Creating Print-Ready Artwork
High-quality custom stickers start with properly prepared artwork. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to ensure your sticker designs print perfectly – from resolution and colour settings to file formats and bleed areas.
Your Artwork Preparation Checklist
- Set resolution to 300 DPI for crisp, detailed printing
- Add 3mm bleed on all sides of your artwork
- Keep important elements within the safe zone
- Convert all colors to CMYK mode (not RGB)
- Use accepted file formats: PDF, AI, EPS, PSD, CDR
- Outline all text/fonts or embed them in your file
- Flatten transparencies and effects before submitting
Resolution Requirements
Recommended Resolution: 300 DPI
For optimal print quality, we require all artwork to be at 300 DPI (dots per inch). This resolution ensures your stickers will be crisp and detailed, with no pixelation or blurriness.
Important: Increasing resolution beyond 300 DPI is generally unnecessary. It doesn't noticeably improve quality but significantly increases file size.
Lower resolutions (like 72 DPI, which is standard for web) will result in poor print quality, making your stickers look fuzzy or pixelated.
Resolution Comparison
Web-standard resolution. Results in pixelated, blurry prints when magnified. Text will appear jagged.
Acceptable for very large format prints viewed from a distance. Not recommended for detailed stickers.
Perfect balance of quality and file size. Produces crisp, professional prints with sharp details.
Bleed & Safe Zone Guidelines
Understanding Bleed
Bleed is the area that extends beyond the final cut size of your sticker. It's a crucial element in professional printing that prevents unwanted white edges around your design.
Required: Add 3mm bleed on all sides of your artwork. For example, if your finished sticker is 80mm × 80mm, your artwork file should be 86mm × 86mm.
Safe Zone
The safe zone is the area within your design where all important elements (text, logos, etc.) should be placed to ensure they don't get cut off during production.
Keep all essential content at least 3-5mm away from the cut line (the edge of your finished sticker size).
Bleed & Safe Zone Diagram
Accepted File Formats
We accept the following file formats for your sticker artwork. Vector formats are preferred as they maintain quality at any size.
Portable Document Format
Our most recommended format. PDFs preserve all elements of your design exactly as intended.
Export with "Press Quality" setting
.AI
Adobe Illustrator
Vector format ideal for logos and designs requiring perfect scaling. Maintains quality at any size.
Save with outlined text and embedded images
.EPS
Encapsulated PostScript
Industry-standard vector format compatible with most design software.
Convert text to outlines before saving
.PSD
Photoshop Document
Raster format that preserves layers. Good for photo-based designs. Ensure 300 DPI resolution.
Flatten all effects and transparencies
.CDR
CorelDRAW
Vector format created with CorelDRAW software. Supports complex designs.
Convert text to curves before saving
.JPEG/.PNG
Raster Image Formats
Acceptable but not preferred. Must be at least 300 DPI at the desired print size.
May compromise quality for detailed designs
Need file conversion help? Our design team can assist if you're unable to provide files in the formats listed above. Contact us for our free design service with your order.
Color Management
CMYK vs RGB
All artwork for printing must be submitted in CMYK color mode (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black), not RGB (Red, Green, Blue). RGB is designed for digital screens and will not print as expected.
Important: Colors will appear different on your screen (RGB) than they will in print (CMYK). Always check your design in CMYK mode for accurate color representation.
Converting RGB to CMYK can sometimes cause colors to appear duller or slightly different than on screen. This is normal and expected in the printing process.
Converting RGB to CMYK
In Adobe Illustrator:
- Go to File > Document Color Mode > CMYK Color
- Select all elements (Ctrl+A)
- Go to Edit > Edit Colors > Convert to CMYK
In Adobe Photoshop:
- Go to Image > Mode > CMYK Color
- Save your file after conversion
Pantone Colors: If you need specific brand colors, we can match Pantone colors. Please specify your PMS colors in your design or order notes.
Text & Font Guidelines
Font Requirements
To ensure your design prints exactly as intended, all fonts must be either:
- Converted to outlines/curves (preferred method)
- Embedded in the PDF file
- Included separately with your submission
Converting text to outlines/paths turns letters into vector shapes, ensuring they appear exactly as designed, regardless of whether we have the font installed on our system.
Minimum Font Size: For best readability, use fonts no smaller than 6pt for solid colors and 8pt for reversed-out text (light text on dark background).
Converting Text to Outlines
In Adobe Illustrator:
- Select all text elements
- Go to Type > Create Outlines (Shift+Ctrl+O)
- Text will now be vector objects
In CorelDRAW:
- Select all text
- Go to Text > Convert To Curves (Ctrl+Q)
Important: After converting text to outlines, you can no longer edit the text content. Save a backup copy of your file with live text before converting.
