Artwork Tips & Tricks — VisuFlare
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Artwork Tips & Tricks
Great prints start with great files. A few minutes of prep up front means cleaner output, fewer proofing rounds, and faster turnaround. Here's how to set your artwork up for success.
The four essentials
Get these right and you're 90% of the way there.
Color Mode
CMYK
Build in CMYK from the start. RGB colors shift when printed.
Bleed
0.25–0.5"
Extend artwork past the trim edge so there are no white slivers.
Safe Zone
0.5–1"
Keep text and logos inside this margin from every edge.
File Format
Print-ready PDF
PDF/X with fonts outlined and images embedded. TIFF/EPS also welcome.
Resolution by viewing distance
The single most common question: "What DPI do I need?" The answer depends on how far away people will stand. The farther the view, the lower the resolution required — the eye simply can't resolve fine detail at a distance, so higher DPI just bloats your file with no visible gain.
| Viewing Distance | Minimum DPI | Optimal DPI | Typical Use |
|---|
| 1–3 ft | 150 | 300 | Posters, close-up wall & window graphics |
| 3–10 ft | 75 | 150 | Trade show displays, storefront graphics |
| 10–25 ft | 50 | 75 | Large banners, wall murals |
| 25–50 ft | 25 | 50 | Building & large exterior graphics |
| 50+ ft | 15 | 25 | Billboards, stadium graphics |
Rule of thumb: pick your viewing distance, then add ~25% to the DPI for a safety margin. These figures are at full (1:1) print size — see the scaling tip below.
Pro tips & tricks
✓
Keep text and logos as vectors
Vector art (from Illustrator, or vector PDF/EPS) prints razor-sharp at any size. Outline your fonts or package them so type doesn't reflow or substitute on our end.
✓
Build to scale — and label it
Design at full size when you can. For very large pieces, work at a clean fraction (1/2, 1/4, or 1/10) and note the scale. Remember: a file at 25% scale needs 4× the DPI to hit the target at full size.
✓
Keep resolution consistent
Don't pair a crisp hi-res photo with a low-res logo pulled off a website. Mismatched quality reads as unprofessional — match all elements to the same standard.
✓
Mind your color — and ask for a proof
Convert to CMYK before you finish so you see print-accurate color. For brand or Pantone matches that have to be exact, request a proof before the full run.
✓
Embed and flatten
Embed all linked images and flatten transparency before exporting. This prevents missing-image surprises and keeps effects from rendering differently than you intended.
Common mistakes to avoid
Do
- Match DPI to the real viewing distance
- Add bleed and respect the safe zone
- Send a single, flattened print-ready PDF
- Note the scale if not built 1:1
- Double-check final dimensions before export
Don't
- Use 72-DPI web graphics for close-up prints
- Send 300 DPI for a far-viewed mural (file bloat)
- Leave fonts live and un-packaged
- Design in RGB and hope for the best
- Place type right up against the trim edge
Not sure your file is right?
Send it over before you order — we'll review it and flag anything that needs adjusting, so your job prints right the first time.
When in doubt, ask — a quick check beats a reprint every time.
