Cheap Postcard Printing

Print-ready artwork explained

The process of ensuring artwork is 'print-ready' involves a common set of industry standards.

Here, we’ll briefly go through some of the universal basics including what the terms mean, and why each one is important. Or, read our detailed explanation of print-ready artwork, designed to make the process easier.

1. Bleed

At Discount Printing, we require a ‘3mm bleed’ for print-ready artwork. In printing, bleed refers to a visual style where the colour extends all the way to the edge of the paper. 3mm bleed is designed to ensure there are no thin white strips on the edges of the card in the final product.

2. 1-up on a single page

‘1-up’ printing means that each printed page is a separate page within your supplied artwork file. This is particularly important in relation to brochure and calendar printing, for example.

3. Nominate all colours as CMYK

When designing artwork, there are two main colour systems used to determine colours: RGB and CMYK. Before supplying final artwork, be sure to check the colour mode being used by your design application or software, and change it to CMYK if necessary.

4. Ensure your file type is correct

Ensure you create or submit your artwork as one of the following file types: PDF (our main preference for file types), TIFF, JPG, or EPS.

• PDF (our main preference for file types)
• TIFF
• JPG
• EPS

5. Use high resolution artwork and imagery

At Discount Printing, we request all artwork is supplied at a resolution of 300dpi or higher, because artwork with a low dpi value can print as blurry or pixelated. DPI is relatively common information that should be easy enough to find—even simple programs like Microsoft Paint can provide a reading on values.

6. Convert text to paths, curves or outlines

In this instance, ‘paths’, ‘curves’ and ‘outlines’ are relatively interchangeable. Each term refers to the process involved in transforming the text in your artwork into a graphic element. If the text in the artwork is converted and saved as a graphical element, or image, it cannot be changed. ‘Create outlines’—or similar—is a common function in the Adobe suite of design programs.

Need further help?

Read our detailed guide to print-ready artwork or call 1300 663 120 for further information on your printing requirements.