.
Proofs and approvals
Where a proof applies, production does not start until you approve it. Check the proof for content, spelling, layout, size and colour expectations. Approving a proof confirms that the job is correct as shown. Late approvals, or corrections requested after a proof, change when the job can be completed.
Need help with artwork?
If your files are not print-ready, ask about artwork help when you request a quote. Artwork services are quoted separately and are not part of the production subtotal, so the same-day surcharge does not apply to them. Contact info@samedayprint.co.za with questions.
