Artwork Checklist for Flawless Print Results

Want print results that pop? Whether you’re creating business cards, posters, or invitations, preparing your artwork properly is the difference between average and outstanding. At Composite Colour, we live and breathe precision. This artwork checklist will help ensure your files are set up perfectly—so we can bring your vision to life with stunning clarity and quality.

1. Add 3mm Bleed for a Perfect Trim Every Time

Always include 3mm of bleed on all sides of your artwork. This ensures your design extends past the trim line, so there's no risk of white edges after cutting. Bleed equals a polished, professional look—no exceptions.

💡 Tip: Most design software lets you set bleed when creating your file—just tick that box from the start!

2. Mind Your Margins – The Safety Zone Rule

Keep all text and important content at least 3mm inside the trim edge. This “safe zone” helps protect your content from accidental cropping and ensures readability across all printed materials—from booklets to DL flyers.

3. Design at 100% Scale

Scaling your artwork to 100% means what you see is what you get. Avoid surprises like blurry logos or skewed layouts by sticking to full-size design dimensions.

4. Set Up as Single Pages (One-Up Artwork Only)

Submit your artwork as single pages (one-up)—not spreads or multiple-up layouts. This keeps alignment sharp and makes our production process smoother, especially for complex jobs like wedding invitations or calendars.

5. Convert All Text to Outlines

Fonts can go rogue if they’re not embedded. To prevent any font substitution issues, convert all text to outlines (or curves). This locks in the look of your design—no matter what.

And remember:
For small black text, always use 100% K (C:0 M:0 Y:0 K:100) for razor-sharp readability.

6. Use High-Resolution Images (300dpi Minimum)

Low-res images = blurry prints. All photos and graphics should be at least 300dpi at actual size to ensure crisp, professional quality.

👎 Avoid using screenshots or web images—they’re typically 72dpi and unsuitable for print.

7. Avoid Thin Borders on Double-Sided Work

Due to slight shifting in the cutting process, thin borders can appear uneven on double-sided jobs. Best practice? Avoid borders or keep them thick and well inside the safety zone.

8. Go Rich Black for Bold, Solid Areas

Printing large black areas? Don’t use flat black. Instead, use Rich Black: 40C / 40M / 40Y / 100K. This blend gives a deeper, richer finish—perfect for bold backgrounds and solid blocks.

9. Stick to CMYK or PMS Colours

Print colours don’t play nice with RGB. Always convert to CMYK or PMS (Pantone Matching System) for reliable, consistent colour output.

10. File Format & Final Checks

We only accept press-ready PDF files. Here’s your must-have preflight checklist:

Requirement	Details
✅ Bleed Included	3mm bleed on all edges
✅ Correct Size	Matches the ordered dimensions
✅ Fonts	Outlined or embedded
✅ Embellishments	Spot UV/Foil on separate PDF page (100% Black)
✅ Special Features	Dielines, folds, perforations as spot colours & set to overprint
✅ Page Count	Matches job specs, combined into one PDF per version

Examples:

2 kinds of business card printed 2 sides = 2 PDF files (2 pages each)
A 32-page saddle-stitched booklet = 1 PDF file with 32 pages

Need Help with Your Artwork?

No stress—our prepress experts are here to guide you. Whether you’re unsure about bleed, colour setup, or PDF export settings, we’ll help you get it right.

📧 Have questions? Contact us before you hit send.

Final Word

At Composite Colour, your artwork matters. Whether it's sleek foil business cards or a bold batch of stickers, we treat every job with the same care and craftsmanship. By following this checklist, you're setting the stage for print perfection.