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How to Prepare Your Artwork for Same Day Printing Success

Jul 18, 2026

How to Prepare Your Artwork for Same Day Printing Success

How to Prepare Your Artwork for Same Day Printing Success

When you need printing urgently, correctly prepared artwork can make the difference between a smooth same day turnaround and an unexpected delay. Missing bleed, low-resolution images, incorrect dimensions, or unsupported fonts may require changes before production can begin.

At Printbox London (Same Day Printing London), we help businesses, students, designers, event organisers, and individuals prepare artwork for fast, professional printing. This guide explains how to create a print-ready file and avoid the most common artwork problems.

Table of Contents

Start With the Correct Print Size

Before designing your artwork, create the document at the exact size you want it printed. Enlarging a small design later can reduce image quality, change proportions, or make text appear blurry.

Common paper sizes include:

  • A6 – 105 × 148mm
  • A5 – 148 × 210mm
  • A4 – 210 × 297mm
  • A3 – 297 × 420mm
  • A2 – 420 × 594mm
  • A1 – 594 × 841mm
  • A0 – 841 × 1189mm

Custom-size artwork should also be created using the final width and height. For example, a banner measuring 100 × 200cm should be designed in the same proportion, even when working at a reduced scale.

Choose the Best File Format

A high-quality PDF is usually the safest and most reliable format for professional printing because it preserves the page size, images, layout, and fonts.

Commonly accepted file formats include:

  • PDF: Recommended for most print-ready artwork, documents, flyers, posters, and booklets.
  • JPEG: Suitable for photographs and single-page image-based designs when saved at high quality.
  • PNG: Useful for logos and graphics, although it may use RGB colours.
  • TIFF: Suitable for high-quality photographic and image-based artwork.

Editable files from applications such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, or Canva should ideally be exported as a high-quality PDF before submission.

Use the Correct Image Resolution

Resolution affects how sharp images and graphics appear when printed. Low-resolution files may look acceptable on a phone or computer screen but become pixelated when enlarged.

For most small-format printing, artwork should ideally contain images at approximately 300 DPI at the final print size.

Large-format graphics such as posters and banners may be viewed from a greater distance, but the source artwork should still be as clear and detailed as possible.

Avoid:

  • Downloading small images from social media
  • Using screenshots as final artwork
  • Stretching low-resolution logos
  • Enlarging images far beyond their original size
  • Sending compressed images through messaging apps when the original file is available

Understand RGB and CMYK Colours

Computer screens display colours using RGB, while most professional printing systems reproduce colours using CMYK or a printer-specific colour process. Because screens produce light and printed materials reflect light, the final printed colours may not look exactly the same as they do on a monitor.

Where possible, prepare artwork using CMYK colours or export it using a print-ready PDF setting. However, do not repeatedly convert the same file between RGB and CMYK because this can alter the colours unnecessarily.

Very bright neon, fluorescent, or illuminated screen colours may appear less intense when printed using standard inks and toners.

Add Bleed and Safe Margins

If your background colour, photograph, or graphic should continue to the edge of the finished product, your artwork needs bleed.

A standard bleed allowance is usually 3mm on every side. For an A5 flyer with bleed, the artwork size would therefore be 154 × 216mm before trimming.

Bleed allows the design to be trimmed accurately without leaving unwanted white edges.

Important text, logos, QR codes, and contact details should also remain inside a safe margin. We recommend keeping essential content at least 3–5mm away from the cutting edge.

Embed Fonts and Check Text

Fonts can change when artwork is opened on another computer if they have not been embedded correctly. Exporting your design as a PDF normally helps preserve the original appearance.

Before submitting your file:

  • Check that all fonts display correctly
  • Embed fonts during PDF export
  • Convert fonts to outlines when appropriate
  • Proofread names, prices, dates, phone numbers, and addresses
  • Make sure small text remains readable

Printing companies check technical print suitability, but the customer should carefully approve all spelling, wording, dates, and contact information before production.

Check Images and Logos

Logos and illustrations are best supplied as vector graphics whenever possible. Vector files can be enlarged without becoming pixelated, making them suitable for products ranging from business cards to large-format banners.

