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29 PRACTICAL GUIDES

Print artwork and files, understood.

Most print problems start in the file, not on the press. These guides cover the checks that prevent them: bleed and safe area, resolution at the size you print, vector against raster logos, RGB against CMYK, embedded fonts, and a PDF that prints the way it looks on screen.

Business card files and poster files have guides of their own, because a 3.5 × 2 in card and a 24 × 36 in poster fail in different ways. A standard Voqado business card file is 3.61 × 2.11 in with bleed, with a 0.07 in safe inset. Start with the resolution guide, then the bleed guide, and use the free print tools to check your numbers.

Start here: How to convert pixels to print size.

Colorful print proofs, paper swatches, a ruler and a clean designer workspace with prepared artwork, with electric blue, hot pink, lemon yellow artwork for a fictional artisan bakery.

Print artwork and files · 6 MIN READ

How to convert pixels to print size

Convert pixels to print size by dividing pixel count by PPI. Tables show print sizes for common images and the pixels needed for cards, flyers and posters.

Line diagram comparing three overlapping circles of red, green and blue light that meet at white with three overlapping circles of cyan, magenta and yellow ink that meet near black.

Print artwork and files · 6 MIN READ

CMYK vs RGB for print: what changes on paper

RGB is screen light, CMYK is ink on paper. Which colors shift, how Voqado handles RGB and CMYK files, and how to judge color before a full run.

Line diagram of a standard business card drawn to scale: outer file edge at 3.61 by 2.11 inches, red trim line at 3.5 by 2 inches and blue dashed safe line 0.07 inch inside the trim.

Print artwork and files · 9 MIN READ

Print size chart: every size with bleed and pixels

Finished size, bleed, file size, safe area and pixels at 300 PPI for every flat Voqado product, from the profiles the Studio draws its lines from.

A colorful printed poster proof, small matching color swatches, a metal ruler and a clean crop guide sheet, with cherry red, sky blue, butter yellow artwork for a fictional vinyl record shop.

Print artwork and files · 5 MIN READ

Poster print file checklist: size, bleed, resolution and fonts

What a print ready poster file needs: a PDF at trim plus 0.125 inch bleed, images at 150 to 300 ppi at final size, embedded fonts and a safe margin.

A colorful printed poster proof, small matching color swatches, a metal ruler and a clean crop guide sheet, with orange, electric violet, acid yellow artwork for a fictional community arts club.

Print artwork and files · 5 MIN READ

Poster resolution: how many pixels each poster size needs

Multiply printed inches by pixels per inch: an 18 x 24 poster needs 5,400 x 7,200 pixels at 300 ppi. Pixel tables, crop math and when 150 ppi is enough.

A colorful printed poster proof, small matching color swatches, a metal ruler and a clean crop guide sheet, with magenta, apricot orange, aqua blue artwork for a fictional modern ramen restaurant.

Print artwork and files · 5 MIN READ

Poster bleed and trim: file sizes, safe area and frame allowance

Poster bleed is usually 0.125 inch per side, so an 18 x 24 poster is built at 18.25 x 24.25 inches. File sizes, safe areas and frame allowances by size.

A typographic marketing poster with bold company lettering and abstract geometric artwork, with electric blue, hot pink, lemon yellow artwork for a fictional home renovation company.

Print artwork and files · 5 MIN READ

Poster font size: how big text must be to read from a distance

How big poster text should be for the distance people read it from, using the road sign rule of 1 inch per 30 feet and ADA sign minimums, with a chart.

A colorful printed poster proof, small matching color swatches, a metal ruler and a clean crop guide sheet, with fuchsia pink, emerald green, marigold yellow artwork for a fictional creative design studio.

Print artwork and files · 5 MIN READ

Poster color proofing: why prints look darker than your screen

Why poster colors print darker than on screen, which color proof to ask for, how ICC profiles fit in and how to review a proof in the right light.

A colorful printed poster proof, small matching color swatches, a metal ruler and a clean crop guide sheet, with bright turquoise, watermelon pink, sunflower yellow artwork for a fictional independent coffee bar.

Print artwork and files · 5 MIN READ

How to crop a photo for a poster without losing the subject

Crop a photo for poster printing by matching the ratio of 11 x 14, 12 x 18, 18 x 24 or 24 x 36, comparing fit and fill and checking the pixels you keep.

A colorful printed poster proof, small matching color swatches, a metal ruler and a clean crop guide sheet, with sunshine yellow, peacock blue, raspberry pink artwork for a fictional ceramic maker.

Print artwork and files · 5 MIN READ

QR codes on posters: size, placement and scan distance

How big a QR code should be on a poster for the scan distance, why the quiet zone matters, where to place it and how to test the code before printing.

A colorful printed poster proof, small matching color swatches, a metal ruler and a clean crop guide sheet, with lime green, cobalt blue, bubblegum pink artwork for a fictional independent bicycle shop.

Print artwork and files · 5 MIN READ

PDF or JPG for poster printing: which file format to send

PDF or JPG for poster printing? Compare vector text, fonts, bleed, compression and color, see when a JPG is fine and how to check the file before sending.

A colorful printed poster proof, small matching color swatches, a metal ruler and a clean crop guide sheet, with seafoam green, poppy red, cornflower blue artwork for a fictional urban gardening service.

Print artwork and files · 5 MIN READ

Poster proof checklist: check your own preview and file before you order

A poster proof checklist for content, layout and production details, plus how to check QR codes, handle late changes and record the exact file you ordered from.

Finished business cards beside a larger colorful printed proof and a small color swatch strip, with sunshine yellow, peacock blue, raspberry pink artwork for a fictional pet grooming boutique.

Print artwork and files · 6 MIN READ

Business card bleed: size, template setup and a worked example

How much bleed a business card needs, how to size a 3.5 x 2 inch file with bleed, where the safe area sits and how to check the exported PDF edges.

