Artwork guide and design help
Every file you upload to Paperlust Print Shop is checked by a person before printing, and a digital proof comes with every order at no extra cost. Use this guide to set up your files correctly, or add an artwork package if you would rather we handle the design.
Our Artwork Packages
Add an artwork package in the cart when you would like us to fix or design your artwork. Choose from Artwork Fix, Custom Design, Redraw Logo or Logo Creation, and leave instructions for fonts, colours and layout.
Artwork Fix
If you already have an editable design file but need it refined, choose our Artwork Fix package.
$9.90$19.00
Package Inclusion
- Scaling and cropping artwork to size
- Changing colour for vector elements
- Adding texts, logo and images
- Re-arrange layout
- Background removal
- Custom dieline creation (for complex shapes)
What we need from you
- Editable file in PDF or SVG format
- Elements you want to add (logo, fonts, images)
Custom Design
Our Custom Design package gives you a bespoke design from a dedicated professional designer. We offer two design options and three rounds of revisions, so you can refine the design to perfection.
$29.90$59.00
Package Inclusion
- Dedicated professional designer assistance
- Two design options on first proof
- Three rounds of revision
What we need from you
- Elements you want to add (logo, texts and images)
- Design reference (font style, layout, colours)
Redraw Logo
Low‑resolution logos don’t print well. With our Logo Redraw service, we reproduce your logo as a crisp vector file (solid colour logos only), making it scalable for any size.
$9.90$19.00
Package Inclusion
- High resolution logo
What we need from you
- Your logo (solid colour logo only)
Logo Creation
Need a brand‑new logo? our Logo Creation package offer two initial logo concepts and provides three rounds of revisions. You simply share your business details and style preferences (fonts, layouts, colours) and we do the rest.
$36.90$75.00
Package Inclusion
- Dedicated professional designer assistance
- Two design options on first proof
- Three rounds of revision
What we need from you
- Design reference (font style, layout, colours)
- Overview of your business (we will provide a questionnaire)
File set-up guide
This set-up guide applies to every Paperlust Print Shop product, while individual product pages note any template exceptions.
File types
Preferred files are PDF first, then SVG and Adobe Illustrator (.ai or .eps) files. Banners, flags and canvas prints also accept high resolution PNG or JPG; send one file per product and, for double sided items, place both sides in one PDF with the front first.
Bleed and safe area
Add 3mm bleed on every edge and include crop marks where you can. Keep text and important details at least 3mm inside the trim line; some products use their own template size, such as pull-up banners, flags and A-frame faces.
Fonts and images
Convert every font to curves (outline it) and embed every image before you export your file. This keeps type and placed artwork stable when we open the file in prepress.
Resolution
Photos should be 300 dpi at the final printed size for cards, stickers, labels and paper products. Banners, canvas prints and other large format pieces need at least 150 dpi at the final printed size, and the team advises on very large sizes.
Colour mode and Pantone
Set files up in CMYK colour mode. To match Pantone references, send the Pantone code and we match it as closely as the printing method allows; screens show colour brighter than print, so the proof is a guide to layout and content, not an exact colour match.
Cut lines
For custom shapes, put the cut line on its own top layer as a 100% Magenta spot colour path. If you have no cut line, our team builds one from your artwork and shows it on the proof.
White ink
On clear stickers and clear labels, white areas in your artwork stay transparent unless white ink is added underneath; white ink behind a design makes colours solid and opaque on clear film, and it is quoted separately on clear stickers, so ask the team. On dark coloured stocks such as black and navy business cards and menus, white ink keeps text and graphics visible.
Special finishes
For foil, raised foil, Scodix and spot UV, supply the finish as a separate spot colour layer or a separate file. Mark exactly what gets the finish.
Small text and codes
Keep body text at least 8pt and fine print at least 6pt on labels and cards. For large format printing, keep text above 6pt and make barcodes and QR codes larger.
File check and proof
A person on our production design team checks every uploaded file before printing. If we see low resolution, missing bleed, text too close to the edge or a cut line that will not cut cleanly, we flag it on the proof and suggest the fix. Your digital proof is emailed within 1 to 2 business days of the order, and nothing is printed until you approve it. Upload artwork on the cart page or email it after checkout.
FAQ
What file types does Paperlust Print Shop accept?
Paperlust Print Shop accepts PDF files as the preferred format, along with SVG and Adobe Illustrator (.ai or .eps) files. For banners, flags and canvas prints you can also supply a high resolution PNG or JPG. One file is enough for each product; for double sided items, put both sides in a single PDF and place the front first.
How much bleed do I need to add for Paperlust Print Shop, and are crop marks required?
We ask for 3mm of bleed on every edge, and crop marks are helpful wherever you can include them. Place all text and important details at least 3mm inside the trim line. For some products such as pull-up banners, flags and A-frame faces, the product page or our team will give you the template size to use instead.
What resolution do my images need for printing?
Aim for 300 dpi on cards, stickers, labels and paper products, measured at the size the item will print. For large format pieces like banners and canvas prints, 150 dpi at the final printed size is enough, and our team can advise when a job is very large.
Does Paperlust Print Shop check my artwork and show me a proof before printing?
Yes. Before anything prints, a member of our production design team reviews your uploaded file. We email your proof within 1 to 2 business days of the order, and production waits for your approval.
How does white ink work on clear stickers and dark coloured stock at Paperlust Print Shop?
White ink behaves according to the stock. On clear stickers and clear labels, any white in your artwork stays transparent unless we add white ink underneath, which makes the colours solid and opaque on clear film; before choosing clear stickers, ask our team because white ink is quoted separately. On dark coloured stocks such as black and navy business cards and menus, white ink keeps text and graphics visible. For white ink menus, set every element in solid black on a white background and we print it in white.
Do I need to supply a cut line for a custom shape?
No, you do not need to supply a cut line; our team can create it for you. If you do supply one, place it on its own top layer as a 100% Magenta spot colour path. Without one, we will build the cut line from your artwork and show it on the proof.
Can Paperlust Print Shop fix or design my artwork?
Yes. We offer four paid artwork packages: Artwork Fix, Custom Design, Redraw Logo and Logo Creation. Add the package in the cart below the uploader and leave instructions for fonts, colours and layout. Our team will either refine your existing design or create one for you.
How long does each artwork package take?
Artwork Fix takes 1 working day, Custom Design takes 2 working days, and Redraw Logo takes 2 working days. Logo Creation takes 2 to 5 working days. Package time runs before the proof, and production starts after you approve it.