Before sending your artwork, confirm that:

  • All images are linked or embedded
  • Logos are sharp and not stretched
  • Photographs are not blurry
  • Images have not been accidentally cropped
  • Transparent elements display correctly
  • QR codes are clear and large enough to scan

Export a Print-Ready PDF

When your design is complete, export it as a high-quality PDF using a print or press-quality setting.

Recommended export settings include:

  • Correct final page size
  • 3mm bleed where required
  • Crop marks only when specifically requested
  • High-quality image compression
  • Embedded fonts
  • Single pages rather than printer spreads

For booklets and brochures, send the pages in reading order as individual PDF pages. Do not manually place multiple booklet pages onto one sheet unless requested.

Final Artwork Checklist

Before submitting your file for same day printing, confirm the following:

  • ✓ The artwork is set to the correct final size
  • ✓ Images are clear and high resolution
  • ✓ The file is supplied as a high-quality PDF where possible
  • ✓ Bleed has been added for edge-to-edge printing
  • ✓ Important content is inside the safe margin
  • ✓ Fonts are embedded or converted correctly
  • ✓ Spelling, dates, prices, and contact details are correct
  • ✓ All pages are present and in the correct order
  • ✓ The artwork matches the ordered orientation
  • ✓ Any folds, cuts, or finishing requirements are clearly explained

Artwork Tips for Popular Print Products

Business Cards

Use the correct finished size, add bleed, and keep logos and contact details safely away from the edges. Small text should remain clear and readable.

Flyers and Leaflets

Include bleed for full-colour backgrounds and ensure your main offer, contact details, and call to action are easy to find.

Posters

Use large, high-resolution images and create the artwork in the correct proportion. Designs prepared for A4 may not automatically enlarge clearly to A1 or A0.

Banners

Keep text bold and readable from a distance. Avoid placing important details too close to the edges, eyelets, or finishing areas.

Booklets and Brochures

Supply one PDF containing all pages in reading order. Saddle-stitched booklet page counts should normally be divisible by four, including the cover.

Stickers and Labels

Clearly indicate the finished size and required shape. Keep text and logos away from the cut line and provide a clean outline for custom-shaped designs where applicable.

Why Choose Printbox London (Same Day Printing London)?

We provide fast, professional printing for customers throughout London, with artwork checking available before production.

Our services include:

Many products can be completed within approximately 3–4 hours after payment and artwork approval, depending on the product, quantity, finishing requirements, and production availability.

Store collection and delivery options are available, helping you receive urgent printing quickly and conveniently.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best format for professional printing?

A high-quality PDF is recommended for most printing projects because it helps preserve dimensions, fonts, images, and layout.

Do I always need 3mm bleed?

Bleed is required when colours, photographs, or graphics extend to the edge of the finished print. It may not be necessary when the design includes a white border.

Can you print artwork created in Canva?

Yes. Canva designs should be downloaded as a PDF Print file, ideally with bleed enabled when edge-to-edge printing is required.

Can you print from a JPEG or PNG?

Yes, provided the image has the correct dimensions and sufficient resolution. A print-ready PDF is still preferred for designs containing text or multiple elements.

Can you improve a low-resolution file?

Minor improvements may be possible, but heavily pixelated or blurry artwork cannot always be restored to true high-resolution quality. Supplying the original design or image is always best.

Do you check artwork before printing?

Yes. We can check basic technical details such as size, resolution, orientation, margins, and general print suitability. Customers remain responsible for approving spelling, wording, dates, prices, and design content.

When does the printing turnaround begin?

The turnaround begins after the artwork has been approved and payment has been completed. Files requiring changes may delay production.

Conclusion

Preparing your artwork correctly is the best way to achieve fast, high-quality same day printing. Using the correct dimensions, high-resolution images, suitable bleed, safe margins, embedded fonts, and a print-ready PDF helps prevent delays and ensures your finished materials look professional.

At Printbox London (Same Day Printing London), our experienced team can check your artwork and recommend the most suitable printing options for your project.

Send us your artwork, preferred size, quantity, paper choice, and required completion time so we can review your project and provide a quotation.

Contact Information

Business Name: Printbox London (Same Day Printing London)

Address: 52 West Green Road, London N15 5NR

Phone: 0207 018 5678

Email: hello@printbox.london

Website: Printbox London (Same Day Printing London)

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