Guide
Prep your file once, print it right
Ninety percent of print problems trace back to the same five file issues. Here is the checklist our prepress team uses — same rules, shared upfront.
| Requirement | What it means |
|---|---|
| 3 mm bleed on every edge | Backgrounds and images must extend past the cut line |
| 300 DPI at final size | Text stays sharp; low-res images print blurry |
| Important text 5 mm inside the cut | Nothing critical sits where the blade falls |
| Flattened or embedded fonts | PDF preferred; JPG/PNG accepted for photos |
| CMYK or Pantone for brand colours | RGB converts automatically, with slight shifts on bright tones |
The mistakes that hold orders up
Screenshot as artwork
Screenshots are 72 DPI — text goes fuzzy in print
No bleed, edge-to-edge colour
Guarantees white hairlines on two or more edges
Text touching the trim line
Blade variation can shave letters
Ultra-neon RGB colours
Fluorescent screen tones cannot be reproduced in ink — expect a close match, not identical
Or skip file prep entirely
Every product on Yellowprints includes free browser templates with bleed, margins and DPI handled for you. Swap the text, drop in a photo, and what you preview is exactly what prints.
File questions we hear often
What is bleed and why does it matter?
Bleed is 3mm of extra artwork extending past the cut line on every edge. Paper shifts slightly as guillotines cut thousands of sheets — bleed ensures your background colour reaches the edge with no white slivers.
What resolution should my file be?
300 DPI at final print size. A business card should be 1063 × 613 pixels minimum; a 6×3 ft banner needs far less DPI because it is viewed from a distance — 100 DPI at size is fine.
Do I need to convert my design to CMYK?
We convert RGB files to CMYK for offset presses automatically. Screens glow, paper does not — so neon greens and electric blues shift slightly. For exact brand colours on critical jobs, provide CMYK or Pantone references.
Can I use Canva or my phone to design?
Yes. Export from Canva as PDF Print with crop marks and bleed checked. Phone photos work if they are well-lit and high resolution — our studio also lets you place them directly on templates.