6 Tips for preparing artwork for commercial printing

Getting your marketing materials, business stationery or signage ready for print should be a smooth process. But small details in your artwork can sometimes lead to a bit of back-and-forth before production can begin.

These six simple checks can help keep your project on track and get your print looking just the way you intended.

Before you start designing

1. Check your print document size

Make sure your document is set to the correct finished print size. Some design platforms default to US paper sizes, while Australian printers traditionally use the A-series sizes.

Check your document dimensions and use the appropriate size for your project. If you’re unsure, confirm the finished size with your printer before getting started.

Paper size Dimensions (mm)
A7 74 x 105
A6 105 x 148
A5 148 x 210
A4 210 x 297
A3 297 x 420
A2 420 x 594
A1 594 x 841
A0 841 x 1189

2. Check colour profiles

Screens use RGB colour settings, while traditional printing uses CMYK. Colours may look different on screen and in print, so setting up your artwork in CMYK where possible can help you get a better idea of the final result.

Before exporting, check that your images and documents use the appropriate colour profile. Metro Printworks supports Coated FOGRA39, as well as the newer FOGRA51 and FOGRA52 profiles.

3. Check image resolution for printing

For sharp, clear results, images should generally be 300 DPI at their final print size. Low-resolution images may look fine on screen but can appear blurry or pixelated when printed.

Choose high-resolution images from the start and check their resolution before exporting your artwork. Simply increasing the resolution in editing software won’t necessarily restore any details that may have been lost.

For large-format printing, such as signage and displays, lower resolutions may be suitable depending on the viewing distance. Use the guide below as a starting point or ask your printer for advice.

Viewing distance Recommended resolution
0.6 m 300 DPI
1 m 180 DPI
1.5 m 120 DPI
2 m 90 DPI
3 m 60 DPI

Before you send your files to the printer

Once you have finished your design, check these final details before exporting your print-ready PDF.

4. Leave enough space for page margins

Keep text and important design elements at least 3 mm from the edge of standard flat artwork to avoid them being cut off during trimming.

For wire or spiral-bound booklets, allow at least 10 mm near the binding edge to keep text clear of the punching area. For perfect-bound books, images can span across pages, but avoid placing important text across the centre fold, where it may be lost in the binding.

5. Set up black backgrounds and text correctly

Large black backgrounds and headings can look washed out when using 100% black alone. For deeper, richer black areas, use the following colour breakdown:

Cyan 60% | Magenta 50% | Yellow 50% | Black 100%

For small black text, stick to 100% black only. This helps prevent registration issues that can make fine lettering appear blurry or show coloured edges.

6. Add bleed and trim marks

If your design includes colours or images that extend to the edge of the page, you’ll need to include bleed. This extra artwork extends beyond the finished size, helping prevent unwanted white edges after trimming.

Extend your background colours and images by at least 3 mm beyond the page edge. When exporting your print-ready PDF, include the bleed and trim marks so your printer can identify where the artwork should be cut.

Ready to send your files to the printer?

A little preparation goes a long way. These simple checks can make a big difference to your finished print. By preparing your artwork correctly, you can help avoid common issues and get the best results from your design.

Not sure if your files are print-ready? Get in touch with Metro Printworks. Our team is happy to help you get your project ready for print.

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