GUIDELINES

You can upload artwork up to 500 MB in size directly through our site.
If your files are larger, you can send them via a secure file-sharing platform, to hello@theprintingspot.co.uk, Include your email address and order number when uploading, in order for us to match the files to your order without delay.

TRIMS, BLEEDS AND SAFE MARGIN

When preparing artwork for print, bleeds and safe margins is essential to ensure your final product looks professional and error-free.
Trim marks indicate where the design will be cut to its final size.
Bleed is the area outside the trim, ensuring there are no unprinted edges once the document is cut. Please ensure of keeping critical elements like text away from the bleed and trim edges to prevent them from being cut off.
We offer an optional artwork technical check during checkout. Our expert team will review your files to ensure they meet our technical standards for the best print results. This includes checking trim, image resolution, bleed, safe area, colour space, gutter, embedded fonts and orientations.

Note that this is not a proofing service. We don’t check for spelling or design errors, so we recommend carefully checking your design prior to summiting it to us.

If your artwork doesn’t meet our print-ready standards, it may lead to delays or unexpected results, such as poor image quality or colour issues. In some cases, we may need to reject the file altogether.

HOW TO PROVIDE YOUR ARTWORK

Ideally your artwork should be provided as print ready PDF File, when creating PDFs for print, it is essential to use a recognised PDF maker, such as Adobe Acrobat, instead of relying on a design program’s standard “Export to PDF” option. Files not prepared correctly may be rejected.

Ensure your artwork is saved in the PDF/X-1a:2001 format for optimal print quality.

Ensure your images have a resolution of at least 300 DPI (dots per inch). Higher resolutions provide better detail and sharpness, preventing pixelation or blurriness, especially in larger prints.

FONTS

Embed all fonts or convert them to outlines to avoid font-related issues during printing. Embedding ensures the printer has access to the exact font, while converting to outlines creates vector shapes that remain consistent regardless of font installation.

COLOUR MODE

Use CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) mode for print, as it aligns with the four-colour printing process.
Artwork submitted in RGB will require conversion to CMYK, which may cause colour shifts or less vibrant results.