At Elite Press Ltd, we want every print order to look its best. Whether you're ordering business cards, leaflets, brochures, posters, banners or promotional materials, preparing your artwork correctly helps us deliver professional-quality printing and avoid unnecessary production delays.

Our printing guidelines explain the essential requirements for colour settings, image resolution, bleed, safe margins, page layout and PDF preparation.

Please follow these recommendations before uploading your artwork. Some products have specific requirements, so always check the artwork specifications for your chosen product.

Colour Settings – CMYK vs RGB

For professional printing results, we recommend preparing your artwork in CMYK colour mode (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black), unless your chosen product specifies otherwise.

• CMYK: Recommended for most full-colour printed products, including business cards, leaflets, brochures and posters.
• RGB: Primarily used for digital screens. RGB artwork may produce different colours when converted for printing.
• Pantone Colours: Specific brand colours may require special printing arrangements. Please contact us before ordering if accurate colour matching is essential.
• Colour Accuracy: Printed colours may vary slightly depending on the printing process, paper stock, materials and screen calibration.

Image Resolution – 300 DPI

High-resolution images help produce sharp, professional-quality prints.

• Standard Printing: Use images with an effective resolution of 300 DPI at their final printed size.
• Logos and Graphics: Use vector artwork where possible to maintain sharp edges and clear details.
• Large-Format Printing: Banners, signage and exhibition displays may require different image resolutions depending on their dimensions and viewing distance.
• Image Quality: Avoid enlarging small, low-resolution images, as this can result in blurry or pixelated prints.

Important: Always check the artwork specifications for your chosen product before submitting your files.

Page Size and Document Setup

Before submitting your artwork, ensure that your document is prepared to the correct specifications for your chosen printed product.

• Finished Size: Set your document to the required final printed dimensions (Trim Size).
• Orientation: Ensure portrait or landscape orientation is correct and consistent.
• Page Order: Supply multi-page documents as individual pages in the correct reading order, rather than printer spreads, unless otherwise specified.
• Artwork Templates: Use the product-specific artwork template where available.

Bleed – Allow 3 mm Beyond the Trim Edge

Bleed is the additional artwork extending beyond the finished cutting edge. It helps prevent unwanted white borders when printed materials are trimmed.

• For most standard printed products, allow 3 mm bleed on each side.
• Extend background colours, photographs and graphics into the bleed area.
• Do not place important text or logos within the bleed area.
• Some products require different bleed allowances. Always follow the specifications for your chosen product.

• Safe Margins – Protect Important ContentSafe margins help prevent important information from being cut off during trimming.
  • Keep essential text, logos and graphics at least 5 mm inside the finished trim edge for most standard printed products.
  • Allow additional space for folding, binding, stitching or finishing where required.
  • Check that all important information remains comfortably within the safe area.

• Example: A5 Leaflet
  • Finished size: 148 × 210 mm
  • Bleed: 3 mm on each side
  • Artwork size including bleed: 154 × 216 mm
  • Recommended safe margin: 5 mm inside the finished trim edge

Save and Export Your Artwork as a Print-Ready PDF

For most printed products, Elite Press Ltd recommends supplying artwork as a high-quality, print-ready PDF. A correctly prepared PDF helps preserve your design, fonts, images and layout throughout the printing process.

Recommended PDF Export Settings

• File Format: Save your artwork as an Adobe PDF (Print).
• PDF Standard: Use PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4, depending on the requirements of your chosen product and print supplier.
• Colour Mode: Use the appropriate CMYK colour settings and colour profile for your printing requirements.
• Image Quality: Maintain an effective resolution of approximately 300 DPI for standard printed products.
• Bleed: Include 3 mm bleed on each side for most standard printed products, unless otherwise specified.
• Fonts: Embed all fonts or convert them to outlines where appropriate.
• Transparency: Preserve transparency when using PDF/X-4. PDF/X-1a requires transparency flattening.
• Crop Marks: Include crop marks only if specifically requested.
• Security: Do not password-protect or encrypt your print-ready PDF.

Page Order and Layout

For multi-page documents such as brochures and booklets:

• Supply pages in the correct reading order.
• Export individual pages rather than printer spreads unless instructed otherwise.
• Ensure all pages have consistent dimensions and orientation.
• Check that any binding margins, spine widths and finishing allowances meet the product requirements.

Before Submitting Your PDF

Open your exported PDF and carefully check:

1. All text, images and graphics appear correctly.
2. Fonts are displayed properly.
3. Colours and image quality are suitable for printing.
4. Bleed and safe margins are correctly applied.
5. No pages, images or design elements are missing.
6. The document dimensions match your order.

Important: Different products and printing processes may require specific PDF settings. Always follow the artwork requirements provided for your selected Elite Press product.

If you're unsure whether your artwork is print-ready, contact our team at team@elitepress.co.uk before placing your order.

How to Export Print-Ready PDFs from Adobe InDesign

Adobe InDesign is widely used for creating professional printing artwork, including brochures, leaflets, magazines, catalogues and booklets.

Follow these steps to prepare your artwork for printing with Elite Press Ltd.

Step 1 – Check Your Document Settings

Before exporting, ensure that:

• Your document dimensions match the finished product size.
• The required bleed is included (typically 3 mm for standard printed products).
• Important text and logos are positioned within the safe margins.
• Images have sufficient resolution for the intended print size.
• Fonts are correctly installed and no links are missing.

Step 2 – Export as Adobe PDF (Print)

1. Open your completed document in Adobe InDesign.
2. Select File ? Export.
3. Choose Adobe PDF (Print) as the file format.
4. Enter a suitable filename and click Save.
5. Select an appropriate PDF preset, such as PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4, according to the product requirements.

