Read on Twitter
So many artists are not painting in the right dimensions for prints... please take note the right way to make your artworks print quality:
1. ALWAYS make sure your canvas in wdv format is set to 300dpi no less. if you HAVE to use a lower res image, always ensure it doesnt go below 150-200dpi for clear non-pixelated printable artwork.
2. ALWAYS scale down not up.
Paint larger that your intended size to print is always a good practice. especially for when u suddenly want to print in a larger format u will have that option available. Also, painting big and scaling down ensures your image is always highres
Paint larger that your intended size to print is always a good practice. especially for when u suddenly want to print in a larger format u will have that option available. Also, painting big and scaling down ensures your image is always highres
3. Make it a practice to have a bleed
Bleed is a border surrounding your artwork that ensures that when your print is cut to size there wont be any white borders where there shouldn't be. its to minimize cutting error even if ur cutting on ur own its good to have in case
Bleed is a border surrounding your artwork that ensures that when your print is cut to size there wont be any white borders where there shouldn't be. its to minimize cutting error even if ur cutting on ur own its good to have in case
ideal size for bleed is 3mm - 5mm depending on the size of your print. (larger prints might require larger bleeds)
4. Print ready files
Usually printers will request highres PDF with crop and bleed marks.
Make sure ALL pictures are embedded/rasterized if u send in PSD or AI files.
For PDF made in AI, always path your fonts (make it a vector) to minimize issue with missing fonts
Usually printers will request highres PDF with crop and bleed marks.
Make sure ALL pictures are embedded/rasterized if u send in PSD or AI files.
For PDF made in AI, always path your fonts (make it a vector) to minimize issue with missing fonts
5. Don't send in working files. Send in flat files.
Working files are clunky & big with layers etc. Always send printers FLAT files. meaning merged layers and just as simple as you can go with your file without destroying your work. Of course always retain a copy of ur original
Working files are clunky & big with layers etc. Always send printers FLAT files. meaning merged layers and just as simple as you can go with your file without destroying your work. Of course always retain a copy of ur original
6. DO NOT save printable files in PNG format.
PNG is for web and uses RGB colour base while printables should always be in CMYK format.
JPG is ok but should be last resort as the it loses quality the more time its saved.
PNG is for web and uses RGB colour base while printables should always be in CMYK format.
JPG is ok but should be last resort as the it loses quality the more time its saved.
If ur doing transparent PC or sticker, you may save as PSD file. As much as possible try not to resort to using PNG if you can.
끝
oh yes and in some cases especially in AI, when exporting pdf, gradient/opacity might not reflect on the PDF. do check and if that happens, save as tiff or jpg format. PDF can be iffy with certain elements so always check what ur sending out
Also add on to 4
if ur AI file has too many linked images, it is fine to not embed them and just package them for the printer. CS6 and above has this function under File. It will consolidate all links and used fonts into a folder which u can zip and send over
if ur AI file has too many linked images, it is fine to not embed them and just package them for the printer. CS6 and above has this function under File. It will consolidate all links and used fonts into a folder which u can zip and send over
print-ready pdf preview example
this is how ur PDF for print should look like: the bleed is the small section of ur artwork that 'bleeds' past the crop marks at the corners. On the right u can see page 2 of the PDF. the background is white = it will print transparent as shown
this is how ur PDF for print should look like: the bleed is the small section of ur artwork that 'bleeds' past the crop marks at the corners. On the right u can see page 2 of the PDF. the background is white = it will print transparent as shown
if ur working in PS and u use the blending tool/gradients a lot like me, u might experience banding(the spazzing of ur gradient basically) when exporting ur artwork. i realised working in 16-bit instead of 8-bit works to smooth out the gradients and get rid of this issue
Add on to point 2: if ur still not sure how to size ur canvas a tip is to go AT LEAST double the intended print size. Eg. printing A5, set canvas to A4. if ur not sure and might want to print larger artworks in the future, u can set to 600dpi & scale up. the bigger the better
