You design a flyer that looks perfect on screen, send it to print and get back a box of flyers with blurry images, colours that look dull and text cut off at the edges. It happens to a lot of small businesses, and it is almost always caused by a few technical details that are easy to get right once you know about them.
This guide covers the print basics that save money and reprints, whether you are ordering business cards, flyers, brochures or signage.
Screens and print use different colour systems
Screens create colour with light, using RGB. Printers use ink, usually CMYK: cyan, magenta, yellow and black. Some bright screen colours, especially vivid blues, greens and oranges, can’t be reproduced exactly with standard CMYK ink and will print duller.
- Set print designs up in CMYK, or check how your design tool converts colours.
- Use your brand’s CMYK colour codes from your style guide. See what a brand style guide is.
- If exact colour matters, such as for signage or merchandise, ask about Pantone spot colours.
Resolution: why images come out blurry
An image that looks sharp on screen may not have enough detail for print. As a general guide, printers ask for images at around 300 dpi at the size they will be printed. A small image pulled from a website or social media will usually look soft or pixelated when printed.
- Use original, high-resolution photos.
- Use vector files for logos. See logo files explained.
- Don’t enlarge small images to fill the space.
Bleed, trim and safe zones
Printers print on larger sheets and trim them to size. Trimming isn’t perfectly exact, so designs need some allowance:
- Bleed: extend backgrounds and images beyond the final edge, commonly by 2 to 3 mm, so there’s no white sliver if the cut is slightly off.
- Trim: the final size of the printed item.
- Safe zone: keep important text and logos a few millimetres inside the trim line, so nothing gets cut off.
Every printer has specific requirements, so download their template or ask before you start.
Fonts and file formats
- Supply a print-ready PDF, which is what most printers prefer.
- Embed fonts or convert text to outlines so the printer’s computer doesn’t swap your font for another.
- Include crop marks and bleed if the printer asks for them.
Paper and finish
Paper choice changes how a piece looks and feels:
- Weight (gsm): heavier stock feels more premium. Business cards are usually much heavier than flyers.
- Finish: gloss makes colours pop, matte looks refined and is easier to write on, and uncoated has a natural feel.
- Extras like spot UV, foil or rounded corners add impact but also cost.
Ask for paper samples if you are unsure.
Proof before you print
- Check spelling, phone numbers, emails, website addresses and prices. Then have someone else check again.
- Scan any QR codes from a printed test at the real size. Need one? Qwirl, our free QR code generator, makes print-ready PNG and SVG files.
- For large or expensive runs, ask for a hard-copy proof so you can see real colours.
- Remember that approving a proof usually means errors are your responsibility.
Signage has extra considerations
Large signs are viewed from a distance, so keep text short and large, with strong contrast. Vector artwork is essential. Check local council rules for permanent signage, and confirm measurements on site before ordering.
DIY or professional?
Simple items like flyers can be designed in-house with good templates. For signage, vehicle wraps, packaging and anything expensive, a designer who prepares files correctly usually pays for themselves. See Canva or a designer?
Need print-ready files?
Madexify designs business cards, flyers, brochures and signage for small businesses across Pakenham, Officer, Beaconsfield, Berwick, Narre Warren, Cranbourne, Clyde and Bunyip, and supplies files set up to your printer’s specifications. See our branding and visual identity services, or contact us to talk about your print design.
This article is part of our Small Business Branding Guide. Browse all our guides on the guides page.
