How to prepare print-ready artwork: bleed, CMYK, resolution and PDF checks

Clean artwork is one of the biggest factors in getting a print job produced quickly. This guide explains the checks that prevent the most common delays before production.

6 minute read
Updated 10 August 2026
Written around practical commercial print production

Start with the finished size and bleed

Build the document at the finished size required by the product. For many standard print jobs, 3 mm bleed on every edge is a common requirement. Bleed extends background colours and images beyond the trim edge so small cutting tolerances do not leave white hairlines. Always follow the product-specific artwork specification if it differs from 3 mm.

A5 finished size: 148 × 210 mm
With 3 mm bleed: 154 × 216 mm artwork size
Keep important text and logos safely inside the trim edge

Use suitable image resolution

For normal close-view printed material such as flyers, business cards and brochures, aim for approximately 300 dpi at the final printed size. Enlarging a small web image does not create missing detail. Large-format work can often use a lower effective resolution because it is viewed from farther away, but the correct target depends on the finished size and viewing distance.

Check resolution at final print size
Avoid screenshots for logos or fine text
Use vector artwork for logos where possible

Prepare colour for commercial printing

Commercial print is normally produced with CMYK inks or toner rather than RGB light. Bright RGB colours can shift when converted for print, especially vivid blues, greens and fluorescent-looking colours. If colour is critical, use the product artwork guidance and ask the print team before relying on a screen preview.

CMYK is the normal colour space for four-colour commercial print
Pantone or spot-colour work may need a separate production route
Screens are not a colour-accurate contract proof by default

Export a clean PDF

PDF is usually the safest delivery format because it keeps page size, fonts and vector objects together. Before exporting, remove hidden objects outside the artwork, confirm the page count and make sure all linked images are available. Fonts should be embedded or converted appropriately by the application used to create the file.

Confirm the correct page size
Include bleed where required
Embed fonts and images
Check the PDF visually after export

What HOLO Print checks before production

Artwork checks are designed to catch obvious production risks such as wrong page size, missing bleed, low-resolution graphics or files that do not match the ordered specification. A file check is not the same as proofreading, so names, dates, phone numbers, prices and spelling should still be checked by the customer before approval.

Common questions

Questions customers ask before printing

How much bleed should I add for printing?

Many standard HOLO Print products use 3 mm bleed on each edge, but the product-specific artwork specification should always take priority.

Should print artwork be RGB or CMYK?

CMYK is normally preferred for commercial four-colour printing. RGB files can be converted, but some bright screen colours may change when reproduced in print.

Is 300 dpi always required?

Around 300 dpi at final size is a good target for normal close-view print. Large-format graphics can use different effective resolutions depending on size and viewing distance.

What file format is best for professional printing?

A correctly exported PDF is usually the safest choice because it preserves page size, fonts and vector artwork more reliably than a screenshot or office-document file.