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Creating a design that looks amazing on screen and in print can be tricky — but with the right preparation, your project will turn out bold, crisp, and professional every time.
Here are our top tips to help you get the best results from your artwork.
Before sending your artwork, convert all text to outlines (also called "curves" or "shapes"). This prevents font issues and guarantees your text prints exactly as designed. Be sure to always save the file with outlined text as a copy, to ensure you can still edit your original design file in the future.
Adobe Illustrator and InDesign
Select all text, go to Type > Create Outlines or Shift + Command + O
Adobe Acrobat Pro
Use the "Preflight" tool in the "Print Production" menu to apply the "Convert fonts to outlines" fixup.
Still not sure how? We're happy to help — just call or email us!
If you want sharp, vibrant, professional prints — high-resolution files are essential.
What looks good on your phone or computer screen doesn’t always translate well to print. Screens use light to display images, while printing requires detailed pixel data. That’s why resolution matters.
A high-resolution file contains enough detail to print clearly without looking blurry or pixelated.
For most print projects, we recommend:
✔ 300 DPI (dots per inch) at final print size
✔ Vector files (AI, EPS, SVG, PDF) whenever possible
✔ Large image dimensions that match your actual print size
Example:
If you're printing an 8x10" photo, the file should be 2400 x 3000 pixels at 300 DPI.
Low-resolution images may:
• Look blurry
• Appear pixelated or blocky
• Print with soft or fuzzy edges
• Show distortion when enlarged
Screens only display at 72 DPI — so screenshots, social media downloads, and website images are usually too small for printing.
🚫 Screenshots
🚫 Images downloaded from Facebook or Instagram
🚫 Photos sent through messaging apps (they compress files)
🚫 Small web logos
If you're unsure, send us your file — we’ll check it for you.
✔ PDF (print-ready preferred)
✔ AI, EPS, or SVG (vector files)
✔ High-quality PNG or TIFF
✔ High-resolution JPG (at 300 DPI)
Vector files are ideal because they can scale to any size without losing quality — perfect for banners, signage, and apparel.
For large-format prints like banners and posters:
• 150–300 DPI at final size is ideal
• Large, high-quality original images are important
• Vector artwork produces the sharpest results
The larger the print, the more detail your file needs.
Don’t worry — that’s what we’re here for.
Our team can:
✔ Check your resolution
✔ Improve image quality (when possible)
✔ Recreate low-quality logos
✔ Convert files to print-ready format
✔ Design something from scratch
We want your prints to look bold, crisp, and professional every time.
Just send us your file by email at order@inkitdesign.ca and we’ll take care of the rest.
— and we’ll make sure it’s ready to print the right way.
When designing artwork for print, bleed and margins are essential to ensure your final product looks clean, professional, and exactly as intended.
Without them, you may end up with unwanted white edges or important information getting cut off during trimming.
Here’s what you need to know.
What Is Bleed?
Bleed is the extra space added around the edge of your design that extends beyond the final trim size.
Printers trim printed sheets down to their final size, and this cutting process has a small tolerance. Bleed ensures that colour, images, or backgrounds extend all the way to the edge of your finished piece.
For most print projects, we recommend:
0.125" (1/8 inch) bleed on all sides
If your final print size is: 8.5" x 11"
Your file size with bleed should be: 8.75" x 11.25"
Your background colours or images should extend fully into the bleed area.
Margins, also called safe zones, are the areas inside your design where important elements should stay.
Text, logos, and key information should always be placed away from the trim line to avoid being cut off.
Keep important content at least:
0.25" (1/4 inch) inside the trim edge
This keeps your design balanced and safe during trimming.
Bleed Area
Extra artwork that extends past the trim edge.
Trim Line
Where the final piece will be cut.
Safe Margin
Area where important content should stay.
Adding proper bleed and margins helps:
✔ Prevent unwanted white borders
✔ Protect important text and logos
✔ Ensure clean, professional trimming
✔ Make your design print-ready
Even a small design shift during cutting can affect your final product if these areas aren't included.
If you're unsure how to add bleed or margins to your file, we can help.
Our team can:
✔ Add bleed to your artwork
✔ Adjust margins
✔ Prepare your file for printing
✔ Create a print-ready design from scratch
Just send us your file by email at order@inkitdesign.ca and we’ll take care of the rest.
