Artwork specifications
Files that are set up right go into production faster and cost less to prepare. Don't have print-ready artwork? We can design it or set it up for you. Design charges apply.
File types
Logos and design files (for us to design or set up with)
- Supply logos as vector files: AI, EPS or a vector PDF. A logo pulled from a website or social media is rarely usable.
- A PDF of your logo isn't print-ready artwork. We'll still lay it out and set it up, and you'll get a proof to approve.
Print-ready artwork (finished files that go straight to production)
- A print-ready PDF is the complete, final design exported for print: at the finished size or a stated scale, in CMYK, with bleed added, fonts outlined or embedded, and images at full resolution.
- We produce it exactly as supplied, without a proof, so it needs to be final when you send it.
Photos and other raster images
- JPEG, TIFF or PNG, as long as they meet the resolution below.
- Include any linked images, or embed them in the file.
Fonts and strokes
- Convert all fonts to outlines, or supply the font files with your artwork.
- Expand strokes to objects so line weights don't change when the artwork is scaled.
Resolution
- Photos and other raster images need to be at least 200 dpi at 100% of the final size.
- If your artwork is set up to scale, the resolution scales too. At 50% scale, images need 400 dpi.
- Increasing the resolution of a small image doesn't add detail. If in doubt, send it and we'll check it.
Size, scale and bleed
- Supply artwork at 100% of the finished size, or to a clearly stated scale such as 1:10.
- Add at least 20 mm of bleed on printed graphics that run to the edge.
- Keep important text and logos well inside the edges, away from folds, hems, seams and fixings.
Colour
- Set up artwork in CMYK, not RGB.
- For brand colours, give us Pantone (PMS) references. Hex codes and RGB values are screen colours and can look different once printed or painted.
- If a colour has to match exactly, send a physical sample.
Designs made in Canva
Canva is a great tool, but we can't use a shared Canva link or your online working file. We need an exported file, and how it's exported makes a big difference to the result.
- Set the design to the finished size, or a stated scale, before you start. Canva's preset sizes are made for screens and paper, not signs.
- Download as PDF Print, with Crop marks and bleed ticked.
- If you have Canva Pro, choose the CMYK colour profile.
- Use high-resolution photos. Canva doesn't warn you when an image is too small to print large.
Even exported correctly, Canva files can print differently from how they look on screen. Logos and lettering for cut vinyl may need to be redrawn as clean vector artwork, which we can do for a design charge.
Artwork made with AI
AI tools are great for mockups, ideas and early logo concepts. The catch is what they produce: pixel images at screen resolution, not vector files.
- AI artwork usually can't be cut in vinyl, because a vinyl cutter needs vector paths to follow.
- It's rarely sharp enough to print at sign sizes, and enlarging it doesn't add detail.
- Text and fine detail in AI images often come out distorted up close.
Treat AI artwork as a starting point. Send it as a reference and we can redraw it as vector or rebuild it for production. Design charges apply.
Vehicle wraps and graphics
We work from vehicle templates in-house, so you don't need to supply one. Send your logo, brand colours and any content you want on the vehicle, and we'll set it up on the right template. If you have a full wrap design from your own designer, talk to us before they start, so it's built to the right measurements.
Sending files
- Small files can be emailed to info@alphalewissigns.com.au.
- For large files, use an online transfer service such as Dropbox, WeTransfer or Google Drive.
- Make sure the link doesn't need a login or password, and that it won't expire before we've downloaded the files.
- Include a low-resolution PDF or JPG of the layout so we can see how it's meant to look.
Before you send
Check spelling, phone numbers and details carefully. If we're designing or setting up your artwork, we'll send you a proof before production. Print-ready artwork goes into production as supplied, without a proof, so it needs to be final when you send it. Errors in artwork you supply or approve aren't covered by our warranty. You need the right to use any images, logos or fonts you supply.
