Send a PDF at full size with bleed, images at print resolution and fonts outlined. Not sure about any of it? Send what you have: we check every file for free.
| Setting | Business print | Signs, banners, large format |
|---|---|---|
| Bleed | 0.125 in on every edge | 0.5 in on every edge |
| Safe zone | 0.125 in inside the trim | 1 in inside the trim |
| Resolution | 300 DPI at the printed size | 100–150 DPI at full size |
| Colour | CMYK | CMYK (RGB is converted) |
| Best file | PDF/X-1a or press-quality PDF | PDF at full size or to scale |
A print-ready PDF at full size works best. We also take AI, EPS, SVG, PSD, PNG, JPG, TIFF files up to 500 MB each. Logos print sharpest as vector files (AI, EPS, SVG or a vector PDF).
Word, PowerPoint or Canva files? Export them to PDF first, at the largest size the app allows.
Bleed is extra background past the edge of the finished piece, so there's no white sliver when we trim. Extend any colour or photo that touches an edge by 0.125 in for business print (cards, flyers, postcards) and 0.5 in for signs, banners and other large format.
Example: a 3.5 × 2 in business card is set up at 3.75 × 2.25 in. A 24 × 18 in sign is set up at 25 × 19 in.
Keep text, logos and anything important at least 0.125 in inside the trim on print and 1 in on signs and banners. Banners lose their edge to hems and grommets, and trimming can move a hair either way.
Photos and other images need 300 DPI at the printed size for business print. Signs and banners are read from further away, so 100–150 DPI at full size is plenty.
Images pulled from a website or social media are usually too small to print well. If you only have a small logo, we can redraw it.
Printers use CMYK inks; screens use RGB light. Send CMYK if you can. RGB files are converted, and very bright blues, greens and oranges can come out duller than on screen. Matching a brand colour exactly? Tell us the Pantone number with your order.
Convert text to outlines (curves) or embed the fonts in your PDF. Otherwise a font we don't have gets swapped for another one and your layout shifts.
Die-cut stickers and decals: draw the cut path as a spot colour named CutContour (100% magenta), 0.25 pt stroke, on its own layer. No cut line? We'll add one around your artwork for free.
Laser cutting and engraving: send vector paths only: 0.001 in red strokes (RGB 255, 0, 0) to cut, black fills to engrave. Photos and raster files can be engraved but not cut.
Templates with the bleed and safe zone already marked, in PDF and AI. Templates coming soon; until then, any product page tells you the size to set up.
Upload your artwork on any product page as you order, or after checkout. We look at size, bleed, resolution and colour, fix small things, and send a proof before anything prints. Big or unusual job? Attach files to a quote request.
Stuck on a file? Call 306-500-1226 or email info@24hoursigns.ca.
A print-ready PDF at full size with bleed works best. We also take AI, EPS, SVG, PSD, PNG, JPG and TIFF up to 500 MB, and check every file for free.
Yes. Every file gets a free check for size, bleed, resolution and colour, and you get a proof to approve before we print.
Usually. Send the best version you have. If it's too small to print sharp, we can redraw it as a vector; we'll tell you the price first.
Yes. Pick "Have us design it" on any product page, or describe what you want in a quote request.
Close, but not exact. Screens glow and paper doesn't. Send CMYK files, and give us a Pantone number if a colour must match.
Pick a product, upload your artwork and see your ready date before you pay.
