Is Your Artwork Print Ready?

At Instant Imprints, we love helping you bring your custom designs to life, whether it's a simple logo or a full-color masterpiece. To ensure your artwork prints as beautifully as you expect, we’d like to share some helpful tips on how to prepare "print-ready" artwork for our production process.

What Does "Print-Ready" Mean?

A print-ready file is one that’s properly formatted and ready to go for professional printing without any further adjustments. Here’s what you need to keep in mind when submitting your artwork to Instant Imprints:

• File Format: Your artwork should be in one of the following formats: PDF, EPS, AI, or a high-resolution JPEG/PNG. These formats ensure high-quality printing.
• Resolution: Files should be at least 300 DPI (dots per inch) to avoid blurry or pixelated prints. This is especially important for images and intricate designs.
• Color Mode: Please make sure your design is in CMYK color mode, which is the standard for print. RGB files may not print with the same color vibrancy.
• Bleed Area and Crop Marks: If your design extends to the edges, be sure to include a bleed area (typically 1/8 inch beyond the trim line) and crop marks to indicate where your design should be cut.
• Fonts: To avoid any font issues, convert all text to outlines or embed the fonts directly in the file.
• Size: Your artwork should be scaled to the exact size of the final product.

Special Considerations for Embroidery Artwork

Embroidery designs require a different process than standard printing. To ensure the best results, we require your artwork in a vector file format such as AI, EPS, or PDF. If you're unable to provide a vector file, we offer a digitization service to prepare your design for embroidery.

• File Format for Embroidery: AI, EPS, or PDF are preferred. If you don’t have these formats, our design team can help convert your file.
• Digitization Fee: For designs that need to be prepared for embroidery, we charge a one-time digitization fee of $75 per design. This process ensures your design is stitched with precision and quality. Once converted, you own this design for future use.

Need Help with Your Artwork?

We understand that preparing artwork can be tricky, and we’re here to help! If you need assistance getting your artwork print-ready, we offer a designing fee of $100, which includes up to 3 versions of your finished artwork. Our design team will work with you to ensure the final product meets your expectations. This fee includes any necessary adjustments to make your artwork perfect for printing or embroidery.

Tools for Creating Print-Ready Artwork

If you’re creating your artwork on your own, here are 10 platforms to help you design high-quality, print-ready files, ranging from easy-to-use free tools to more advanced software for professionals:

1. Canva (Free/Paid) A user-friendly platform that allows you to create simple designs, logos, and more using pre-made templates. Great for beginners.
2. Crello (Free/Paid) Similar to Canva, Crello offers customizable templates for social media, logos, and promotional designs.
3. Vectr (Free) A free vector graphics editor that works directly in your browser. It’s a great tool for beginners who need basic vector design capabilities.
4. Gravit Designer (Free/Paid) A free vector-based design tool that’s easy to use for simple designs, but also offers advanced features for more experienced users.
5. Pixlr (Free/Paid) A free online photo editor perfect for basic image manipulation and graphic design.
6. GIMP (Free) A free and open-source photo editing software similar to Photoshop, offering advanced editing features for those with experience in design.
7. Inkscape (Free) A free, professional-grade vector graphics editor similar to Adobe Illustrator, suitable for creating detailed logos and complex designs.
8. Adobe Spark (Free/Paid) Adobe Spark is easy to use and offers simple templates for creating visuals, but integrates with Adobe’s Creative Cloud for more professional projects.
9. CorelDRAW (Paid) A professional design tool for vector illustration, layout, and photo editing. It’s suitable for users with intermediate to advanced design skills.
10. Adobe Illustrator (Paid) The industry standard for creating detailed vector artwork and print-ready files. Ideal for professionals or those looking to invest in high-level design capabilities.

Ready to Submit Your Design?

If you're ready to submit your print-ready artwork or have any questions about the process, feel free to send us a quote request. We’re excited to help bring your custom designs to life!

Quote Request

Thank you for choosing Instant Imprints for your branding needs!