Artwork Guide
How to prepare and supply artwork for print — a straightforward guide from Lichfield Printers.
Supplying artwork correctly
Supplying artwork correctly helps us print your job as quickly and accurately as possible. If you are unsure whether your file is suitable for print, we are happy to check it before production.
Preferred file format
Where possible, please supply artwork as a print-ready PDF. A print-ready PDF should include:
- 3mm bleed where artwork goes to the edge of the page
- Crop marks and trim marks
- High-resolution images — minimum 300dpi at the finished print size
- Fonts embedded or converted to outlines
- Correct finished size
- CMYK colour mode where possible
- Pages supplied in the correct order
Other file types we accept
We can also accept artwork created in Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Canva, Microsoft Publisher and Microsoft Word. Please note that some files may need adjusting before they are ready for print, especially Word, Publisher or Canva files.
Bleed explained
If your artwork has images, colours or backgrounds that go right to the edge of the page, you need to add 3mm bleed on all sides. This means the artwork extends slightly beyond the finished size, so there are no unwanted white edges after trimming.
For example: an A4 finished size is 210mm x 297mm. With 3mm bleed, the artwork document size should be 216mm x 303mm.
Colours for print
Where possible, please set up your artwork in CMYK colour mode rather than RGB. RGB is designed for screens and can produce unexpected colour shifts when converted for print. If your artwork includes specific brand colours, please use the correct CMYK or Pantone values.
Not sure about your file?
Send your file over and we will check it before printing. Email info@lichfieldprinters.co.uk with your file and details of what you need.