Artwork guide and design help
Every uploaded file is checked by a person on our production design team. A digital proof comes with every order at no extra cost. This guide covers file set-up, bleed, resolution and color for every Print Shop product, plus our artwork packages when you need help.
Our Artwork Packages
Our four artwork packages below cover fixing a design you already have, custom design, logo redraw and logo creation. Add the right package in the cart below the uploader and leave instructions for fonts, colors and layout.
Artwork Fix
If you already have an editable design file but need it refined, choose our Artwork Fix package.
$7.81$14.99
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.
$23.31$45.99
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.
$7.81$14.99
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.
$28.53$57.99
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)
Print Shop file set-up guide
This guide applies to every Print Shop product, and product pages or our team will note any exceptions to these set-up rules.
File types
Upload a PDF as your first choice, and SVG or Adobe Illustrator (.ai or .eps) files are also accepted. Banners, flags and canvas prints accept high-resolution PNG or JPG, and you should supply one file per product; for double-sided items, put 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, except where a product uses its own template size for pull-up banners, flags or A-frame faces.
Fonts and images
Outline every font and embed every image before exporting so the file stays stable when we open it.
Resolution
Use 300 dpi at the final printed size for cards, stickers, labels and paper products. For large format banners and canvas prints, use at least 150 dpi at the final printed size, and our team will advise on very large sizes.
Color mode and Pantone
Set files up in CMYK color mode. Send the Pantone code and we match it as closely as the printing method allows; screens show color brighter than print, so the proof is a layout and content guide rather than an exact color match.
Cut lines
For custom shapes, put the cut line on its own top layer as a 100% Magenta spot color path. If you have no cut line, our team builds it from your artwork and shows it on the proof, and a 2 to 3mm offset around a die cut sticker gives a cleaner edge.
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 colors solid and opaque on clear film, and on dark colored stocks such as black or navy business cards and menus it keeps text and graphics visible; ask our team first, since white ink is quoted separately on clear stickers.
Special finishes
For foil, raised foil, Scodix and spot UV, supply the finish as a separate spot color layer or a separate file, marking 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.
Your free file check and proof
A member of our design team checks every uploaded file before printing. We flag low resolution, missing bleed, text too close to the edge or a cut line that will not cut cleanly, and suggest the fix. We email the free print-ready file set-up and digital proof within 1 to 2 business days of the order, and nothing is printed until you approve it. Upload artwork on the cart page, or skip the upload and email it after checkout.
FAQ
What file types does Paperlust Print Shop accept?
Paperlust Print Shop accepts PDF as the preferred upload, along with SVG and Adobe Illustrator .ai or .eps files. For banners, flags and canvas prints you can also send high-resolution PNG or JPG. Send one file per product; for double-sided items, place both sides in one PDF with the front page first.
How much bleed do I need and should I include crop marks?
Put 3mm of bleed onto each edge and add crop marks where you can. Make sure text and key details sit at least 3mm inside the trim line. Some products such as pull-up banners, flags and A-frame faces use their own template size, so check the product page or ask us.
What resolution do my images need?
For cards, stickers, labels and paper products, set images to 300 dpi at the final printed size. Large format banners and canvas prints need at least 150 dpi at the final printed size, and our team advises on very large sizes.
Does Paperlust Print Shop check my artwork and will I see a proof before printing?
Yes, a person on our design team reviews 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 and suggest the fix. We email the digital proof within 1 to 2 business days, and no job is printed until you approve it.
How does white ink work on clear stickers and dark colored stock?
White ink is only applied where you request it, so on clear stickers and clear labels any white areas in the artwork stay transparent unless we add white ink underneath. Adding white ink behind a design makes colors solid and opaque on clear film. On dark colored business cards and menus such as black or navy, white ink keeps text and graphics visible; on clear stickers it is quoted separately, so ask the team first.
Do I need to supply a cut line for a custom shape with Paperlust Print Shop?
You can supply one, but it is not required. If you have a cut line, place it on its own top layer as a 100% Magenta spot color path. When you do not have one, our team builds the cut line from your artwork and shows it on the proof. A 2 to 3mm offset around a die cut sticker results in a cleaner edge and makes it easier to apply.
Can Paperlust Print Shop fix or design my artwork?
Yes, Paperlust Print Shop offers four paid artwork packages: Artwork Fix, Custom Design, Redraw Logo and Logo Creation. Add the right package in the cart below the uploader and include instructions for fonts, colors and layout. Production begins after you approve the design.
How long does each artwork package take?
Artwork Fix is completed in 1 working day. Custom Design and Redraw Logo take 2 working days, and Logo Creation takes 2 to 5 working days. This time runs before the proof, and production starts after you approve the design.