Finished business cards beside a larger colorful printed proof and a small color swatch strip, with lime green, cobalt blue, bubblegum pink artwork for a fictional neighborhood produce market.

Print artwork and files · 5 MIN READ

How to export a business card PDF for print

Export a business card PDF for print: page size with bleed, embedded fonts, 300 ppi images, color settings, finish masks and a final check before upload.

Print artwork and files · 5 MIN READ

RGB vs CMYK for business cards: which color mode to use

RGB vs CMYK for business cards: why screen colors shift in print, who should convert the file, how to handle black and brand colors, and how to proof.

Print artwork and files · 5 MIN READ

Why your logo prints blurry on business cards and how to fix it

Why a logo prints blurry on business cards: too few pixels, upscaled web files, compression or hidden bitmaps. See pixel targets by size and how to fix it.

Finished business cards beside a larger colorful printed proof and a small color swatch strip, with tangerine orange, royal purple, mint green artwork for a fictional event planning business.

Print artwork and files · 5 MIN READ

How to embed fonts in a business card PDF

How to embed fonts in a business card PDF, when to outline text instead, how to confirm embedding after export and what font licenses allow for print use.

Finished business cards beside a larger colorful printed proof and a small color swatch strip, with lavender purple, tomato red, bright cyan artwork for a fictional neighborhood produce market.

Print artwork and files · 5 MIN READ

Double sided business cards: set the back the right way up

Set up double sided business cards so the back reads upright when the card is flipped. Compare flip directions, file setup and mixed orientation layouts.

Print artwork and files · 5 MIN READ

Vector or raster: which logo file should you send to print

Vector logos are paths that stay sharp at any size; raster logos are pixel grids. Learn which file formats are which and how to check a logo before printing.

Colorful print proofs, paper swatches, a ruler and a clean designer workspace with prepared artwork, with bright turquoise, watermelon pink, sunflower yellow artwork for a fictional ice cream shop.

Print artwork and files · 5 MIN READ

Why screenshots make weak print artwork and what to send

A screenshot is a low pixel raster copy of a screen, not the original art. See how large one can print and what source file to request before printing.

Finished business cards beside a larger colorful printed proof and a small color swatch strip, with seafoam green, poppy red, cornflower blue artwork for a fictional urban gardening service.

Print artwork and files · 5 MIN READ

Business card sizes in inches, millimeters and pixels

The standard US business card is 3.5 x 2 inches. Compare US, European, Japanese, square and slim sizes in inches, millimeters and pixels with bleed.

Colorful print proofs, paper swatches, a ruler and a clean designer workspace with prepared artwork, with ultramarine blue, bright coral, lilac artwork for a fictional artisan bakery.

Print artwork and files · 7 MIN READ

What is bleed in printing? Trim, bleed and safe area explained

Bleed is artwork that runs 0.125 inch past the trim so cuts never show white edges. See file sizes by product, safe areas and a setup checklist.

Colorful print proofs, paper swatches, a ruler and a clean designer workspace with prepared artwork, with cherry red, sky blue, butter yellow artwork for a fictional pet grooming boutique.

Print artwork and files · 6 MIN READ

How to prepare artwork for print: file specs and a proof checklist

Prepare artwork for print with 300 ppi images, 0.125 inch bleed, a PDF with embedded fonts and a careful color check. Includes a file spec table.

Finished business cards beside a larger colorful printed proof and a small color swatch strip, with lavender purple, tomato red, bright cyan artwork for a fictional neighborhood produce market.

Print artwork and files · 7 MIN READ

Business card size in pixels: exact dimensions for print and screen

A standard business card is 1050 × 600 pixels at 300 PPI, or 1125 × 675 with bleed. Full tables for US, European, square and vertical cards and 600 PPI.

Finished business cards beside a larger colorful printed proof and a small color swatch strip, with cherry red, sky blue, butter yellow artwork for a fictional vinyl record shop.

Print artwork and files · 6 MIN READ

How to print business cards from Canva without losing quality

Print business cards from Canva with the right size, bleed, safe margins and PDF Print settings, then catch color and resolution problems before you order.

Finished business cards beside a larger colorful printed proof and a small color swatch strip, with orange, electric violet, acid yellow artwork for a fictional community arts club.

Print artwork and files · 6 MIN READ

Business card template in Word or Google Docs: set it up to print

Use a business card template in Word or Google Docs for home sheets or professional printing, with the page setup, image and PDF settings that keep it sharp.

Colorful print proofs, paper swatches, a ruler and a clean designer workspace with prepared artwork, with bright turquoise, watermelon pink, sunflower yellow artwork for a fictional neighborhood produce market.

Print artwork and files · 6 MIN READ

Printing terms glossary: plain English for print buyers

A plain English printing terms glossary: bleed, safe area, CMYK, PPI, gsm, points, spot UV, saddle stitch, imposition and dozens more, grouped by stage.

Colorful print proofs, paper swatches, a ruler and a clean designer workspace with prepared artwork, with cherry red, sky blue, butter yellow artwork for a fictional pet grooming boutique.

Print artwork and files · 6 MIN READ

Brand colors for print: build a palette that prints true

Turn screen brand colors into print ready values: define CMYK and Pantone equivalents, test on real paper, and set rules so every order matches the last.

Colorful print proofs, paper swatches, a ruler and a clean designer workspace with prepared artwork, with orange, electric violet, acid yellow artwork for a fictional independent bookstore.

Print artwork and files · 6 MIN READ

Pantone vs CMYK: when spot color is worth it for your print

Pantone inks are premixed; CMYK builds color from four inks. Learn how each prints, what it costs, and a simple rule for choosing on cards, labels and boxes.