MADE TO
Short answer: set the document to CMYK, add 3 mm bleed, keep text 4 mm inside the trim, use images at 300 dpi at print size, outline fonts, then export a PDF. Skip any step and you risk a reprint, a delay or colours that shift.
Start from a free artwork template and the bleed, trim and safe zone are already set for you.
Step 1: Colour mode (RGB vs CMYK)
Screens glow in RGB light, so bright blues and greens look duller when printed in CMYK ink. Design in CMYK from the start so what you see is closer to what you get.
- Illustrator: File › Document Color Mode › CMYK Color.
- Photoshop: Image › Mode › CMYK Color.
- Use 100% black (K) for small black text so it stays sharp.
Step 2: Bleed, trim and safe zone
| Mark | Distance | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Bleed | 3 mm outside the trim | Extend backgrounds and photos to here |
| Trim | The finished size | Where we cut |
| Safe zone | 4 mm inside the trim | Keep names, numbers and logos in here |
A business card is 90 × 54 mm finished, so the file is 96 × 60 mm.
Step 3: Resolution
Images must be about 300 dpi at the printed size. A web image that looks sharp on a phone is often too small. Replace low-resolution images before you export; enlarging them does not add detail. Our product pages warn you about low resolution when you choose a file.
Step 4: Fonts and transparency
- Convert text to outlines (Ctrl+Shift+O on Windows, Cmd+Shift+O on Mac) or embed the fonts in the PDF.
- For Sinhala and Tamil text, always send a PDF, not a Word file, so the letters never change.
- Flatten effects that cause trouble, and keep spot-colour layers (for spot UV or foil) separate. See the spot UV and foil guide.
Step 5: Export a PDF
Export a print-ready PDF (PDF/X-1a where your software offers it) at the finished size plus bleed, with crop marks off unless we ask for them. Front and back go in one PDF with two pages, front first.
Before you send
- [ ] CMYK colour
- [ ] 3 mm bleed on every side
- [ ] Text and logos inside the safe zone
- [ ] Images at 300 dpi
- [ ] Fonts outlined or embedded
- [ ] QR codes at least 15 × 15 mm and tested
Then upload on the product page or ask us to set it up for you.
Frequently asked questions
What if I only have a JPG or PNG?
Send it. We check it for free and tell you if the resolution or size is a problem.
Do I need crop marks?
No. Set the bleed and we cut to the trim size. Marks inside the artwork can end up printed.
Can you fix my file?
Minor fixes are free. Bigger changes are quoted before we do them.
