From your screen to the finished thing.

Start with the finished piece. Before changing export settings, write down the product, finished size, quantity and how it will be used. A business card, a bound booklet and a vehicle graphic need different preparation. The approved specification and production template come first.

Keep an editable original. Save your working design with its linked images and fonts available to you. Export a separate PDF for review so the original remains intact. If you only have an Illustrator, Photoshop, Word or PowerPoint file, you can still start a request. Tell the studio what software created it and whether you need help converting it.

Trim, bleed and safe area do different jobs. Trim is the intended finished edge. Bleed allows artwork to extend beyond that edge where the process requires it. The safe area keeps critical text and logos away from finishing tolerances. There is no single allowance that works for every product: request the template for your selected format before setting these values.

Resolution depends on size and viewing distance. An image that looks sharp on a screen may not hold up when enlarged. Supply the highest-quality original you have rather than repeatedly resaving a screenshot. Large-format artwork may be prepared at scale; identify the scale clearly and have the studio confirm it before production.

Colour needs a conversation. Screens emit light and printed materials reflect it, so the two will not look identical. If a specific brand colour matters, provide its reference and ask how it can be evaluated on the proposed material. Do not assume that changing a file’s colour mode guarantees an exact match.

Organise multipage and multidirectional work. Name fronts, backs, pages and separate designs clearly. Supply books in reading order unless requested otherwise. Keep cut paths and special-finish masks identifiable. Do not impose spreads or add printer marks without confirming the required setup.

Check the details that matter most. Proofread phone numbers, addresses, prices, dates and names. Test QR codes at the intended size. Confirm that you have permission to use the artwork and photographs. A proof is your chance to review the current version; quote acceptance and artwork approval are separate actions.

Upload privately. Use the quote’s artwork step or secure portal for production files. Files are quarantined while checks run. AI and office files are accepted for review but may need conversion; a file’s extension does not promise that it can be previewed in a browser.