Avoiding Common Artwork Mistakes
Common Issues to Avoid
- Submitting low-resolution images (below 300 DPI)
- Artwork in RGB instead of CMYK color mode
- Missing bleed area or designs that go right to the edge
- Important elements too close to the cut line
- Unoutlined fonts or missing font files
- Incorrect file dimensions (not accounting for bleed)
- Flattened files with no layers for complex designs
- Using web-resolution images (72 DPI) in print designs
- Transparencies or effects not flattened
- Incorrect file formats (like GIF or BMP)
Step-by-Step Artwork Setup Guide
Set Up Your Document
- Create a new document in your design software
- Set the size to your final sticker dimensions plus 3mm bleed on each side
- Set the color mode to CMYK
- Set resolution to 300 DPI
Example: For an 80mm × 80mm sticker, create an 86mm × 86mm document
Set Up Guidelines
- Create guides at 3mm from each edge to mark the trim line
- Create additional guides at 6-8mm from each edge to mark the safe zone
- Ensure your design extends to the edges of the document (full bleed)
Remember: Keep all important elements (text, logos) within the safe zone
Create Your Design
- Place all elements in your design, keeping important content within the safe zone
- Ensure background elements extend to the edges of the document (into the bleed area)
- Use CMYK colors for all elements
- Check that all images are at least 300 DPI
Prepare for Submission
- Convert all text to outlines/paths
- Flatten any transparencies or effects
- Check one last time that your design extends to the document edges
- Save your file in one of our accepted formats (PDF preferred)
Tip: Keep a copy of your file with live text and unflattened effects for future editing
Submit Your Order
- Upload your prepared artwork file during the ordering process
- Note any special requirements in the order comments
- Wait for our prepress team to check your file and provide a proof
Note: We'll check your artwork and contact you if there are any issues that need addressing
Need Help with Artwork?
Don't worry if you're struggling with these technical requirements. Our professional design team is here to help!
FREE Design Service
StickerPrintingPress offers a complimentary design service for all orders. Our experienced designers can:
- Create artwork from your basic ideas or sketches
- Fix technical issues with your existing files
- Convert RGB to CMYK correctly
- Add proper bleed and prepare files for printing
- Format your design for optimal print quality
Frequently Asked Artwork Questions
What if I don't have professional design software?
You can use free alternatives like GIMP, Inkscape, or Canva to create your artwork. Just ensure you follow our guidelines for resolution, color mode, and file format. Alternatively, take advantage of our free design service.
Can I use images from the internet for my stickers?
Most images found online are protected by copyright and cannot be legally used without permission. Additionally, they're usually low resolution (72 DPI) and unsuitable for printing. We recommend using stock photos with proper licensing or your own original artwork.
Why do my printed colors look different from what I see on screen?
Computer screens use RGB color (additive) while printing uses CMYK (subtractive). This fundamental difference means some colors – particularly bright blues, pinks, and neons – will appear different when printed. Converting your design to CMYK before submitting gives a more accurate preview.
Do you provide templates for specific sticker sizes?
Yes, we can provide templates for standard sizes upon request. Contact our customer service team, and we'll send you appropriate templates with bleed and safe zones marked.
What if my artwork needs adjustments after submission?
Our prepress team checks all artwork before printing. If we spot any issues, we'll contact you with recommendations for adjustments. If you need to make changes after submitting, please contact us as soon as possible through email, phone, or live chat.
Ready to Order Your Custom Stickers?
Now that you understand how to prepare perfect artwork, it's time to bring your sticker ideas to life!
Printing Terms Glossary
Bleed: Extra artwork that extends beyond the trim edge to ensure no white borders appear after cutting.
CMYK: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black) - the four color process used in printing.
Die Cut: Cutting process that creates stickers in custom shapes rather than standard squares or circles.
DPI: Dots Per Inch - a measure of print resolution; higher DPI equals better detail.
Kiss Cut: Cutting through the sticker material but not through the backing paper.
Pantone/PMS: Pantone Matching System - standardized color reproduction system for matching specific colors.
Raster Image: Pixel-based image format (JPEG, PNG) that can lose quality when enlarged.
RGB: Red, Green, Blue - color mode used for digital displays but not suitable for printing.
Safe Zone: Area inside the trim line where important elements should be placed to avoid being cut off.
Vector Image: Mathematical-based image format (AI, EPS) that maintains quality at any size.