Design guidelines

Set up your file right — we'll catch the rest

Six rules for print-ready files. And if something slips through — every order gets a free human proof before it prints. No file? The Studio handles all of this for you.

01 · File size

Upload at the exact size you want printed

We can resize for you, but scaling up low-resolution art means pixelated prints. Size the artwork to its final dimensions before uploading — it's the #1 way to avoid delays.

Got an aspect-ratio alert? The file proportions don't match the ordered size — we'll flag it on the proof.

Your artwork◀───── 22.0″ ─────▶

02 · File format

Vector files print best

Save the final file from Adobe Illustrator as .ai, .eps, .svg or .pdf (Acrobat PDF 1.5) — vectors keep full resolution, fonts and outlines. Transparent background preferred for most products (except Lettering).

.AI.EPS.SVG.PDFbest

.PNG.JPGOK if 300 PPI at final size

Transparent background preferred — except Lettering.

03 · Cut & special settings

Name your spot colors — the cutter reads them

Cut lines are 1pt (.0156″) strokes with a named spot color, extended ⅛″ past the edge as bleed so no white sliver shows after the cut.

Can't do Illustrator? The Studio builds shapes and cut lines for you.

LetteringSingle color lettering & etched glassBackground = spot color BKGD (grey for white lettering); cut lines = spot LETTERING.

LogoExact cutCut line follows the art exactly — 1pt stroke, spot color EXACTCUT.

Any shapeShape cutDraw a pen-tool path around the contour — 1pt stroke, spot color SHAPECUT.

Clear / metalClear & brush metalVector PDF, no background — transparency becomes clear / brush silver / gold. White box on the proof means there is a background in your file.

04 · Image resolution

300 PPI is the sweet spot

Uploading a photo? Use the largest file you have. We show the PPI after upload: 300 is recommended, under 100 gets flagged. Exception — big outdoor signs viewed from a distance can go lower.

SHARP300 PPI ✓BLURRY72 PPI ✕

05 · Color settings

Screens lie — CMYK tells the truth

Monitors produce light, so on-screen color always looks brighter than print. Most customers: upload RGB as-is — we convert automatically. Pro designers: submit in CMYK with images pre-converted for the tightest match.

Brightness on screen → in print

RGB screenCMYK screenPrint

06 · Fonts

Embed fonts or convert to outlines

Custom fonts that aren't embedded get swapped to Arial on your proof. Check embedding in Adobe Acrobat's font settings.

Can't embed? Convert text to outlines, or pick a font in the Studio instead.

Aayour fontAaoutlines ✓

Rather skip all this?Design in the Studio — sizes, cut lines, fonts and colors are handled automatically. And every order still gets a free human proof.

Open the Studio