✅ FILE FORMAT

• Supply artwork as a high-resolution PDF.

• All fonts must be outlined.

• Logos and graphic elements should remain vector wherever possible.

• All linked images must be embedded.

• Do not supply missing links, missing fonts or unfinished artwork.

• Artwork must be supplied at the correct proportions.

• Clearly identify the finished size and artwork scale. eg: Filename_SizexSize_10%
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⚠️ LARGE ARTWORK — IMPORTANT

IF THE FINISHED SIZE IS OVER 5000MM IN EITHER DIRECTION, SUPPLY THE ARTWORK AT 10% SCALE.

 

Do not supply artwork larger than 5000mm at full size.

 

For example:

10,000mm finished size = 1,000mm artwork size

20,000mm finished size = 2,000mm artwork size

40,000mm finished size = 4,000mm artwork size

This avoids issues caused by Adobe Illustrator's Large Canvas / oversized artboard system.

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DO NOT:

• Create artwork over 5000mm at full size.

• Supply Large Canvas / oversized Illustrator PDFs.

• Assume changing Illustrator's Raster Effects setting to 300dpi fixes the oversized-artboard issue.

• Export 10% artwork using normal 300dpi PDF downsampling settings.
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SIMPLE RULE:

Under 5000mm = full size is acceptable.

Over 5000mm = supply at 10% scale.

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✅ IMAGE RESOLUTION

Our large-format printers require a minimum final resolution of 180dpi.

For best print quality, we prefer 200dpi at final size.

The resolution required in your artwork depends on the scale you are working at.

Artwork ScaleMinimumPreferred

100%180dpi200dpi

50%360dpi400dpi

25%720dpi800dpi

10%1800dpi2000dpi

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FOR 10% ARTWORK

This is the easiest way to remember it:

1800dpi at 10% = 180dpi at finished size

2000dpi at 10% = 200dpi at finished size

1500dpi at 10% = 150dpi at finished size

300dpi at 10% = only 30dpi at finished size

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IMPORTANT

If you are working at 10%, do not export using a standard PDF preset that reduces images to 300dpi.

Doing this can destroy the resolution required for large-format printing.

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✅ DO NOT UPSCALE BAD IMAGES

Increasing the DPI number does not create extra image quality.

If the supplied image is low resolution, do not simply interpolate or artificially enlarge it to meet the required DPI.

If the available image cannot achieve 180dpi at finished size, contact us before supplying final artwork.

We may approve lower-resolution imagery depending on the application, viewing distance and available source material.

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✅ PDF EXPORT FOR 10% ARTWORK

When exporting artwork supplied at 10%:

• Keep the PDF at 10% scale.

• Do not enlarge it back to full size.

• Do not downsample imagery below the required resolution.

• Keep vector artwork as vector.

• Keep spot colours as spot colours where required.

• Keep cut paths as vector paths.

• Do not add printer marks unless requested.
   

RECOMMENDED TARGET

For artwork supplied at 10%:

2000dpi is preferred.

1800dpi is the minimum.

We can supply our recommended Illustrator and InDesign PDF export settings if required.

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✅ COLOUR

• Artwork must be supplied in CMYK unless otherwise requested.

• Do not supply RGB artwork unless specifically instructed.

• PMS colours requiring colour matching must be supplied as correctly named spot colours.

• If an exact PMS colour match is required, the client must supply the PMS reference or approved colour sample.
   

✅ BLEED

Supply 3–10mm bleed, unless otherwise specified for the job. 
If working at 10% - 1mm bleed = 10mm bleed.

Bleed must extend beyond the finished trim size.

Do not simply add a bleed box without extending the artwork into it.
 

✅ SAFE AREA

Keep important content away from finished edges.

As a general rule:

• Keep text and logos 20–50mm inside the trim edge.

• Allow additional clearance for hems, pockets, eyelets, joins, folds and other finishing.

If unsure, ask before supplying final artwork.
 

✅ CUT LINES

Cutting and finishing lines must be supplied as vector paths using correctly named spot colours.

Use:

Cut — through-cutting

Kiss — kiss cutting / vinyl lettering

Crease — folds or crease lines

Spot1 — white ink

Do not flatten these into raster artwork.

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✅ EYELETS

Where eyelet positions are required:

• Mark eyelets with a 3mm white dot with black outline.

• Position approximately 25mm from the artwork edge, unless otherwise specified.

• Keep important text and logos at least 50mm away from eyelets.
   

✅ DOUBLE-SIDED PRINTING

For double-sided artwork:

• Supply the front and back as separate PDF pages.

• Both pages must be the same size and scale.

• Clearly identify which page is the front and which is the back.
   

⚠️ FINAL ARTWORK RESPONSIBILITY

Artwork must be supplied FINAL AND PRINT READY.

We do not automatically:

• Resize incorrectly supplied artwork.

• Convert oversized full-size artwork to 10%.

• Rebuild layouts.

• Replace low-resolution images.

• Fix missing bleed.

• Fix incorrect colours.

• Correct spelling.

• Correct fonts.

• Repair cut paths.

• Recreate missing artwork.

• Correct client design errors.

Incorrect artwork may be returned for correction and may delay production.
 

🚨 THE THREE RULES TO REMEMBER

1. OVER 4500MM? SUPPLY IT AT 10%.

2. 10% ARTWORK? 1800DPI MINIMUM — 2000DPI PREFERRED.

3. DO NOT DOWNSAMPLE 10% ARTWORK TO 300DPI.

If you're unsure, ask us before exporting the final PDF.