Step 3 – Configure PDF Export Settings

Under the Adobe PDF Export window:

• General: Export as Pages rather than Spreads unless otherwise instructed.
• Compression: Maintain suitable image quality, typically 300 DPI for standard printed materials.
• Marks and Bleeds: Enable Use Document Bleed Settings if your document has been configured correctly.
• Crop Marks: Include only when specifically requested.
• Output: Use the correct colour conversion and output profile for your chosen printing process.
• Advanced: Ensure fonts are embedded and review any transparency settings required by your PDF standard.

Step 4 – Export and Review

Click Export to generate your print-ready PDF.

Open the exported file in Adobe Acrobat and check:

• Page dimensions and bleed.
• Image quality and colour appearance.
• Font embedding and text clarity.
• Correct page order and orientation.
• No missing images, text or design elements.

Important Information

PDF/X-4 supports live transparency and modern colour-managed workflows, while PDF/X-1a uses flattened transparency and a more restrictive colour workflow.

Always follow the artwork specifications for your selected Elite Press product, as individual printing processes may require different settings.

Need assistance? Contact Elite Press Ltd at team@elitepress.co.uk for guidance on preparing your artwork.

How to Export Print-Ready PDFs from Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator is widely used for creating professional artwork, including logos, business cards, leaflets, posters, packaging and promotional materials.

Follow these steps to prepare your artwork for printing with Elite Press Ltd.

Step 1 – Check Your Artwork Settings

Before exporting, ensure that:

• Artboard Size: Your artboard matches the finished dimensions of your chosen printed product.
• Colour Mode: Use CMYK for most standard commercial printing, unless the product specifications require otherwise.
• Bleed: Allow 3 mm bleed on each side for most standard printed products.
• Safe Margins: Keep important text, logos and design elements at least 5 mm inside the finished trim edge.
• Image Resolution: Use images with an effective resolution of approximately 300 DPI at their final printed size for standard printing.
• Fonts: Check that all fonts are correctly installed and displayed.
• Linked Images: Ensure all placed images are available and correctly linked or embedded.

Step 2 – Save Your Artwork as Adobe PDF

1. Open your completed artwork in Adobe Illustrator.
2. Select File ? Save As or Save a Copy.
3. Choose Adobe PDF as the file format.
4. Enter a suitable filename and click Save.
5. In the Save Adobe PDF window, select the appropriate PDF preset, such as PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-4, according to the printing requirements.

Step 3 – Configure PDF Export Settings

Review the following settings before saving:

• General: Select the correct PDF preset and artboards.
• Compression: Maintain suitable image quality for professional printing.
• Marks and Bleeds: Enable Use Document Bleed Settings if your bleed has been configured correctly.
• Crop Marks: Include only when specifically requested.
• Output: Select the appropriate colour conversion settings and output profile.
• Advanced: Review font embedding and any transparency requirements associated with your chosen PDF standard.

Step 4 – Save and Check Your PDF

Click Save PDF to generate your print-ready artwork.

Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat or another suitable PDF viewer and check:

• Correct page dimensions and orientation.
• Bleed and safe margins.
• Sharp images and graphics.
• Correct colours and readable text.
• No missing fonts or linked images.
• No unwanted design elements outside the intended artwork.

Additional Recommendations

• Vector Artwork: Keep logos, illustrations and text as vector elements wherever possible to maintain sharpness.
• Font Outlining: Embed fonts in the PDF or convert text to outlines where appropriate. Always retain an editable original file.
• Transparency: PDF/X-4 supports live transparency, while PDF/X-1a requires transparency flattening.
• Specialist Products: Banners, signage, clothing and promotional products may require different artwork settings or templates.

Important: Always follow the artwork specifications for your chosen Elite Press product. These general guidelines may not apply to every printing process.

Need Help?

If you're unsure whether your Adobe Illustrator artwork is suitable for printing, contact Elite Press Ltd at team@elitepress.co.uk.

Elite Press Ltd – Print Your Vision.

FINAL ARTWORK CHECKLIST

Before You Submit Your Artwork

Before uploading your artwork to Elite Press Ltd, please review the following checklist to help ensure your files are ready for professional printing.

• Correct Dimensions: Your artwork matches the finished size of the selected product.
• Colour Settings: CMYK or the appropriate colour settings have been used.
• Image Resolution: Images are suitable for the final printed size, typically 300 DPI for standard printing.
• Bleed: The required bleed has been included, usually 3 mm for standard printed products.
• Safe Margins: Important text and logos are positioned safely inside the trim edges.
• Fonts: All fonts are embedded or appropriately outlined.
• Images and Graphics: No images, logos or design elements are missing.
• Page Order: Multi-page documents are arranged correctly.
• PDF Format: The artwork has been exported using the appropriate print-ready PDF settings.
• Proofreading: Spelling, contact details, prices and other important information have been checked.
• Product Requirements: Any product-specific templates or artwork instructions have been followed.

Important: Customers are responsible for reviewing and approving the accuracy of their submitted artwork. Please check all details carefully before completing your order.

NEED HELP WITH YOUR ARTWORK?

Professional Artwork Support from Elite Press

Not sure whether your artwork is ready for printing? Our team is happy to help you understand the artwork requirements for your chosen product.

At Elite Press Ltd, we offer a wide range of professional printing and graphic design services, including business cards, leaflets, brochures, posters, banners, signage and promotional materials.

Whether you have an existing design or need help creating something new, we're here to help you achieve professional results.

Email: team@elitepress.co.uk

Website: https://elitepress.co.uk

Explore our printing products: https://elitepress.co.uk

Contact us before placing your order if you need advice on artwork preparation, file formats or product specifications.

Elite Press Ltd – Print Your Vision.